Assistant Director, Teacher Education Programs

This is a full-time, overtime exempt position on the Olympia Campus of The Evergreen State College. This position is an "at-will" appointment, exempt from Washington State Civil Service rules and the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime requirements.

Position Purpose

This position is responsible for 1) serving as the college's certification officer; 2) managing recruitment efforts and direct student service assistance to prospective and current teacher education students including extensive academic and financial aid advising; 3) conducting oversight of the admissions process and participant monitoring; and 4) data collection and reporting, program records management in accordance with state and federal guidelines, and providing administrative support to the program Director, staff, and faculty.

Nature and Scope

The position reports to the Director, Teacher Education Programs (TEP) and works as part of a team with TEP faculty and staff in ensuring the college's teacher education programs operate in compliance with state and federal oversight. The position also requires collaboration with other graduate programs staff and units on campus. The position serves as the specialized knowledge expert on all facets of educator certification for the institution.

Essential Functions

Oversee all certification functions

• Act as liaison to the State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Professional Educator Standards Board on educator certification.

• Investigate, analyze, interpret, implement, and maintain currency on all state and federal regulations, processes, and procedures governing teacher certification in order to advise students.

• Work with the Program Specialist 3 (working title: Field Placement Coordinator & Education Partnerships) to develop system for coordinating and sharing certification information and processes.

• Assist the program Director with maintaining program accreditation.

• Advise students, faculty, educators, and school partners on state certification and endorsement requirements through appropriate means, including presentations and workshops.

• Counsel candidates with an arrest record, criminal history or other character and fitness disclosure on clearance procedures; ensure all current students are cleared to be in K-12 schools.

• Consult with and advise teacher education and undergraduate faculty on certification and teacher education program approval changes which would impact curricular offerings.

• Consult with other areas on campus (e.g., Registration and Financial Aid) on the nature of teacher education programs, and relationship to other academic programs and requirements.

• Participate in planning and presenting at the program's Professional Educator Advisory Board meetings.

• Attend all PESB meetings.

Provide leadership on recruitment outreach activities

• Prepare, update, implement, and evaluate program recruitment plan with attention to equity plan and enrollment goals in consultation with MiT faculty, staff, and director.

• Collaborate with faculty, Marketing and Communications, and other graduate programs on developing appropriate recruitment materials and identifying prospective student sources.

• Coordinate dissemination of promotional and recruiting materials.

• Update at least annually and provide on-going management of accuracy of content and messaging on program website, in program catalog, and in program materials to support recruitment.

• Coordinate arrangements for and represent the teacher education programs at internal and external recruitment outreach information sessions, academic and career fairs, and other appropriate venues.

• Communicate with and counsel prospective and newly admitted students through all appropriate channels (e.g., email, phone, and in person) on admissions, program requirements, financial aid and enrollment processes.

• Track all initial inquiries and arrange for suitable follow-up.

• Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders which serve as recruitment sources with special attention to populations underrepresented in teacher education.

• Work with program staff and student employees to develop appropriate program presence on social media platforms.

Provide services to support prospective, newly admitted, and current students

• Work in consultation with faculty to coordinate state requirements and approaches students can use to build and demonstrate endorsement preparation; work with undergraduate advising to communicate these expectations and pathways.

• Evaluate the general and endorsement specific academic preparation of potential and formal applicants to the teacher education programs through transcript review and advising.

• Remain current on Evergreen curriculum and other appropriate sources for endorsement-related classes to assist prospective and current candidates in fulfilling admissions conditions.

• In collaboration with the offices of Financial Aid and Advancement, assist students with identifying and obtaining financial aid and scholarships through maintaining currency on funding sources, disseminating information, overseeing TEP scholarship application process and awarding, monitoring institutional awards, and advocating for increased funding.

• Update and maintain advising materials including program catalog, entrance testing requirements and websites, application checklist, etc.

• Organize the MiT Hooding Ceremony, including convening and leading a graduation subcommittee of students and coordinating with Facilities Services, Media Services, and Conference Services.

• Assist with development of program newsletters.

• Maintain appropriate confidentiality of all student information.

Coordinate admissions processing and monitoring of current students from admittance to program exit

• Work with faculty on admissions requirements for the program.

• Supervise the application process and prepare preliminary assessment of all teacher education applicants' eligibility using comprehensive evaluation system involving analysis of transcripts, test scores, relevant experience, and other supporting evidence.

• Participate on Admissions Committees for TEP and notify Admissions and Financial Aid of committee's decisions.

• In collaboration with faculty and staff, help design and implement in-person and/or remote "Interview Days" for applicants when necessary.

• Prepare individualized admissions letters specifying admissions status and conditions and follow up with students who are conditionally and provisionally admitted.

• Provide student supports from admission to program exit (including providing support and assistance to enroll).

Provide Data Administration and Program Support

• In coordination with MiT faculty and staff, design and administer annual surveys to current students, alumni, partnership teachers, and leaders for program improvement and reporting, including collection and analysis of survey data from and about field experiences for program improvement.

• Assist Director in gathering, aggregating, and disseminating data, internal program reports, college reports, and state and federal reports, including performing statistical analysis of program data and writing and editing narrative reports summarizing program data and preparing related presentations.

• Coordinate data collection and reporting with other college departments (e.g., Institutional Research, Enrollment, Registrar, Alumni Services, Marketing, TRiO, etc.) to clarify and streamline data collection for program improvement and external reporting.

• Participate with Director and staff in tracking and maintaining state-required electronic databases on program information for evaluation and reporting.

• Maintain currency on evolving requirements for state and federal required electronic data tracking and reporting.

• Assist in regular program evaluations, production of annual reports, and updating of Program and Field Experience Handbooks.

• Work with the staff team to ensure consistent and high-quality operation of the Teacher Education Programs, including basic administrative duties.

• Represent Director at meetings as requested.

• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

Collaboration with other staff

• Serve as the primary contact for collaborative efforts with other offices at the College relevant to recruitment and retention, including Admissions, Registration & Records, Financial Aid, Evening and Weekend Studies, and Advancement.

• Participate in quarterly meetings with staff from other graduate programs, Admissions, Registration & Records, and Financial Aid.

• Assist and work with Institutional Research regarding managing and tracking of performance/evaluation data.

• Serve on appropriate internal and external committees or other projects.

Additional Duties Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• High level of organizational, planning, and administrative skills.

• Knowledge of Washington State administrative code and underlying law, regulations, and processes pertaining to educator preparation programs, standards, and certification requirements.

• Ability to research, analyze, and implement regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to create, organize, and maintain records and files.

• Ability to use sound judgment and problem-solving skills to make decisions or recommendations on complex issues.

• Knowledge about higher education in general and interest in supporting educator preparation.

• Ability to provide academic counseling and keep current on student recruitment, academic, and admission counseling policies and procedures.

• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.

• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.

• Knowledge of appropriate methods for developing outreach programs, including internet-based research and outreach.

• Skills in marketing, promotion, and public relations strategies.

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse individuals and groups, including current and prospective students, staff, faculty, the public, and college staff.

• Ability to manage time effectively and to manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines and bring projects and tasks to completion.

• Ability to take initiative, be a self-starter, and work with minimal supervision.

• Ability to counsel individuals on sensitive and confidential matters and make appropriate referrals.

• Knowledge of financial aid policies, procedures, and opportunities.

• Ability to use Microsoft 365, a student information system (Banner), customer relationship management systems (CRMs), social media, etc.; ability and willingness to learn new technology as needed.

• Ability to travel occasionally (mostly locally/regionally) and remain in compliance with the college's travel policy.

• Flexibility to work occasional varied schedule, including evenings and weekends, and to assist with program events outside normal business hours.

• Ability to move boxes of recruitment or printed materials.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.

• Two years of experience in academic advising or student services, or closely related activities.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in teaching/education, student services, or related field.

• Experience in managing programs or services in a higher education setting.

• Experience in the development of advising materials and websites.

• Experience with transcript analysis and credit evaluation.

• Knowledge of Washington State administrative code and underlying law, regulations, and processes pertaining to educator preparation programs, standards, and certification requirements.

• Experience using higher education student information and data systems, such as Banner.

• K-12 teaching experience.

Conditions of Employment

• Must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three days of beginning work.

• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• Prior to an official offer of employment, a Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct form must be submitted to the college per RCW 28B.112.080. The college will contact current and past employers to verify this information. Applicants who provide inaccurate information in their declaration will be disqualified and, if the inaccuracies are discovered after the applicant has been hired, it shall be grounds for termination.

• Must be able to travel, work occasional evenings and/or weekends, assist with program events outside of normal business hours, and move boxes of recruitment or printed materials.

Benefits

A full state benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid campus holidays; a generous medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; optional deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For more information about Evergreen's excellent employee benefits, please view https://www.evergreen.edu/payroll/benefits-package.