Summary/Objective

Serves as the Certification Officer with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Essential Job Duties

Certification Officer Duties:

• Assists students with certification application.
• Processes all certification applications for undergraduate and graduate students seeking teaching and administration certification, confirming applicants meet all certification requirements.
• Maintains matrices for each area of certification to ensure they are current with DESE standards.
• Attends MACTE meetings (currently twice a year) to remain current on changes to certifications and processes.
• Attends monthly DESE webinars for Certification Officers across the state.
• Engages with students enrolled in Foundations of Education course and facilitate the establishment of an Educator ID in the DESE system as well as an academic plan that will be utilized to reach graduation.
• Communicates with each student in Foundations of Education about the education program and other non-course related requirements for education.
• Records all student outcomes for non-course related requirements in the SBU data system.
• Verifies certification status of cooperating teachers for all student teaching placements, including placements in other countries.
• Processes any requests to transfer certification to another state. 
• Supports student preparation for field experience placement and the ongoing maintenance of all placements including the engagement with the field experience supervisors and schools.
• Documents student teacher data at the end of each semester for DESE. 
• Facilitates background checks for field experience students.
• Collects data, maintains physical/digital data repositories, and prepares reports.
• Administers data collection instruments in support of quality assessment.
• Submits all DESE reports.

General Duties:

• Works efficiently and effectively utilizing time with minimal supervision.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to prioritize various responsibilities.
• Attendance and punctuality is essential.
• Communicates effectively both in oral and written form with individuals who have a broad range of educational backgrounds. Displays tact and courtesy to faculty, staff, students, prospective students and their families whether by phone or in person.
• Maintains timeliness and thoroughness in completion of work.
• Manages confidential material in a responsible and discrete manner.
• Maintains a strong working relationship with the Dean, Division Heads, faculty, and the other Administrative staff within the College.
• Manage the prioritization and execution of multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Drafts accurate correspondence, reports, and other documentation for internal and external use.
• Assists in the coordination and facilitation of Divisional and College events.
• Assists with community outreach events with partners, clients, suppliers, and vendors.
• Provides support for Education Division specifically and for the College of Professional Programs in general.
• Strong use of Excel for reporting and data analysis.
• Maintains secure office environment.
• Sets an example of a Christian lifestyle for students, staff and faculty.
• Commitment and adherence to Southwest Baptist University’s Principles and Expectations.
• Maintains a helpful and positive attitude by having a willingness to take on new and different responsibilities not specifically outlined in the job description.
• Assists with graduation ceremonies.
• Performs all duties as assigned by the Dean of the College.

Position Requirements

Required

• Bachelor degree with preference to education major.
• A minimum of 2 years previous experience in education setting.
• Proficient user of current Microsoft operating systems as well as office productivity software including Microsoft Office Suite including, but not limited to Word, Excel, and Access.
• Proficient typist.

Preferred

• Master degree with preference to graduate education degree.
• Five years of previous experience in education setting.

Work Environment

Must be able to work in typical office environment with some noise.

Physical Abilities

Activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Frequently move about the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Frequently communicates with students, staff and faculty regarding activities within the Taylor Free Enterprise Center.
• Rarely moves audio/visual equipment weighing up to 50 pounds across campus for various classroom and event needs
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as calculator, copy machine and computer printer
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position up to 50% of the time
• Must be able to operate standard office equipment such as personal computer, photocopier, etc.
• In exercising the functions of this job the incumbent should be able to exert up to 25 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.