Career Connections (Education Program Specialist)

Ohio Department of Administrative Services•Columbus, OH

About The Position

Serves as an unclassified employee pursuant to O.R.C. Section 3301.13 and performs the following educational and/or research duties: On behalf of the Office of Workforce Readiness and Graduate Success, serves as a subject matter expert for career exploration and planning: Develops and deploys tools and resources for key stakeholders aligned with identified priorities: · Oversees implementation, maintains necessary updates and makes policy recommendations regarding Student Success, Business Engagement and Career Advising; · Assists with development and deployment of a comprehensive career connections framework aligned with intentional K-12 school counseling and high-quality career education delivery models. · Assists with ensuring alignment of career advising materials with in-demand occupations; · Assists with identifying and promoting career-infused learning models and innovative delivery strategies that are scalable and replicable statewide; · Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop and deploy tools and resources that integrate career advising with high-quality career education delivery models. Stakeholder Engagement and Technical Assistance · Cultivates partnerships with workforce and education stakeholders, including Business Advisory Councils, Career-Technical Planning Districts (CTPDs), Career Pathway Support Networks, and professional associations. · Provides technical assistance and guidance to regional education entities, districts, and educators on implementing career connections strategies and CTE integration. · Supports the expansion of middle school CTE programming by advising on access, parity, and program quality. Develops and facilitates professional learning experiences for key stakeholders: · Develop model implementation resources and lead workshops, seminars, and institutes to support local adaptation of state-level frameworks. · Design and facilitate professional development experiences for educators, administrators, and pre-service programs, emphasizing integrated academics, career awareness, and exploration. · Serve as a liaison to regional centers and professional associations to promote consistent implementation of career readiness initiatives. · Supports the implementation and use of career connection learning strategies in classrooms; Develops and sustains partnerships among key stakeholders: · Coordinates with workforce partners to cultivate relationships between education and business (e.g., Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation); · Collaborates with stakeholders across secondary and post-secondary · Collaborates with Job and Family Services and provides guidance on the development, maintenance, professional learning, and technical assistance of the OhioMeansJobs K-12 platform and integrated tools. Provides leadership and advisement to state-level organizations (e.g., Ohio School Counselor Association, Ohio Association for Career Technical Education); · Partners with professional associations and education agencies and promotes career connection programs through public awareness activities; · Communicates with constituents regarding educational issues. Research, Evaluation, and Communication · Analyze program and regional-level data to inform continuous improvement and policy recommendations. · Conduct research on emerging trends in career readiness and CTE to develop guidance and resources. Performs other related duties as assigned: · Represent the administrator at meetings and conferences; draft reports and correspondence to communicate progress and impact.

Requirements

6 years of professional experience in any combination of the following areas: Career advising or exploration within K-12 or postsecondary education Workforce development or business engagement Education program development, implementation, or evaluation Stakeholder collaboration involving schools, workforce agencies, or professional associations
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement tools, resources, and professional learning experiences aligned with career readiness initiatives.
Experience providing technical assistance or guidance to educators, administrators, or regional education entities.
Strong communication and collaboration skills with a track record of engaging diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Serves as a subject matter expert for career exploration and planning
Develops and deploys tools and resources for key stakeholders aligned with identified priorities
Oversees implementation, maintains necessary updates and makes policy recommendations regarding Student Success, Business Engagement and Career Advising
Assists with development and deployment of a comprehensive career connections framework aligned with intentional K-12 school counseling and high-quality career education delivery models.
Assists with ensuring alignment of career advising materials with in-demand occupations
Assists with identifying and promoting career-infused learning models and innovative delivery strategies that are scalable and replicable statewide
Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop and deploy tools and resources that integrate career advising with high-quality career education delivery models.
Cultivates partnerships with workforce and education stakeholders
Provides technical assistance and guidance to regional education entities, districts, and educators on implementing career connections strategies and CTE integration.
Supports the expansion of middle school CTE programming by advising on access, parity, and program quality.
Develop model implementation resources and lead workshops, seminars, and institutes to support local adaptation of state-level frameworks.
Design and facilitate professional development experiences for educators, administrators, and pre-service programs, emphasizing integrated academics, career awareness, and exploration.
Serve as a liaison to regional centers and professional associations to promote consistent implementation of career readiness initiatives.
Supports the implementation and use of career connection learning strategies in classrooms
Coordinates with workforce partners to cultivate relationships between education and business
Collaborates with stakeholders across secondary and post-secondary
Collaborates with Job and Family Services and provides guidance on the development, maintenance, professional learning, and technical assistance of the OhioMeansJobs K-12 platform and integrated tools.
Provides leadership and advisement to state-level organizations
Partners with professional associations and education agencies and promotes career connection programs through public awareness activities
Communicates with constituents regarding educational issues.
Analyze program and regional-level data to inform continuous improvement and policy recommendations.
Conduct research on emerging trends in career readiness and CTE to develop guidance and resources.
Represent the administrator at meetings and conferences; draft reports and correspondence to communicate progress and impact.