Coordinator, Career Counseling (Education Program Specialist II)

The Coordinator of Career Counseling is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive statewide career counseling framework and professional learning program that ensures equitable access for all Maryland students to high-quality, data-informed pathways leading to postsecondary education and workforce opportunities. By collaborating with various teams and offices at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, Local Workforce Boards, and other key partners, this role advances the agency’s mission to provide every student with a world-class education and facilitates a seamless transition into careers or higher education. This vital position utilizes labor market insights, modern counseling practices, and innovative collaboration strategies to align career guidance with Maryland’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Through these efforts, the position drives continuous improvement in career readiness initiatives while cultivating a future-ready workforce—ultimately fulfilling MSDE’s commitment to serving students, families, and communities across the state.Leads the creation and continuous improvement of Maryland’s statewide Career Counseling framework in partnership with MSDE, the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, Local Workforce Boards, and other key collaborators.

• Develops, publishes, and maintains a comprehensive suite of career counseling resources to ensure equitable and consistent program implementation across diverse LEAs.
• Conducts regular needs assessments with LEAs to adapt existing resources and identify new opportunities for program enhancements.
• Provides guidance on integrating Maryland’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future requirements into career counseling policies, processes, and outcomes.
• Coordinates with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with overall college and career readiness objectives.
• Designs, plans, and facilitates in-depth professional development programs and workshops for school counselors.
• Develops and disseminates digital learning modules, resource guides, and toolkits that strengthen counselors’ capacity to address diverse student needs and career aspirations.
• Works with higher education institutions to establish or refine advanced coursework or certification programs that reinforce counselors’ proficiency in career readiness and workforce alignment.
• Collaborates with local, regional, and national experts, CTE Committees, the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, local workforce boards, and industry stakeholders to remain current on innovative counseling strategies and integrating insights into continuous improvement plans.
• Facilitates ongoing collaboration with the to align career counseling programs with emerging workforce needs and opportunities.
• Establishes measurable goals and performance indicators for career counseling programs, tracking progress through dashboards, audits, and regular site visits to LEAs.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant state and federal regulations—including Perkins V and Maryland’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
• Supervises cross-functional teams, working groups, or external vendors contributing to the design and delivery of statewide career readiness programs.
• Recommends policy changes, strategic investments, and new partnerships that advance the state’s long-term goals for student success and economic development.
  
  

Education: A Master’s Degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate coursework in Education or a related area from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Five (5) years of career and technical education program. Experience with student career counseling is preferred. This experience to include providing technical assistance related counseling students for technology education and school to careers is desired.

Notes

• Candidates may substitute a Bachelor's Degree with 7 years of the specified content experience to satisfy the Minimum Qualifications noted above.
• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the position option for one year of the required experience.
• The required field of education and experience are unique for each option and are established by MSDE in accordance with Education Article, Section 2-104 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The specific education and experience qualifications for each position are on record in the Human Resource Management Branch of the Division of Business Services.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Education Program classifications or Education Program specialty codes in the Education field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.
  
  

One year of instructional experience in a college and/or career pathway and at least one year of experience developing 4- or 6-year graduation plans.Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

• Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and issues affecting career and college readiness and technology education.
• Knowledge of the components necessary to strengthen counselors’ capacity to address diverse student needs and career aspirations.
• Knowledge of career counseling resources that help align career counseling programs with emerging workforce needs and opportunities.
• Knowledge of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act.
• Skill in providing technical guidance to internal and external career counseling teams.
• Skill in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating educational programs.
• Skill in organizing and managing multiple tasks, timelines and deadlines.
• Ability to analyze complex career counseling needs and issues and to recommend solutions.
• Ability to analyze available data and make appropriate decisions.
• Ability to take a leadership role in the development and implementation of career technology initiatives.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local school systems, community colleges, business and industry and other stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate with teams at varying levels and communicate effectively.
  
  

Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees.Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified. The resulting list of qualified candidates will be in effect for at least one year.

State Of Maryland Benefits

Applicants must complete the MD State Government online application for employment and submit their professional resume. The application and resume must clearly demonstrate that the applicant satisfies the minimum qualifications for the position. Applications must be complete to be considered including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application, submitted to the fax number, or mailed to the address listed.

If you are unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and be faxed to 410-333-8950 or mailed to MSDE Office of Human Resources, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application. Postmarks will not be accepted.

Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0019, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities. If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. Individuals with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

All application materials must be received in our office by the Closing Date.

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.