JAG Nebraska Career Specialist

Job Description

Job Title: JAG Nebraska Career Specialist

Department: Community Impact and Analytics

Supervisor: JAG Nebraska Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full Time

Approved Date: March 2023

Summary:

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, to include 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 on-going 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

ensure 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.

 Participate in approved JAG National and Nebraska training opportunities and conferences.

 Maintain the highest level of confidentiality, integrity and professionalism.

 Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

 Must comply with school staff handbook, policies, standards, and expectations.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

 Must be able to effectively use the Microsoft Office package of software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel,

Teams).

 Required to work 12 months per year.

 Must be knowledgeable about human services and major systems work.

 Must have a good understanding of philanthropy and the role non-profit organizations play in our

community.

 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 be able to execute and accomplish immediate deliverables on short notice.

 Must be highly organized, responsive and be able to handle multiple deliverables at the same time.

 Must maintain a positive attitude and care deeply about the overall success of UWM and JAG

Nebraska.

 Must be able to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

 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 be able to educate a variety parties about the program by developing ongoing professional

relationships.

 Must be able to implement curriculum, projects and/or other educational opportunities consistent

with the goals of the JAG and the Nebraska Department of Education requirements for Career and

Technical Education.

 Must be able to effectively develop positive relationships, as well as diffuse and resolve conflict.

 Must be able to effectively organize, prioritize, and manage multiple projects and tasks to achieve

multiple goals simultaneously.

 Must comply with and adhere to the State of Nebraska teacher and teaching standards and

requirements.

 Must become familiar with various funding requirements, such as: ESSER, GEER, TANF, WIOA,

etc.

 Must be able and willing to follow chain of command and organizational policies and values.

 Must possess a current and valid driver’s license.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities related to personnel.

Education and/or Experience:

Must meet Nebraska Department of Education’s Teaching Career Education Permit requirements:

Career Ed Teaching Permit Requirements (ne.gov), to include:

 Completion of a prescribed course of study in a career education area at the postsecondary level or

 Completion of an apprenticeship in the career education area, or

 Demonstrated proficiency in the career education area based on 5 years or more of practice in that

career, or

 Demonstrated proficiency by passing a competency test approved by the industry or career area,

and



 Must be willing to complete the Human Relations Training Requirement upon hire, and

 Must be willing to obtain the State of Nebraska Fingerprint Card process as applicable: Fingerprint

Cards (ne.gov)

 Bachelor’s degree required or Master’s degree in education, social services, counseling,

business, or a similar field.

Physical Requirements:

 Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

 Regularly reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.

 Occasionally required to walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

 Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

 Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform

essential functions.

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.