Assistant Director of Career Pathways, ROAD to Success Project

Assistant Director of Career Pathways, ROAD to Success Project                             

VSC UP – PAT Bargaining Unit, Exempt, Grade 13       

BASIC FUNCTION

To facilitate the development and improvement of career pathways, credentials, and experiential learning to meet the needs of rural Vermont VTSU students, with a specific focus on high-wage and high-demand occupations. To complete the work by engaging in collaborative efforts with diverse stakeholders, including VTSU faculty members and staff, CCV employees, industry leaders, grant partners, and government agencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Collaborate with faculty in their efforts to work with diverse stakeholders, fostering the development and enhancement of articulation agreements, courses, credentials, and structured career pathways specifically tailored to meet the needs of rural Vermont high school students and transfer students from rural CCV campuses. Simultaneously, champion the promotion of high-wage, in-demand occupations within Vermont's rural economy.
• Facilitate culturally responsive professional development for faculty and staff and offer faculty training for course and/or program conversion to online modalities.
• Assist and collaborate with faculty to design and develop engaging, high-quality instructional materials for a variety of learning environments, including online, hybrid, and in-person courses.
• Assist with promoting VTSU courses, including various modalities, raise awareness of articulation agreements, and highlight new credentials to diverse stakeholders.
• Foster connections between rural high school students and high-paying career pathways, collaborating with partners and convening regional rural councils for alignment with local economic needs.
• Collaborate with grant partners and industry leaders to build and maintain community partnerships that enhance rural students' career development and offer comprehensive career services, including goal setting, career exploration, and industry connections.
• Explore and create opportunities for experiential learning and partnerships that contribute to local economic development and create opportunities for students to partner with faculty and industry leaders for undergraduate research opportunities, including opportunities for remote research and internships.
• Assist the Director with continuous assessment of project effectiveness through data analysis, feedback collection, and regular reporting to stakeholders.
• Support the Director with developing a sustainability plan, including funding strategies, partnerships, and community engagement efforts, to ensure the long-term success of the project.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED 

Direct supervision received from the ROAD to Success Project Director.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY 

2-3 student employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Bachelor’s degree in education, business, higher education administration, or other appropriate discipline, plus four or more years of relevant curriculum, career, or workforce development experience, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Experience serving rural populations through educational and/or economic development.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES 

Knowledge: 

• Strong base of knowledge and skills relevant to the project, such understanding of curriculum development, articulation agreements, stackable credentials, and degree program development within the context of higher education, and familiarity with emerging trends in workforce development and educational pathways.
• Understanding of the psychological and cultural characteristics of economically and educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in a rural setting.
• Direct experience working with the project's targeted constituency desirable.

Skills: 

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Proven record of accountability and follow-through.
• Good public speaking and public relations skills.

Abilities: 

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with potential workforce partners, including businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Computer literacy and knowledge of (or willingness to learn) various software systems, and Microsoft programs including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives and cultures.
• Effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.
• Demonstrated positive attitude regarding Vermont State University and a desire to improve student outcomes. 

Location: Any of the four rural Vermont State campuses (Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, or Randolph) with travel requirements to the others.

This position is grant funded by the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) Program under the US Department of Education.  The grant was awarded in January, 2024 for four years and is scheduled to finish on 12/31/27, with the possibility of a no-cost extension.

Rural Opportunities and Development (ROAD) to Success supports students at Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, or Online who graduated from a rural Vermont high school or transferred from a rural Vermont Community College campus to persist at Vermont State University and graduate.

This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes the job classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned to the classification.

Benefits Package

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance 
• Vision Insurance 
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Waiver to Vermont State Colleges
• Tuition Waiver to UVM* for dependent children
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Long Term Disability 
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Medical, Personal, and Vacation Leave    

Vermont State University is a part of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS). VSCS values individual differences that can be engaged in the service of learning.  Diverse experiences from people of varied backgrounds inform and enrich our community.  VSCS strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations.  VSCS is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with ADA requirements, and will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant.  Please contact our HR office for assistance with accommodations at humanresources@vermontstate.edu.  

NOTE: This job could be subject to a fingerprint-supported criminal background check. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the satisfactory results of this check.

* A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS