GST Michigan Works! is assisting Mott Workforce & Economic Development with recruiting a JMG Specialist.
Purpose
Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is on a mission to equip young people with the skills to overcome barriers and win in education, employment, and as citizens. We envision a world where every young person is educated, employed, and career-bound. Our leading program, Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG), is the state-based affiliate of the national Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program and has received consecutive years of national recognition for our ability to deliver on our mission and vision.
The JMG Specialist is critical to this continued success. Integrated within a local high school, this full-time high-performing role provides dropout prevention services consisting of classroom instruction, mentoring, barrier removal, employability skills training, and postsecondary transition services. The role is responsible for identifying, recruiting, and instructing students deemed to have a high degree of difficulty of being promoted into the next grade level, achieving graduation, and/or making a successful transition from school to a career with advancement opportunities. The JMG Specialist also works closely with community partners to ensure the continued success of program students. Position is located within a (Flint Community School) high school.
Scope
The Jobs for Michigan Graduates Specialist position is in the division of Workforce & Economic Development (WED), and reports to the JMG Program Associate Administrator.
Dimension
This position functions independently at times and is expected to exercise good judgement on issues, questions and problems that arise. The incumbent must be able to manage working with secure information and share it discreetly among co-workers as well as partners if necessary. This position is part of a team that must be able to work together, and with other areas to ensure that the department, division, partners and college fulfills its annual goals.
Supervisory Responsibility:
The person in this position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities, but may serve as a formal workgroup leaders for assigned staff, and participants.
Essential Duties/Major Accountabilities
- Provides appropriate curriculum and ensures students achieve specific JAG competencies through classroom instruction; teaches through a variety of methods including lecture, hands-on activities, and team teaching; tailors the program and teaching methods for the needs of each specific student, and implements an intervention strategy for each individual.
- Ensures an appropriate pool of students by directly recruiting students, and obtaining referrals from an Advisory Committee, school personnel, and parents; holds interviews with prospective candidates and those making referrals to determine, using JAG guidelines, the appropriateness of the prospective student for the program.
- Administers testing programs including pre-/post-tests and career interest surveys. Establishes and implements an individual development plan for all enrolled students.
- Ensures positive perceptions of the JMG program within schools by developing and maintaining positive, effective working relationships with school personnel including teachers, administrators, students, and members of the Advisory Committee.
- Advocates for the program and develops a pool of effective community support resources by working with employers, parents, civic groups, and legislators to build awareness of and support for the program; develops job opportunities, participates in public relations activities, attends meetings and speaks to various community groups.
- Builds appreciation for teamwork, sense of belonging, and commitment to community service among JMG students by organizing and serving as advisor to a JMG Career Association; creates training opportunities through hands-on activities, film presentations, guest speakers, and workshops; assists with civic and social opportunities.
- Provides students with guidance, counseling, and support within appropriate limits; refers students to additional support services on an as-needed basis; takes responsibility for learning and complying with school policies such as mandated reporting, discipline, attendance, and the like.
- Complies with all documentation requirements in a timely fashion including contacts and activities involving students, employers, and other groups; develops and maintains a well-organized filing system.
- Assists students in finding and maintaining quality employment and/or post-secondary educational programs upon graduation; works closely with JMG graduates, employers, and postsecondary providers for 12 months after the end of the school year to ensure satisfactory outcomes in employment and/or postsecondary education/training; develops a plan for contacts with non-graduates to ensure effective transition to employment or additional education.
- Participates in staff, regional, and statewide meetings, and staff development activities.
Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, social service, counseling, business, or a related discipline is required.
- Highly qualified certified teacher designation with accompanying education degree is required.
- Commitment to Youth Solutions values: Collaboration, Excellence, Leadership and Solution-Focused.
- Experience working with youth accompanied by knowledge of positive youth development strategies.
- Skills in human relations, leadership, supervision, and motivational techniques.
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
- Ability to establish the appropriate boundaries while developing and nurturing supportive relationships with students.
- Exceptional communication skills and cultural competencies.
- Ability to develop lesson plans and educational opportunities consistent with the JAG model.
- Working knowledge of basic computer applications such as word processing.
Hours, FLSA Status:
Must be willing to work 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, and evenings or weekends as needed.
