Education Division Director - College & Career Readiness

State of Vermont•Calais, VT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to serve as the Division Director of College and Career Readiness. This role is a cornerstone of the Agency’s Academics division and will lead the College and Career Readiness "Home Team," overseeing a diverse portfolio that includes Adult Education, Career Technical Education (CTE), Flexible Pathways (Act 77), and Expanded Learning Opportunities. This is a critical leadership position designed to embed college and career navigation into broader system improvement efforts, ensuring that career-aligned learning is a fundamental component of PreK-12 academic proficiency rather than a secondary "overlay" to the traditional curriculum.

Requirements

Master's degree in education, public or business administration, or a related field AND three (3) years or more of professional level program development, supervision, or leadership experience in a large public or private organization OR professional level experience in a state or local education agency at or above the school principal level.
Thorough knowledge of workforce trends, CTE, and Adult Education programs.
Proven skill in managing complex change processes related to Act 77 and new statewide graduation requirements.
Ability to serve as an active member of the Extended Leadership Team and build partnerships with business groups and higher education.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills for representing the Agency to the public and the educational community.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D or Ed.D

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a strategic plan for college and career readiness that aligns with the Agency’s vision and core pillars.
Lead the systemic redesign of educational pathways to ensure K-12, CTE, higher education, and workforce systems are seamlessly aligned to remove structural barriers for students.
Drive initiatives that elevate multiple, equally valued postsecondary pathways, including industry credentials, apprenticeships, and technical careers alongside traditional college enrollment.
Develop and promote policy statements for CTE, Act 77, and Adult Education that uphold state standards while advocating for necessary legislative shifts.
Implement model career navigation policies that embed grade-level competencies into core instruction, starting as early as elementary school to ensure developmentally appropriate career exposure.
Maintain extensive interaction with the State Board of Education, State Legislature, federal officials, and other external stakeholders to support statewide educational transformation.
Establish budget priorities that address the needs of Local Education Agencies (LEAs), specifically focusing on removing barriers in rural and under-resourced areas.
Address "oversubscribed" programs by identifying and securing state and federal funding (including Perkins) to expand program capacity and resolve scheduling and transportation challenges.
Ensure absolute fidelity to federal requirements while maximizing resource flexibility to support local innovation.
Define and measure success broadly by developing tools to track longitudinal outcomes 2–5 years post-graduation, moving beyond simple graduation rates to measure credential attainment and career persistence.
Utilize Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs) as a primary mechanism for tracking both academic proficiency and student-defined success.

Benefits

80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
State defined benefit pension plan
Deferred compensation 457(b) plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
Low cost group life insurance
Incentive-based Wellness Program
Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program