Title: Executive Director of Student Pathways and Opportunities State Role Title: Education Administrator III Hiring Range: Exact Commensurate Based on Qualifications & Experience Pay Band: 6 Agency: Dept of Ed Central Operations Location: JAMES MONROE BUILDING Job Duties This position will create connections and implement overarching career pathways initiatives that reflect local, state, and national evidence-based practices, funding, policies, programs, and trends to transform and accelerate access to postsecondary pathways in high school for alternative pathways, career and trades training, and military readiness. This position requires a professional who understands elementary and middle school career exploration, high school-to-postsecondary career, trade, and military pathways, in-demand and high-wage industry pipeline development, and resources that are necessary to better empower students with their options. This work will be done in collaboration with local school divisions, workforce, industry, and CTE professionals, and other Virginia agency partners. The position workflow will include the compilation of educational and student pathways and outcomes, the ongoing evaluation of data, understanding the trajectory of learning within these postsecondary programs and other strategic initiatives as directed, and awareness of state and federal resources to support these efforts. Responsibilities: Support the Department’s work in transforming and accelerating access to trade, career, and military pathways. Design and collect effective strategies to connect schools to opportunities in high-value CTE, as well as workforce awareness and readiness communities. Expand Access to Work-based Learning Opportunities: Collaborate with schools, industry partners, workforce board, and agencies such as Virginia Works, and other relevant agencies and partners to increase access to high-quality work-based learning, including youth apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and other high-demand work-based learning experiences for students in middle and high school as well as career exposure activities for elementary students. Strategic Alignment of Funding Streams: Support the Deputy Superintendent where needed on K-12 priorities alignment for federal and regional grant monies with partner agencies and the Workforce Board, including but not limited to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and GO Virginia funding. Credentialing and Career Readiness Alignment: Ensure credentialing and career alignment, overseeing the integration of high-demand industry-recognized credentials into secondary education programs, ensuring alignment with workforce demands and postsecondary career opportunities. Cross-Sector Collaboration and Partnership Development: Assist the Deputy Superintendent to build and maintain strategic partnerships with business leaders, military recruiters, training providers, and postsecondary institutions as well as partner agencies to enhance student access to multiple high-demand career pathways. Data-Driven Program Monitoring: Continuously use data and stakeholder feedback to monitor outcomes, inform continuous improvement, supports, and resources, and support policy development aimed at expanding high-quality career-connected and military-connected learning opportunities for all students. Project Management of the State Perkins Plan: Serve as project lead to support Deputy Superintendent on the state’s Perkins Plan in partnership with other Department offices, agencies, and secretariats as well as business and industry community partners and school divisions. 3E Readiness Support: Support, raise awareness of, and identify evidence-based best practices and program design support for 3E Readiness activities that ready students for postsecondary Employment and Enlistment. Oversee Military Pathways and JROTC Program Opportunities: Assist Deputy Superintendent with strategic direction to the team responsible for military pathways for students, including JROTC, military readiness initiatives, and partnerships with military branches. Manage EISTC and Neighborhood Assistance Program Coordination: Oversee implementation and coordination of the Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits (EISTC) and Virginia’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) teams. Coordinate with the Offices of Advanced Learning, Innovation, and Behavioral Health teams to support the larger priorities, initiatives, and strategic work of the Division of Innovation, Student Pathways, and Opportunities. Minimum Qualifications Working knowledge of local, state, and national evidence-based practices, policies, programs, and trends to transform and accelerate access to postsecondary pathways in high school for career and trade training, apprenticeships, and the military. Experience in Career and Technical education, military, or workforce-related programs for in-demand jobs. Understanding of High-Quality Work-Based Learning including the technical supports and relationships needed to expand access to High-Quality Work-Based Learning to high school students. Ability to collaborate with and understand the needs of postsecondary workforce training partners and employers, including Virginia’s robust military and defense community. Knowledge of Virginia’s 3E Readiness Framework and the foundational principles thereof. Working knowledge of the Perkins and Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Acts including funding requirements and preferences, required and recommended partnerships, and any state or regional coalitions informing funding for these formulas and grants. Ability to design and launch policies and programs to support middle school awareness and readiness for high school pathways opportunities. Ability to use and collect data to better understand, evaluate, and inform continuous improvement in student pathways and opportunities, and policy development. Ability to interpret and apply education policy and funding mechanisms (e.g., Perkins V, EISTC, Neighborhood Assistance Programs, etc.). Knowledge of the design and educational support to earn industry and post-secondary recognized credentials; and to coordinate with postsecondary partners to accept and support access to such credentials. Ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships with Commonwealth high schools, community colleges, military partners, institutions of higher education, and public universities, workforce training partners, Virginia’s workforce agencies, coordinators, and funding partners. Experience managing cross-functional team and coordinating multi-agency or multi-sector efforts. Skills in data collection, analysis, and program evaluation to support continuous improvement and accountability. Ability for visionary and strategic thinking, novel solutions. Able to manage multiple priorities and work with ambiguity. Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to foster positive working and collaborative relationships and align goals across sectors. Possess strong time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines. Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set timelines, track progress, coordinate cross-functional teams, and deliver results within scope and budget. Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access. EEO Statement The Virginia Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

#J-18808-Ljbffr