JAG Nebraska Career Specialist

Organization: United Way of the Midlands

Job Title: JAG Nebraska Career Specialist

Supervisor: JAG Nebraska Program Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full Time

Location/Site: Ogallala Public Schools - High School

UWM's Mission: To UNITE our community's CARING SPIRIT to build a STRONGER tomorrow.

* UWM Guiding Principles:
* Build TRUST in everything we do
* Extend GRACE by thinking beyond yourself
* Show GRIT by bringing it every day
* Be OPEN to embrace others' differences
* Actively ENGAGE by listening and sharing
* Live CURIOUSLY to learn constantly

With a 100-year heritage of helping others, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has evolved to meet the ever-changing needs in our community. We invest in more than 100 local nonprofit agencies and provide direct services, such as 211 and JAG Nebraska, to address social and economic disparities and meet community members' essential needs. As needs have continually evolved over the years, we have focused resources and expanded the network of organizations we support - while also mobilizing people and resources in times of economic crisis, health emergencies and natural disasters.

Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) JAG NE Specialists are teachers and educators, advocates for students, and caring adults and mentors. Our Specialists are responsible for guiding our students through project-based learning experiences for mastery of a minimum of 37 competencies in each JAG class. Specialists must be successful in fully implementing the JAG Nebraska model with integrity while supporting our students to navigate life and academia successfully, achieving high school graduation early or on time, and positive outcomes post-graduation. JAG Specialists work closely with school teachers and supervisors to provide support and coordination for students and must represent the organization's values at all times and must be well-versed in building relationships with multiple stakeholders simultaneously.

Duties and Responsibilities:

* Actively empower youth who experience multiple challenges to success by providing a program proven to increase graduation rates and positive outcomes post-graduation such as employment and post-secondary education or credential attainment.
* Establish and advance relationships with school administrators and teams, building rapport to effectively serve students and align with school culture and goals.
* Ensure the JAG Advantage (Project Based Learning, Trauma Informed Care, and Employer Engagement) is implemented with integrity within each program leading to the successful performance outcomes of each program.
* Actively coordinate events and training opportunities that enhance the leadership, academic, and career skills of all JAG Nebraska students.
* Serve as an example by being a teacher, advocate, and caring adult while upholding the United Way of the Midlands values at all times by building trust, extending grace, showing grit, being open and embracing others' differences, engaging through listening and sharing, and curiously learning constantly.
* Regularly interact with school and district administration as needed regarding student recruitment and opportunities for program expansion and resolve challenges as they arise by communicating effectively, efficiently, and timely while maintaining effective working relationships with school administrators, community leaders, business partners, and JAG Nebraska leadership.
* Conduct site visits to engage with students, building meaningful relationships, while assuring the JAG model standards are met while also observing classroom management techniques by monitoring performance outcomes, analyzing data in JAG Force, reviewing processes including student selection, assessments, classroom management, and instruction, business, and community connections; and by receiving feedback from partners.
* Complete self-evaluations according to United Way of the Midlands policy, providing effective and supportive feedback to the Program Manager while also receiving feedback.
* Request support and resources as needed with the JAG Nebraska model, grant and partnership obligations, accreditation compliance, participant documentation, and data entry into JAG Force.
* Recruit and interview students according to the best practices established by JAG and as preferred by the school.
* Develops a pool of qualified students from the cohort working in conjunction with the program's in-school Advisory Committee, school personnel, and parents; conducts interviews with prospective candidates and those making referrals; applies JAG Model guidelines to select prospective students (35-60) for the program.
* Regularly brief the Program Manager on student performance and outcomes. Request support and share ideas for actions for improvement when students are not on track to meet school and/or JAG performance goals and outcomes.
* Assist in planning and implementation of statewide student events and may assist with student supervision at various events locally, statewide, and nationally.
* Responsible for quality assurance on all paperwork and data to ensure compliance with all funding and accreditation requirements as well as ensuring deadlines are met in a timely manner.
* Propose improvements or revisions to organizational policies and procedures as they relate to the operation of JAG Nebraska to the Program Manager.
* Ensure the JAG model standards are met, including ensuring every student is provided with the opportunity and support necessary to master a minimum of 37 competencies each school year, while also implementing classroom management techniques, monitoring performance outcomes, entering data in JAG Force, reviewing school processes including student selection, assessments, classroom management and instruction, business, and community connections; and by receiving feedback from partners.
* Work daily within Nebraska's public schools and respectfully engage directly with teachers, administrators, and community leaders.
* Establish a positive and ongoing supportive relationship with all students and families in the JAG Nebraska cohort.
* Collaborate with school counselors, advisors, teachers, and administrators to implement the JAG curriculum and activities consisting of support for academic success, career exploration, goal setting, leadership development, and individual development plan.
* Enter student data and confer with school staff to identify and serve students in need of more intensive academic support such as tutoring, extended learning, mentoring, and counseling.
* Delivers the JAG Nebraska project-based learning curriculum for the targeted 35-60 students and ensures they achieve specific competencies through classroom instruction; directs learning through a variety of methods including project-based learning instruction, hands-on activities, experiential learning activities, and team teaching; tailor program and teaching methods to the needs of each student; and implement a well-designed intervention strategy for each student.
* Establish and implement an Individualized Development Plan (IDP) in JAG Force for all students on the school's JAG Nebraska class rosters.
* Monitor the attendance, academic performance, college prep course selection, enrollment in AP and dual credit courses, credits needed for graduation, and progress towards goals of all cohort students.
* Actively work to build a local efficient and effective full circle of community support for student resources by collaborating with in-school and after-school student programs, employers, parents, civic groups, and community partners to build awareness, support, and partnerships in conjunction with the Program Manager.
* Facilitate opportunities for student engagements periodically throughout the summer to increase student contact.
* Participate in school staff meetings, regional and statewide education meetings, and staff development activities within the building and district as appropriate.
* At times, Specialists may drive select students to and from statewide events, as applicable, and/or chaperone students for JAG National events, as applicable.
* Maintain the highest level of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.
* Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
* Must comply with the school staff handbook, policies, standards, and expectations.
* Driving is an essential duty

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