Career Connected Learning Specialist

The NWESD aspires to be a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve. We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:

The Career Connected Learning Specialist position focuses on career exploration and preparation activities for students as well as engaging stakeholders to act as mentors for the community and for classroom teachers to help students to learn about career pathways. The intent of the program is to connect students with career pathways, visualize and understand potential job opportunities and how to obtain skills needed, and connect them to work based learning experiences. This position will create a bridge between education and businesses by working with both to create work-based learning and internship opportunities within the community for specific career sectors.

Essential Functions:

The following essential functions may vary slightly based on student age groups.

• Work as a part of the Career Connected Learning (CCL) and STEM teams to develop, coordinate and implement career exploration and preparation events and programming for students.
• Collaborate to cultivate and maintain relationships with schools, community-based organizations, and businesses in support of career connected programming.
• Utilize best practices to implement and lead community and school-based education, exploration/preparation events, career fairs/events, and media campaigns.
• Create programs and infrastructure for a work-based learning and/or internship model for regional school districts.
• Utilize resources to engage businesses to introduce/present STEM and other related career opportunities, career paths, and discussions in a school-based education setting.
• Collaborate with school districts and community-based partners to develop/coordinate work-based experiences focusing on students furthest from opportunity.
• Coordinate and facilitate Career Preparation events within regional schools to ensure implementation and provide necessary resources, planning, and support.
• Collaborate with schools and industry partners to offer career exploration and preparation events that assist students, teachers, and staff in the development of state-required High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP).
• Conduct outreach to businesses, educators, and community members to recruit participants and volunteers for programming.
• Collaborate, participate in trainings and/or other support services with regional districts.
• Partner with other NWESD programs to integrate opportunities for participation and program growth.
• Participate in state level coordination teams representing the NWESD.
• Maintain accurate records of student participation, equitable student access to careers, business participation, and other required data entry or statistics.
• Develop and maintain an inventory of regional events and programming as it relates to career preparation, work-based experience, internship opportunities.
• Implement mechanisms to constantly evaluate programs, identify community needs, and develop new programs when needed.
• Stay up to date of local workforce trends and labor market data.
• Provide direction and oversight to program volunteers and
• Perform related duties as assigned. Related duties may not specifically be listed but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of team driven leadership, best practices, and solutions for the success of the program.
• Knowledge of professional development/training practices appropriate for all ages (from child to adult).
• Knowledge of event planning, coordination, and facilitation.
• Knowledge of inclusionary practices
• Knowledge best practices strategies to engage and support students furthest from opportunity.
• Knowledge of equity for marginalized and family groups including ability, identification, race, ethnicity, and gender orientation.
• Skill in communicating effectively with businesses, educators, and community members.
• Ability to lead, present, and speak on behalf of the Career Connected Learning and STEM teams
• Respond to stakeholders (businesses, teachers, principals, administrators, students) to provide information and recommendations
• Ability to work closely and transparently with the Career Connected Learning and STEM teams.
• Ability to collaborate and work within teams at school, district, region, and state level.
• Ability to collaborate and work with businesses and community-based organizations in shared programming.
• Ability to work flexibly with diverse individuals and/or groups in a wide variety of circumstances.
• Ability to analyze issues, problem solve, and create action plans independently and with a team.
• Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to be flexible, working occasional evenings and/or weekends.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree. Experience coordinating/programming projects with multiple stakeholders required. Experience working in an educational setting and/or experience building partnerships with businesses and workforce partners highly desired. WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance required. Valid Washington State driver’s license and proof of liability insurance required.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Salary is based on 260 day position. Work is performed approximately sixty-five percent (65%) in an office environment and approximately thirty-five percent (35%) traveling within region. Lifts and carries a maximum of twenty (20) pounds.  Adequate manual and finger dexterity, hearing, speech, and vision are necessary to perform the essential functions of this position.

Hazards:  Potential hazards are present since the position requires the incumbent to drive. Hazards may include but are not limited to traveling alone, drive with students, driving in inclement weather conditions, varied road conditions, rush hour traffic, etc.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

It is the policy of the Northwest Educational Service District No. 189 to not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, or citizenship or immigration status.