Career Specialist

Job Title:

Career Specialist/Career Development Facilitator

Salary Class:

CARSPC

Location:

West Florence High School

PCS Code:

230000

Reports to:  

Principal

Position Type: 

Full-Time/Exempt

General Statement of Job 

The Career Navigator will work directly with juniors and seniors enrolled in Florence 1 Schools to recognize and understand employment and education opportunities through high school. The Career Navigator will be the primary liaison between students, guidance staff and the local employers and school systems of Florence 1. The main responsibility will be to develop and facilitate programs that will encourage the appropriate skills and expand the workforce skill-set to meet the needs of the area businesses. Promotes building and educational service center unity by working cooperatively with others, maintaining a positive attitude, and continually working toward ways to improve work processes, efficiency, and quality.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Meets with students individually and in a group setting to provide career readiness training. 
• Provides career development and soft skills training to middle and high school students. 
• Plans a program of study that meets the needs, interests and abilities of students 
• Develops partnerships to support extended learning experiences for students. 
• Creates and implements an internship program for eligible juniors and seniors. 
• Creates a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students; may teach multiple disciplines as assigned. 
• Plans and prepares lesson plans and related activities for individual students or assigned classes. 
• Guides the learning process toward achievement of curriculum goals; establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units and projects and communicates these objectives to students. 
• Employs a variety of instructional techniques and media consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of students involved. 
• Participates in Principal’s Administrative Core Team meetings. 
• Grades work completed by students; maintains accurate records of test scores/grades. Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required. Reports suspected learning and other disabilities to District specialist(s) as appropriate. 
• Maintains accurate, complete and up-to-date records as required by law, District policy and administrative regulation. 
• Assists the school administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct; develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner. 
• Monitors the activities/behavior of the student body as scheduled to ensure student safety and well-being.  
• Develops a catalog of information on trending careers in the 16 career clusters; coordinates and/or participates in special programs, projects or events as required; serves as adviser to student organizations, staffs and committees as appropriate. 
• Coordinates guest speakers and volunteer services. 
• Participates in staff in-service training and continuing education as required. 
• Complies with all federal laws, state statutes, Board policies, administrative rules and directives. 

Additional Duties: 

• May provide remedial assistance to individuals, small groups or entire classes of students as scheduled during or after regular school hours. 
• Performs related duties as required. 

Essential Functions 

Physical Requirements:

Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 10 pounds).  Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Data Conception:

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications:

Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information.  Includes  receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisors.

Language Ability:

Requires ability to read a variety of reports and documentation, policy and procedure manuals, guidance texts, professional journals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, records, recommendations, correspondence, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.  Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence:

Requires the ability to apply logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.  Requires the ability to apply to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.  Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude:

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written instructions; to counsel and teach students, employees and parents.  Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying ages and educational/cultural backgrounds and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including education, psychology, special education, counseling, etc.

Numerical Aptitude:

Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time.  Must be able to interpret test scores.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape; and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination:

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office machinery.

Manual Dexterity:

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc.  Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination:

Does not require the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament:

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.  Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a slight degree and to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.

Physical Communications:

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking:  expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Training and Experience 

Requires a Bachelor's degree and a valid South Carolina teaching certificate or eligibility for South Carolina teaching certificate in the appropriate certified area.  Experience working with children in an educational setting is desirable.

Performance Criteria Evaluations

Job Knowledge: 

Is knowledgeable in the methods, policies and procedures of Florence 1 Schools  pertaining to specific duties of the Career Specialist. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and  regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Has knowledge of the  organization of the department and of related departments and agencies. Has the ability to comprehend,  interpret and apply regulations, procedures and related information. Has thorough knowledge of the subject  area(s) assigned to teach; has skill in the interpretation of subject matter to the intellectual level of students  taught. Is able to create and present innovative, effective, developmentally appropriate course and lesson  plans. Has knowledge of the characteristics of the age group assigned. Is able to establish and maintain  positive relationships and work effectively with adults and students. Is able to supervise, guide and support  students with patience and kindness. Is able to motivate students to participate in educational and  extracurricular activities and to want to learn. Is able to recognize signs of learning, physical, mental and social disabilities and take appropriate action. Is able to provide assistance, support and/or skills development opportunities to parents as required. Is able to perform job tasks professionally in an environment where  discrimination and other public issues are constant concerns. Has knowledge of and is able to use modern  office practices and equipment, including computers. Has knowledge of proper English usage, vocabulary,  punctuation and spelling; has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Is skilled in applying a responsible attention to detail as necessary in preparing records, reports and correspondence. Is able to read  and interpret various materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Is able to take the initiative to  complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Is able to use independent judgment  in performing tasks. Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Is  able to offer assistance to fellow employees as necessary. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with  co-workers, personnel of other departments, parents, students and members of the public through contact and  cooperation. Has knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the industry. Knows how  to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and  information to improve job performance and efficiency.

Quality of Work:

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities.  Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility.  Maintains high quality communication and interaction with internal and external entities with whom the position interacts.

Quantity of Work:

Performs described Essential Functions and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce a quantity of work which consistently meets established standards and expectations.

Dependability:

Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work.   Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, policy, standards and prescribed procedures.  Maintains accountability for assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:

Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to District policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness.  Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm:

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountability.  Strives to anticipate work to be done, and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility.  Identifies problems or situations as they occur, and specifies decision objectives.  Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations.  Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors.  Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment. Monitors the activities/behavior of the student body to ensure student safety and well-being.

Cooperation:

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction, and strives to meet the goals and objectives of the same.  Questions such as instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified (i.e., poor communications, variance with District policy or procedures, etc.).  Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the District.

Relationships:

Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and staff for mutual and district benefit.  Contributes to maintaining high morale among all District employees.  Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staff and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public so as to maintain good will toward the District and to project a good district image.  Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the District.  Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the District.  Interacts effectively with higher management, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work:

Plans and organizes daily work routine.  Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology.  Avoids duplication of effort.  Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly.  Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time.  Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.  

Safety:

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the District and various regulatory agencies.  Sees that standards are not violated.  Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.  

DISCLAIMER:  This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.  Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Terms of Employment 

190 Contract Days. Salary and work year to be established by the district.