This is a grant-funded position. Funds for this position are expected to be available up to the end of the school year. In addition to other specified conditions of employment, the applicant understands that no guarantee of continued employment, beyond the availability of the grant funds, is expressed or implied by Texans Can Academies.

Primary Purpose:  

The CTE Specialist (CTES) primary function is to build the CTE campus culture by incorporating Learning Through Interests, Guest Speakers, Field experiences/Leaving to Learn experiences, Mentorship and Internship among the campus student body and serve as the liaison between campus and community. The CTE Specialist will develop and maintain systems to better support both staff and students in the processes around acquiring and maintaining student industry experiences. The CTE Specialist recruits, manages, and nurtures industry resources for the entire school, coordinates systems of communication, and is responsible for data collection concerning real-world learning and industry certifications completed with course alignment. They are directly responsible for supporting the whole school in its development of real-world learning opportunities for students, including but not limited to learning experiences, industry presenters, summer opportunities and volunteer opportunities. Because TCA believes in the highest quality of education for all students, this role will also assist the special services department in providing special education students with transitional services, including career exploration and securing employment opportunities. The CTE Specialist is a member of the school leadership team and provides the whole group and differentiated professional development, community partners for campus events, and coordinates experiences to further strengthen campus culture.

Qualifications:

Education/Certifications/License Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Valid Teaching Credential and/or an administrative credential preferred but not required.
• Must have a valid Texas driver’s license and appropriate insurance.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Minimum of three years experience working in secondary or higher education setting preferred and/or comparable experience in a related field.
• Knowledge of developing partnerships with community businesses for internship, externships and field-trip opportunities for students
• Strong written and speaking skills required.
• Knowledge of and experience working with others in a culturally diverse academic setting and have a desire to work with a diverse population in their efforts to achieve higher education and career goals.
• Knowledge of school-based/intervention procedures, student appraisal and post-secondary transition planning (workforce, vocational, college and career readiness, or military)
• Applicants must be creative, organized, and able to work independently.
• Knowledge and experience with basic computer literacy skills including Microsoft Office, with an emphasis on Excel
• Work Schedule Requirements:
• May be required to work outside of normal work hours including evenings and weekends to be able to provide industry exposure to students. 

Functions & Responsibilities:
Oversight

• Use weekly and/or biweekly check in meetings, advisor meetings, and staff meetings to assist in the learning through interest process.
• Ensure campus accountability around turning in all field experience documentation and following the district field trip process.
• Work with a team to develop and share new materials as needed.
• Must attend monthly CTE meetings with other CTE CFs as a part of their ongoing professional development.
• Must stay current with best practices in real world learning and learning through interests.

Training and Program Development:

• Set and enforce policies for the entire CTE program.
• Training all staff on the CTE accountability.
• Provide additional training/guidance where necessary;
• Train and support advisors and CTE teachers on how to do interest exploration, to brainstorm learning through interest and leaving to learn projects, to manage field experiences and guest speakers, etc.
• Lead CTE staff development around interest exploration and project deepening.
• Provide staff with materials to support students around learning through interest preparation, attainment, project development and ongoing leaving to learn support.

Networking

• Develop and maintain relationships with mentors, including large-scale partnerships.
• Organize Mentor Celebrations two times a year.
• Organize at least 1 Learning Through Interest/Career Fair per year.
• Organize 1 field experience and/or guest speaker per term for each grade level.
• Organize a senior mock interview day.
• Build opportunity for senior capstone presentations.

Data Management and Organization

• Maintain a database of partners for mock interviews, shadow days.
• Maintain an accurate database of Learning to Leave sites and mentor information.
• Collect, analyze & manage documentation (mentor profiles etc.).
• Report data to principal weekly, including certs earned with aligned courses.
• Ensure that all relevant materials are available to advisors, such as mentor guides, mentor profiles, and guest speakers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Equipment Used:

• Personal computer, printer, calculator, copier, fax machine, and audio / visual equipment.

Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Maintain emotional control under stress; work with frequent interruptions. Repetitive hand motions; prolonged use of computer.

======================================================================

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.