JAG State Director

the South Dakota State Government•Statewide, SD

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The South Dakota Department of Education is looking for a State Director of the Jobs for America's Graduates program in South Dakota (JAG-SD). This position is part of the Division of College, Career, and Student Success, which leads efforts to ensure all students have the experience and support they need to complete high school equipped for success in college, career, and life. JAG-SD is a program supervised by the South Dakota Department of Education and is proven to help students persist through graduation. Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting young people of great promise. JAG-SD Mission: Empowering South Dakota's young people with the skills and support to succeed in education, employment, and life. The JAG-SD State Director is a proactive leader who guides the strategic direction and growth of the JAG program in South Dakota. This position is responsible for statewide program implementation, ensuring alignment with state priorities and national JAG program standards. The JAG-SD State Director provides fiscal management and operational oversight. The State Director works directly with school districts to support high-quality programs that improve outcomes for students facing significant barriers to high school completion. This position will build and maintain strong statewide support from key stakeholders. This includes developing external partnerships across education, business, industry, and philanthropic organizations, as well as other state agencies. The State Director represents and promotes JAG-SD and the South Dakota Department of Education at state and national events. The State Director supervises two JAG-SD program staff. This position reports to the Director of the Division of College, Career, and Student Success.

Requirements

Bachelors degree or higher is required.
Professional experience in business, project management, or education is preferred.
Knowledge of work based learning, career development, and project-based learning for middle and high school students.
Knowledge of common barriers to high school completion.
Knowledge of strategic planning methods that support program growth, continuous improvement, and long-term sustainability.
Skill to collect, analyze, and report data for a variety of audiences.
Skill to communicate ideas and information effectively to a variety of audiences using a range of communication tools and technologies.
Skill to manage financial operations, including budgets, contracts, and grants in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Skill to supervise and develop staff.
Ability to develop and sustain relationships with stakeholders and develop networks to strengthen program supports.
Ability to identify, educate, and onboard potential external partners.
Ability to collaborate effectively with division leadership to help guide the division toward its goals.
Ability to analyze problems and exercise sound judgement when making decisions independently.
Ability to adapt, take initiative, and creatively solve problems.
Ability to actively seek, collect, and evaluate information to learn more about issues, events, and best practices related to effective JAG models.
Must apply online.
All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9.
The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

Nice To Haves

National Career Readiness Certificate of silver or higher preferred.
Professional experience in business, project management, or education is preferred.

Responsibilities

Guides the strategic direction and growth of the JAG program in South Dakota.
Responsible for statewide program implementation, ensuring alignment with state priorities and national JAG program standards.
Provides fiscal management and operational oversight.
Works directly with school districts to support high-quality programs that improve outcomes for students facing significant barriers to high school completion.
Builds and maintains strong statewide support from key stakeholders.
Develops external partnerships across education, business, industry, and philanthropic organizations, as well as other state agencies.
Represents and promotes JAG-SD and the South Dakota Department of Education at state and national events.
Supervises two JAG-SD program staff.