Position: Exploratory Cooperative Education Coordinator

Rindge Technical School of Arts (RSTA)

The Role:

The High School Exploratory, Cooperative Education Coordinator plays a vital role in facilitating experiential learning opportunities for high school students by coordinating and overseeing cooperative education programs. Developing and facilitating meaningful career experiences for all RSTA students. This position involves collaborating with students, teachers, employers, and other stakeholders to ensure that students gain valuable real-world work experience while meeting their educational objectives. This is an 11-month position working with a diverse student population who are enrolled in Massachusetts DESE-approved Chapter 74 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs as well as students in a comprehensive 9-12 urban high school setting. This position combines educational expertise with community engagement to create valuable learning experiences. It is ideal for individuals who are passionate about guiding students in their career journeys and building partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

The Exploratory Cooperative Education Coordinator (ECEC) reports to and is supervised by the RSTA Executive Director. The ECEC is responsible for managing all exploratory schedules, supervising and evaluating exploratory staff. The ECEC oversight responsibilities include maintaining all cooperative education, and exploratory records, grading and oversight of students, collaborating with instructors, and developing and maintaining relationships with cooperative education sites. The ECEC is expected to attend advisory meetings and manage cooperative education and exploratory data.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Development and Management:

• Manage and develop exploratory program (scheduling, working with instructors and guidance, managing safety credentials, competencies) 
• Coordinate materials for and attend the RSTA Tech Expo night for incoming 9th graders and their families 
• Offer and conduct meetings and assemblies for upper school students
• Coordinate on campus events to host 7th and 8th grade counselors, parents and students
• Create an online cooperative education application, develop electronic journals for all cooperative education students 
• Maintain all Exploratory records and cooperative education records according to DESE regulations
• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive cooperative education program that aligns with the school's educational goals and curriculum.
• Collaborate with school administrators, teachers, and industry partners to identify suitable work placements and opportunities for career exploration for students.
• Establish and maintain relationships with local businesses, organizations, and community partners to secure work placements for students.
• Support the Career and Cooperative education counselor 
• Develop and implement a comprehensive exploratory, cooperative education and internship program for high school students.
• Monitor program effectiveness, track progress, and make adjustments as needed.
• Perform all other essential duties as assigned by the RSTA Executive Director.

Student Placement Support: 

• Develop and co-facilitate workshops and seminars to prepare students for the workplace, including resume writing, interview skills, workplace etiquette, and professional communication and one-on-one counseling to prepare students for workplace experiences.
• Conduct site visits to monitor students' progress, provide guidance, and address any challenges that may arise during their work experience.

Employer Engagement:

• Collaborate with employers to create meaningful and relevant work assignments that contribute to students' learning and skill development.
• Maintain open lines of communication with employers to ensure a positive and productive experience for both students and employers.
• Forge and maintain partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and industry professionals to secure internship opportunities.
• Act as a liaison between the school and external partners, fostering positive relationships and ensuring compliance with program requirements.
• Seek feedback from employers and use it to continuously improve the cooperative education program.

Documentation, Reporting and Compliance:

• Maintain accurate records of student placements, hours worked, evaluations, achievements and any other relevant information.
• Generate regular reports and assessments of students' performance, achievements, and areas for improvement.
• Provide documentation for school accreditation and compliance purposes as needed.
• Ensure program compliance with relevant educational standards, regulations, and safety protocols.

Program Coordination:

• Coordinate and facilitate cooperative education programs, ensuring that students receive credit for their work experience.
• Manage the scheduling, supervision, and assessment of student internships.
• Oversee the development of student learning objectives and the evaluation of their progress.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with teachers to integrate cooperative education experiences into the curriculum and academic requirements.
• Support and align with Career Counselor/Cooperative Education teacher
• Communicate regularly with students, parents, teachers, and employers to ensure a seamless and successful cooperative education experience.
• Collaborate with other school staff to address any issues or concerns related to student participation in the program.

Professional Development:

• Stay current with industry trends, labor laws, and educational best practices related to cooperative education and work-based learning.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge in areas such as career counseling, experiential learning, and program management.

Job Requirements:

• May involve some travel to local businesses and community organizations.
• Flexible hours to accommodate student and employer schedules.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Rindge School of Technical Arts. 

Qualifications:

• Understands Chapter 74 frameworks, competencies and standards of the Massachusetts DESE frameworks 
• Has previous experience working in a career and technical setting 
• Exhibit a positive work ethic
• Demonstrates proficiency in handling problems as they arise as to when and to whom to assign the handling of situations in absence of an administrator 
• Ability to work independently as well as a team with other staff members
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Must demonstrate excellent management and organizational skills, well developed skills in supporting students’ self-awareness as learners, the capacity to help students acquire the knowledge and skills related to the development of Career Plans and other career development activities, outstanding communication skills with both students and adults, and successful experience operating in a highly regulated work environment 
• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree required. Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 3 years, preferred candidates will have 5 years experience teaching in a Chapter 74 program 
• Chapter 74 certification Cooperative Education and or Chapter 74 licensed and licensable Supervisor/Director 
• Strong computer skills and Database management is necessary
• Master’s degree in education, occupational discipline, or a related field required
• Previous experience in education, career and technical education, cooperative education, or program management
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and networking skills
• Knowledge of the local job market and employment opportunities
• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks
• Understanding of career development and experiential learning principles
• Commitment to promoting students' career readiness and success

Cambridge Public Schools is committed to slowing and/or stopping the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, as a condition of employment with Cambridge Public Schools, all new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 no later than their first day of work. Written requests for either a religious exemption from this requirement based on sincerely held religious beliefs, or for a medical exemption based upon clear documentation from a medical provider should be submitted to the attention of the Chief Talent Officer.

How to Join Our Team:

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills, experience, and commitment to equity in education meet the qualifications of the position as well as stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.