CTE - Work-Based Learning Specialist

Position Title: CTE- Work Based Learning Specialist

Payroll/Personnel Type: 12 Month

Job #: 8344

Reports to: Director of Career and Technical Education

Shift Length: 8 Hours a Day

Union Eligibility: Not Eligible

Starting Salary: $75,000

Position Summary:

This is a full-time, 12-month professional position that leads and coordinates high-quality work-based learning (WBL) experiences for St. Louis Public Schools students, with a primary focus on Career and Technical Education (CTE). The Work-Based Learning Specialist connects students, educators, employers, and community partners to provide equitable access to internships, job shadowing, career mentoring, workplace tours, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and other career-connected learning experiences. Student readiness for successful transition to postsecondary education, employment, and careers will serve as the barometer for this work.

Essential Functions:

• Develop, expand, and maintain partnerships with business, industry, labor, nonprofit, government, and postsecondary organizations to create high-quality work-based learning opportunities for students
• Coordinate student placement in internships, job shadowing, career mentoring, workplace tours, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and other approved work-based learning experiences
• Collaborate with CTE instructors, counselors, building administrators, and central office staff to identify students who are prepared for work-based learning and match students with appropriate experiences
• Ensure work-based learning experiences align with students’ CTE programs of study, career interests, employability skills, and postsecondary goals
• Monitor and document student work-based learning hours, experiences, and completion requirements in accordance with District, State, Federal, and program-specific expectations
• Maintain accurate records of employer partners, student placements, agreements, required forms, site visits, evaluations, and work-based learning outcomes
• Conduct employer and worksite outreach, including site visits, to ensure placements provide safe, appropriate, and meaningful learning experiences for students
• Support students with workplace readiness, including professional communication, resumes, interviewing, workplace expectations, employability skills, and preparation for successful placement
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to teachers and school staff regarding work-based learning requirements, documentation, student supervision, and employer engagement
• Coordinate with employers and educators to establish clear student learning objectives, expectations, schedules, supervision plans, and evaluation processes for work-based learning experiences
• Monitor student participation and performance in work-based learning experiences and collaborate with students, families, schools, and employers to address barriers or concerns
• Collect, analyze, and report work-based learning data, including participation, hours completed, employer engagement, student outcomes, and other measures used for CTE, Perkins, DESE, and District reporting
• Support equitable access to work-based learning by identifying and addressing barriers related to transportation, scheduling, student preparation, and employer availability
• Assist with employer recruitment events, career fairs, advisory committees, student showcases, community engagement activities, and other events that strengthen career-connected learning
• Collaborate with the CTE team to connect work-based learning experiences to Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs), dual credit, Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), and postsecondary opportunities
• Develop and maintain employer-facing and student-facing resources, procedures, communications, and training materials that support consistent implementation of work-based learning across the District
• Attend conferences, workshops, training programs, and professional learning opportunities to remain current on work-based learning practices,

workforce trends, employer needs, and applicable requirements

• Follow District policies and procedures as adopted by the Board of Education
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• We want talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who are inspired by our mission steeped in equity, and who are motivated to unleash our children’s potential
• We want people who are strong collaborators, skilled communicators, problem solvers, and who are comfortable in a community of continuous learning
• We want people who come with a mindset that is open to a reflective, organizational change management unit that is working relentlessly to improve outcomes and service with and for schools

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and experience in education, workforce development, employer engagement, career services, or a related field
• Outstanding writing, listening, and speaking skills
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Experience coordinating internships, work-based learning, employer partnerships, career-connected learning, or student placement programs (preferred)

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree (required)
• Master’s degree in education, workforce development, counseling, business, or a related field and experience with Career and Technical Education or work-based learning (preferred)

Physical Requirements:

• Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle
• Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body
• Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree

Working Conditions and Environment:

• Work is routinely performed in a typical interior/office environment
• Very limited or no exposure to physical risk

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

In connection with hiring for this position, the district shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or national origin.