] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → CAREER ADVISING SPECIALIST

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Career Advising Specialist

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Instructional Spec CODE: 0833 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Career Advising Specialist GRADE: BD MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction of the director, Career and Postsecondary Partnerships Unit, collaborates with career advising team members, central service staff, and stakeholders to support district wide implementation of career advising. The career advising specialist manages the work of career advising cluster leads; works closely with external partners, including Local Workforce Development Board and WorkSource Montgomery assigned staff in the planning and deployment of career advising in all secondary schools. Works directly with MCPS career advising cluster leads in informing them of career advising implementation strategies and best practices on a regular basis; managing and supporting their work; and in developing and providing tools and resources that facilitate the collaborative interaction of staff, parents, and students to promote effective career advising, professional development, and instructional practice. Serves as a coach and resource for career advising cluster leads, and provides them with ongoing training and professional development.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Demonstrated knowledge in program implementation, leadership, and/or instruction. Thorough knowledge best practices in preparing students to be College, Career, and Community Ready, as defined by MCPS and research-based practices for career advising as it pertains to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. Knowledge of MCPS Strategic Plan goals, and state standards of College and Career Readiness. Ability to use web and video technology to present information and facilitate collaboration and effective instruction. Ability to successfully engage and collaborate with staff, parents, and students. Ability to analyze formal and informal data to determine programmatic needs and needed adjustments. Knowledge of the holistic development of students, including best practices to support students in exploring their strengths interests and values while growing in familiarity with industries and occupations that match their RIASEC themes. Knowledge of national counseling standards and effective methods to support students in the development of their individual Vivid Hoped-For Self Outcome (VHFSO) in tandem with a plan to achieve their academic and career goals. Skilled in leading a team to meet specific standards and objectives, preferably in the career-advising, counseling, or related field. Proven ability and thorough knowledge of how to empower others to expand opportunities for exploration and dialogic approaches around career advising and College, Career, and Community readiness utilizing culturally relevant and equitable practices. Thorough knowledge of MCPS policies and regulations; knowledge of MSDE requirements related to school counseling programs and services; thorough knowledge of the MCPS secondary college and career readiness programs in secondary schools. Ability to exercise independent initiative to complete assignments. Excellent oral and written communication skills; positive human relations skills; strong problem-solving skills; and knowledge of county agencies and community organizations. Ability to plan and coordinate workshops and professional development opportunities with staff for small and large groups. Skills to serve as an effective mentor to new career advising cluster leads.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Master's degree from an accredited college or university in education, school counseling, human growth and development, or educational program and policy development. Experience or training in facilitating career readiness programs and work-based learning preferred. Five years of demonstrated successful experience as a school-based instructional leader, preferably at the secondary level; and/or in successfully developing and implementing programs; evaluating program effectiveness; planning and/or conducting professional development. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience that provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Holds a current Maryland state standard and advanced professional certificate in a teaching area or Administrator I.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages and oversees assignments of career advising cluster leads.

Builds and maintains positive relationships with relevant stakeholders including MCPS career advising cluster leads; industry partners, WorkSource cluster advisor managers and other WorkSource team members.

Collaborates with stakeholders and exchanges information about research-based practices industry knowledge and ideas; stays informed about the latest trends in career counseling/advising and education in K-12.

Models effective leadership practices, including articulating a vision for effective instruction, utilizing time management strategies, prioritizing work, attending to one's own professional growth through reflection and critical analysis of practice.

Facilitates and coaches cluster leads to ensure successful and effective career-advising practices, relative to changes in school culture, career trends, and student needs.

Monitors program implementation and works with cross-office teams to ensure effective and efficient implementation of career advising activities and ensures supports are in place to address specific programmatic or school-based needs.

Coordinates, facilitates, and supports data collection, assessment, and analysis of formal and informal data points for use in targeting and monitoring the effectiveness of the career advising programs.

Serves as lead support for career advising cluster leads in their cluster management and implementation process.

Helps to design and lead professional learning opportunities for principals and school leadership teams to foster change in adult practice and accelerate student learning and performance as an outcome of career advising implementation.

Conducts school site visits, and shares information with administrators, and other school-based staff as appropriate.

Disseminates information and facilitates/coordinates training or professional development for administrators, teachers, students, parents, and other audiences.

Develops reports and uses other forms of communications to provide information related to both the impact on student outcomes and post-college and career readiness trajectory of career advising.

Serves on MCPS, county, and state committees and workgroups, as assigned.

Serves as an informational resource relative to schools and the community on the implementation of career advising in schools.

Assists in updating and reviewing the website information related to career advising.

Assists with processing timesheets, invoices, and monitoring project expenditures.

Maintains auditable records and ensures compliance with established Blueprint guidelines.

Collaborates with school-based staff, administrators, and central service staff in the planning, development, and evaluation of projects.

Contributes to the creation of career advising advertisements, folders, and marketing materials for dissemination to stakeholders.

Attends career education meetings, conferences, and sessions to stay informed and engaged.

Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
Class Established: 7/2023
Date(s) Revised:
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.