Job Description

Job Summary

POSITION: JAG Multi-Year Program Specialist (Grant Funded Position)

The JAG Multi-Year Specialist takes personal responsibility for ensuring that 35-45 high school students who are at risk of dropping out of school and/or failing to successfully transition into the workplace achieve expected outcomes, including graduation and placement into postsecondary education, the workforce and/or the military. To achieve the expected outcomes, the JAG Specialist will provide targeted youth with employability and life survival skills through classroom instruction based on JAG's high school competencies, guidance/counseling, academic remediation, work-based learning experiences, summer activities, postsecondary, and career advisement and provides a twelve-month follow up period following graduation. This position is a full-time, year-round position dedicated 100 percent to the implementation of the JAG Model and responsible for delivering the JAG High School Curriculum. The Specialist is responsible for reinforcing the competency- based lessons during other periods of time in which students and graduates are engaged in the JAG Multi- Year Program.


Students in the Multi-Year Program, targeted for classroom participation, will be those deemed to have a high degree of difficulty in being promoted to the next grade, achieving a successful transition in high school, unclear about high school graduation, postsecondary planning, careers and/or making a successful transition from school to future opportunities. The goals are:


Assure that students are moving through the system and are receiving support to graduate from high school and move into postsecondary education, employment and/or military post-graduation. Create a sustainable system of support throughout the local community for students through graduation and one year of follow-up services and targeted outcomes. Assure high levels of accountability for student success and services provided to all students through the e-NDMS data management system. To achieve expected state and national performance outcomes by providing students with the following opportunities: employability skills, guidance/counseling, academic remediation, career and postsecondary planning, and a twelve-month follow-up period.

Core Competencies:

The Specialist should possess the following Core Competencies:

Leadership

Set a positive example Coach others to create, enhance or maintain effective performance Build quality and consistent relationships with students, faculty and business leaders

Planning

Demonstrates ability to plan and prioritize Assist the Teacher of Record in understanding the deficiencies of the students with regards to the JAG competencies.

Customer Focus

Exhibits a genuine focus on at-risk youth Meets or exceeds customer expectations Uses e-NDMS daily to record student data and to be accountable for program outcomes Understands customer needs and priorities Provides timely service Resolves issues and conflicts with difficult customers or partners

Quality Orientation

Uses and analyzes data to establish a course of action for continual performance improvement Eliminates duplicity Demonstrates a commitment to quality and consistently produces a high (level of) output Recognizes quality problems and takes appropriate action to improve quality outcomes Aims to get it right the first time Thoroughly completes tasks with quality and attention to detail Regularly checks and follows Operating Standards/Processes and Procedures Meets established department productivity standards without reducing quality

Time Management

Meets established deadlines Coordinates work activities to maximize efficiency and effectiveness Keeps socializing from interfering with own and other team members performance Works overtime as needed Manages time off effectively Demonstrates good attendance practices, reports to work on time, is punctual when returning from breaks Adapts to changing priorities

Accountability

Assumes responsibility for tasks Takes initiative to seek new assignments when primary job is completed Regularly meets established deadlines Demonstrates company attendance policy and practices

Innovation

Establishes a process for engaging community leaders and businesses in local activities and providing opportunities for students. Utilizes PBL best practices to fully engage all students in the program Recommends solutions for continual program and/or organizational improvement Volunteers new ideas, actions to achieve goals, and time and effort needed to achieve results.

Continuous Improvement

Eliminates barriers in the flow of new ideas Demonstrates a willingness to change, i.e. use new tools and techniques Contributes suggestions to do things more effectively and efficiently Participates in continuous improvement initiatives Participates in Professional Development

Oral Communication

Actively participates in conversations Adapts own style to suit different circumstances Encourages contributions from all meeting participants Ensures appropriate people are informed of progress or critical information Uses appropriate medium to deliver information or respond to requests Demonstrates cultural sensitivity Effective within and across work groups Reinforces company messages including strategy, values and behavior

Knowledgeable

Demonstrates appropriate skills for the JAG Multi-Year Specialist position Keeps up to date with developments in technical, professional field Learns new tasks well by listening, questioning and trying the new task Works to expand job knowledge and skills Is aware of key stages in the business process and how each function contributes and establishes a cost-effective program Understands the commercial pressures for increasing productivity and continuous improvement

Teamwork

Promotes and maintains positive work environment to promote team member confidence Treats team members with respect Works productively with others and builds on ideas to achieve organizational and individual objectives Implements agreed upon initiatives Participates constructively in team meetings Seeks out new challenges for team members

Primary Job Responsibilities

Establishes a positive and on-going supportive relationship with students, families, principals, administrators and school faculty to support students in the JAG Multi-Year Program. Collaborates with school counselors, advisors, community resources, and teachers to support and reinforce the curriculum and to consistently build support for academic success, career exploration, goal setting, leadership development, college planning, personal counseling, either directly or through linkages in the community to assist in overcoming barriers to graduation and/or success in the workplace. Analyzes student data and barriers and confers with the JAG advisory committee (or School Success Team) to identify and develop a pool of qualified students in need of intensive academic support such as tutoring, extended learning, mentoring, and counseling. Students with multiple barriers to success will be candidates for the program. Deliver the curriculum for the targeted 35-45 students in grades 11 and 12; ensure they receive competency in the 37 core competencies through classroom instruction and Project Based Learning, and as many of the 87 total high school competencies during their high school participation in the JAG program. Administer testing including JAG pre-/post-tests to students in the classroom and document results in the data management system (e-NDMS). Monitor basic skills improvement (TABE or CASAS); provides academic support and remediation including; access to tutoring, study skills, credit recovery to show gains as students' progress toward graduation. Develop, implement and update monthly individualized development plan (IDP) with all students on the program roster. Monitors the attendance, credits needed for graduation, college prep course selection, enrollment in AP and dual credit courses. Serves as a student advocate when collaborating with school staff in developing intervention plans for struggling students and assists in implementing/referring interventions as appropriate. Advocates for the program and creates an employer marketing plan to develop a pool of effective community support resources by working with employers, parents, civic groups, and community leaders to build awareness of and support for this unique program; develop service learning projects, creates a pool of classroom speakers, participates in public relations activities, attends meetings and speaks to community groups. Conducts parent/family outreach and education activities to the students to strengthen family/school partnerships and facilitate career exploration, college selection and financial planning. Builds appreciation for teamwork among students, sense of belonging and commitment to service learning among students by organizing and serving as advisor to the Career Association; create opportunities through hands-on activities, guest speakers and workshops; and organize civic and social development opportunities. Collaborates in supporting a smooth transition between grades; partners closely with other JAG Specialists to support students through continued participation in high school classrooms as appropriate. Provides supportive services to program participants for the 12-month follow-up period post-high school graduation to ensure successful transition to postsecondary education, employment and/or military. If students are non-graduates, JAG Specialists will provide support services to these students to ensure attainment of diploma or GED during the follow-up period. Employers and/or postsecondary advisors are to be contacted 6 times during the 12-month follow-up period to ensure accuracy of data and continued student support. Complies with all documentation requirements from JAG Manager in a timely fashion including student contacts and activities, employer and community organization contacts, and other groups; develops and maintains a well-organized filing and retrieval system for the class. Utilizes e-NDMS for developing student rosters for the classroom. Provides opportunities for student and graduate activity and engagement throughout the summer, documenting activities using e-NDMS. Participates in staff, district, and statewide meetings, and staff development activities within the building, district and statewide as appropriate.

Additional Responsibilities

Perform various school-related functions such as lunch duty; work closely with the school administrator to limit non-JAG Model assignments. Connect the full cohort of students to and/or organize and lead field trips to higher education institutions, business and industry, and other community-based activities and events. Complete special projects and duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in social service, counseling, business, education, or a related discipline is preferred. Equivalent combination of training, education, and experience may be considered. Experience working with students and a knowledge of child development issues. Experience in secondary and/or postsecondary education settings. Skills in human relations, leadership, supervision, and motivational techniques. Ability and interest to work 12 months per year in an on-site position. Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities. Ability to establish appropriate boundaries while developing and nurturing supportive relationships with students. Ability to educate a variety of constituencies and interested parties about the program by developing ongoing relationships and making formal presentations. Ability to support curriculum, instruction, projects and/or other educational opportunities consistent with the goals of the program. Working knowledge of basic computer applications such as word processing, Excel, and electronic data tracking, using the Internet-based Electronic National Data Management System (e-NDMS).

REPORTS TO:

Career Tech Director and Principal

SALARY SCHEDULE:

12-Month Teacher Pay Scale (240 days)

LOCATION:

Anniston High School

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical strength, mobility, dexterity, stamina, and acuity are required to perform job responsibilities. Ability to lift up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 50 pounds occasionally.

EVALUATION:

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with evaluation procedures and Board policy.

Please Note:

All candidates must submit to a background check as required by ALSDE. Employment is contingent upon candidate meeting suitability criteria as established by Alabama State Department of Education. The Anniston City Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religious preference, marital status, disability, national origin, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law. Employees of the District are required to comply with the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments. Anniston City Board of Education is required by state law to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees by using the federal E-Verify program. New employees are required to provide a Social Security number, an unexpired identity document that contains a photograph, and other acceptable documents that establish employment eligibility. In addition to determining whether a new hire is authorized to work in the United States, E-Verify will confirm that the employee's name and Social Security number match.