Adult Education- Pathway to Options Specialist

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Lansing School District Adult Education (AE) program plays a vital community role in offering classes in English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), High School Diploma (HSD), High School Equivalency (HSE), Adult Secondary Education (ASE) and Career Pathways instruction to adult learners. AE is currently hiring a Pathway to Options Specialist to assist adult learners in developing a career pathway and provide soft skill instruction to better prepare adult learners to enter either postsecondary education or employment after program completion. The Specialist will serve as a school counselor for adult learners to assist in assessing educational background and work experience to determine pathway toward pursuing their personal and professional goals, as well as identifying supports to overcome obstacles toward degree and/or credential attainment.

Qualifications Required

1. Bachelor’s degree required in education, social work, or related field; Master’s preferred.
2. Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
3. Successful employment experience with Adult Education and English Learners.
4. Successful experience and knowledge of Integrated Education and Training and Workforce Development.
5. Demonstrated ability to work with students from a variety of culture and linguistic backgrounds, age, and language/academic proficiency levels.
6. Demonstrated ability to work independently and cooperatively with community agencies, educational institutions, employers, district administration and staff as well as other populations under appropriate supervision.
7. Demonstrated ability to work well in fast paced environment with a high degree of flexibility
8. Demonstrated ability to maintain standards of professional conduct and work ethics including attendance, punctuality and performance is required.
9. Demonstrated ability to actively seek opportunities to grow professionally

Job Responsibilities

1. Maintain accurate records and documentation of students for evaluation purposes as well as the monitoring of student progress toward career and technical education goals
2. Increase recruitment and retention of adult learners
3. Work collaboratively with school Adult Education staff to provide opportunities that support the cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and communication development needs of program participants
4. Facilitate and encourage a learning environment that fosters successful social and academic experiences related to language proficiency, workforce skills and acculturation processes .
5. Identify barriers for program participants and work with community agencies or other entities to address them
6. Provide guidance and support to overcome barriers for program participants and help ensure success
7. Work collaboratively with Adult Education Staff, Workforce Development Agency, Integrated Education and Training Support Centers, and employers to design an educational program best suited to the personal and employment needs of program participants
8. Develop and strengthen relationships with employers to create career pathways for program participants
9. Design, develop, and implement participant eligibility criteria, attendance requirements, and enrollment and recruitment strategies
10. Maintain professional and clear communications amongst all agencies involved in program
11. Identify and provide information regarding specific IET courses available to program participants
12. Identify a cohort of adult learners who are most prepared to successfully enter the workforce