JAG Nebraska Career Specialist - Weeping Water/Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca

About the role

JAG Nebraska Career Specialists are educators, advocates, mentors, and caring adults dedicated to supporting student success. They teach a for-credit elective course for middle and/or high school students within local school districts, guiding students through a project-based curriculum that builds essential life and career skills. Specialists are expected to fully implement the JAG Nebraska model with integrity while helping students successfully navigate both academic and personal challenges. Specialists work closely with teachers, administrators, and supervisors to coordinate support services and must consistently uphold the UWM's values. Strong relationship-building skills with multiple stakeholders are essential to the role.

Responsibilities

• Provides instruction in a program proven to increase graduation rates and positive outcomes post-graduation such as employment and post-secondary education or credential attainment.
• Establishes and advances relationships with school administrators and teams by building rapport to effectively serve students and align with school culture and goals.
• Instructs classroom using the JAG Advantage (Project Based Learning, Trauma Informed Care, and Employer Engagement).
• Communicates effectively, efficiently, timely, and professionally while maintaining effective working relationships with school administrators, community leaders, business partners, and JAG Nebraska leadership.
• Requests support and resources as needed with the JAG Nebraska model, grant and partnership obligations, accreditation compliance, participant documentation, and data entry into JAG Force.
• Recruits students according to the best practices and in cooperation with school advisory committee/administration established by JAG.
• Documents student progress toward state and national performance goals using JAG Force (data collection tool)
• Completes all quality assurance measures and meets deadlines on all data to ensure compliance with all funding and accreditation requirements as well as ensuring deadlines are met in a timely manner.
• Teaches the JAG curriculum to ensure the JAG model standards are met for the targeted student roster.
• Works daily within Nebraska's public schools and engages directly with teachers, administrators, and community leaders.
• Establishes and implements an Individualized Development Plan (IDP) in JAG Force for all students on the schools JAG Nebraska class rosters.
• Maintains the highest level of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.
• Serves as a positive role model for students by demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to personal and academic growth, fostering a supportive and motivating environment for success.
• Creates and carries out local employer engagement events based on student voice and choice/career interests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with both UWM and school handbook, policies, standards, and expectations.

Qualifications

• Required to work 12 months per year; report times for workdays when substituting will mirror those of a district teacher.
• On days when not substituting in a classroom, this position will be hybrid.
• Must be able to effectively use Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams).
• Must be able to enter, analyze, and verify data reports as applicable for integrity, accuracy and various funding requirements.
• Must have the ability to effectively represent UWM and JAG Nebraska during community and stakeholder meetings.
• Must have the ability to think strategically to effectively plan and execute multiple lesson plans and activities in preparation for and throughout each school year.
• Must maintain a positive attitude and care deeply about the overall success of UWM and JAG Nebraska.
• Must be able to work independently in the classroom, teaching and supervising students for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to establish appropriate boundaries while developing and nurturing supportive relationships with students and families.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a variety of individuals, within and outside of the school system.
• Must be able to make formal and informal presentations.
• Must comply with and adhere to State of Nebraska CTE requirements and be able to implement curriculum, projects and/or other educational opportunities consistent with the goals of the JAG.
• Must possess a current and valid drivers license to drive to and from school and to in-state conferences/meetings.

Skills

• Strong relationship-building skills with multiple stakeholders.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and lesson plans.
• Knowledge of project-based learning and trauma-informed care.
• Ability to engage with and support students' academic and personal challenges.
• Ability to work with and coordinate with school administrators, community leaders, and business partners.
• Ability to recruit and engage students in the JAG Nebraska program.
• Ability to document and track student progress.
• Ability to facilitate employer engagement events.

Benefits

• Shared health, dental and vision insurance
• Generous 401(k) Retirement plan
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Employer paid life and disability insurance
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement