Aspirations Partnership School Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Aspirations Partnership is a VSAC implemented program with the goal of building schools’ capacity to graduate all students with a plan for future education and training. The Aspirations School Specialist collaborates with VSAC’s Aspirations team to facilitate, develop, coordinate, and implement college and career planning curriculum, activities, events, professional development, and resources with individual educators and schools throughout Vermont. The School Specialist will also provide support for and develop curriculum for VSAC’s Career and Education Outreach programs that work with middle and high school students.

Must have a satisfactory background check. Driving a motor vehicle is required as a regular part of this position.

JOB FUNCTIONS

School & Educator Focused Work:

• Collaborate and work with Aspirations team to achieve Aspirations’ Partnership goal with schools, groups, and individuals.

• Work with Lead Aspirations School Specialist and team to engage and build relationships with school administrators, counselors, teachers, students, families, organizations, and individuals.

• Coach educational teams and individuals to develop and implement action plans that include college and career planning curriculum, events, field trips, and resources.

• Develop curriculum, events and professional development for educators and families.

• Facilitate retreats, learning experiences and professional development for educators and families.

• Organize, support, and attend educational events as needed e.g, College Night, Middle School Orientation, In-service, Faculty Meetings as needed and relevant to Aspirations’ work.

Aspirations Coordination Work with VSAC Team:

• Collaborate and communicate with Aspirations Team, Senior Evaluator, and local Outreach Counselors for a well-balanced and coordinated VSAC presence

• Develop, document, and support college and career curriculum for VSAC’s Career and Education Outreach programming

• Work with Lead Aspirations School Specialist to evaluate, monitor and strengthen program as needed.

Professional Knowledge:

• Establish and maintain accurate knowledge of state and federal postsecondary trends, programming, and policies.

• Participate in on-going VSAC based professional development.

• Research and attend professional development opportunities related to college and career culture, school change theory, first generation students, and aspiration initiatives

• Maintain a current knowledge of Vermont postsecondary programs, financial aid opportunities, and current career assessment tools.

• Be prepared, reliable, and on time for all work duties

• Able to work independently in remote office setting with a flexible schedule

• Perform other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Education, School Counseling or related field required, or Bachelor’s Degree with equivalent 5+ years of experience.

Experience/Skills and/or years of specific experience:

• Three years of experience in counseling or education

• Experience working with the public-school system, specifically teachers and leadership, to build capacity and collaboratively develop curriculum and programming highly desirable

• Experience working with and coaching school leadership, staff and teachers to provide professional development

• Understanding of secondary (including technical and career) and post-secondary education

• Understanding of career and college pathways, flexible pathways, PLPs and workforce outlook

• Understanding of financial aid, college and career planning, college application process

• Experience working with school age and college age youth

• Understanding the challenges and barriers faced by modest income, first-generation college-bound families and schools with high poverty and low-income populations

• Ability to understand and interpret data

• Ability to develop strong working relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders

• Ability to collaborate and work on a team

• Excellent, demonstrated leadership, facilitation and organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability to work independently

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Comfortable with computer usage (e-mail, word processing, Internet resources)

• Strong skills in operating computers, learning platforms and software like Microsoft Outlook, Google Drive, and others.

• Basic skills in operating computers, keyboard, standard office equipment, and standard office software

(Microsoft Office preferred).

Additional Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver’s license, along with satisfactory DMV motor vehicle check.

• Required to provide one’s own legally inspected registered and insured motor vehicle(s).

• When working away from VSAC offices, required to provide own workspace and furnishings and reliable high-speed internet.

• Must have a satisfactory background check.

• Employment is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining the security clearance required for the position, and satisfactory completion of background investigations.