Partnership & Student Support Specialist - Durham, NC Campus

POSITION TYPE: Permanent, SHRA, FLSA Non-Exempt, 12-month, 1.0 FTE

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $59,495 - $61,874

Hiring salary will be determined based on education, experience, equity, budget, and market considerations.

NCSSM and the Extended Learning Division foster an environment of collaboration across departments and divisions and support community-engaged service and research. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran or national guard. If you are an individual with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process, please contact us at hr@ncssm.edu.

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) invites applications for a Partnership & Student Support Specialist position at its campus in Durham, North Carolina, for the NCSSM Connect program. The position is a 12-month, permanent position with full benefits through the State of North Carolina.

The NCSSM Extended Learning division - of which the NCSSM Connect program is a part - serves as the outreach arm of the school, collaborating with public schools and communities to provide all students with access to academically rigorous curriculum and experiential learning experiences that supplement and strengthen mathematics, science, computer science, engineering, and humanities teaching and learning through courses, conferences, summer programs, and teacher professional development.

Description of Duties:

This position reports to the NCSSM Director of Instructional Leadership for the NCSSM Connect program. The Partnership & Student Support Specialist will play a significant role in supporting recruitment for the NCSSM Connect program and implementing a comprehensive NCSSM Connect student support model to monitor attendance, grades, and overall academic success.

The NCSSM Connect program offers live, synchronous virtual courses taught by NCSSM faculty to students in their local high schools across North Carolina. During class, Connect instructors use group activities and cutting-edge instructional technology to facilitate active participation with project-based learning and cross-site collaboration with students from around the state. Students are able to interact with others from the mountains to the coast, allowing them to personalize their learning by sharing real-life experiences and perspectives. Our NCSSM Connect program allows smaller, rural schools to offer AP and honors-level courses that may otherwise be unavailable.

This is a hybrid position based on the Durham campus, with the expectation that the hired person will work from campus unless they are at a school/ recruitment event. Candidates must possess a valid driver's license with no serious driving-related convictions.

Description of Duties:

• Work to identify, recruit, and sustain school partnerships for the NCSSM Connect program.

• Foster relationships with our partner schools to inform, advise, and coordinate support, providing a seamless, instructional experience for our students and faculty.

• Support the creation of collateral material for recruitment and marketing purposes, including social media platforms.

• Support the implementation of the onboarding process for NCSSM Connect students.

• Work with students to facilitate academic success, mental health, and personal development by addressing issues related to motivation, developing effective academic strategies, and skill building.

• Monitor and follow up on students' progress with check-ins, scheduled meetings, or proactive outreach and communication and be available to respond to questions, concerns, and needs.

• Support the management and maintenance of a system to monitor student achievement and a menu of strategies to address concerns.

• Travel to recruitment events and potential partner schools. NCSSM will provide the vehicle.

• Serve as an additional support arm for instructors as they communicate with the partner schools.

• Gather and organize student and program data from multiple sources, including learning management and student information systems.

• Maintain accurate student records and relay necessary information promptly.

• Contribute to a positive, friendly work environment that encourages, enhances, and demonstrates collaboration, teamwork, and professionalism.

  
  

Program/Project Administration: Ability to manage several and/or multi-faceted program(s) or project(s) in their entirety. Ability to lead and facilitate teams, workgroups, or assigned staff. Ability to develop, implement and evaluate program(s)/project(s). Ability to establish goals and objectives of the program(s)/project(s). Ability to set appropriate deadlines.

Consultation: Ability to work well with others. Ability to resolve complicated, sensitive, or unusual problems of an individual or systemic nature. Ability to guide and coach clients, co-workers, and/or subordinates in evaluating and resolving the most complex operational issues, often in overlapping program areas.

Information Analysis and Decision-Making: Ability to analyze and resolve unprecedented issues and problems independently using input from and collaboration with external sources. Ability to serve as a resource for others in resolving issues and problems. Ability to anticipate problems, project probable outcomes, and potential impact on policy or program. Ability to develop resolution strategies.

Communication and Marketing: Ability to cultivate professional relationships with all levels of the program/organization, internal and external. Ability to take the initiative in difficult situations. Ability to encourage others in complex and sensitive situations to reach a mutually agreeable resolution that achieves business goals and maintains positive work relationships across the organization.

Leadership: Ability to work collaboratively to manage issues. Ability to evaluate and recommend resource needs. Ability to consult with senior-level decision-makers on an ongoing basis. Always maintain confidentiality.

Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Desired:

Experience in project management and marketing strategies. Familiar with the dynamics of working with NC public schools. Experience providing academic coaching and student support to K-12 students.

This work requires considerable consultation with instructors, division team members, partner schools, students, and families. Excellent organizational skills and verbal and written communication skills are required. Much of the instructional process is accomplished by a team effort, and this requires the University Program Specialist to function as an effective team member.

Team NCSSM Benefits

Free On-campus Parking

Vacation and Personal Leave: SHRA employees earn from 14 days to 26 days per year based on years of state service. Leave is pro-rated for part-time and less than 12 month employees. Leave is earned monthly.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year. Leave accruals for part-time and less than 12 month employees are pro-rated.

Additional Leave: Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL), Civil Leave, Personal Observance Day, Extended Illness, Short/Long Term Disability, Family Illness Leave, Military Leave, Community Service Leave, Voluntary Shared Leave and Leave Without Pay.

Holidays: 12 days per year

Benefits: The University System offers eligible employees a flexible and comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to University-provided group life insurance, various retirement savings options, group health plan coverage, dental, vision, critical illness, cancer, flexible spending accounts, accident, disability coverage, educational assistance, and more. These programs can help employees achieve retirement savings and career goals, as well as assistance with meeting everyday health and educational needs. The benefits programs are designed for employees to tailor a benefits package that best meets their needs.

Health Insurance: Employee only coverage under the State Health Plan (PPO) is provided to employees that work 30 or more hours a week. The cost is determined by the type of coverage elected by the employee. Dependent coverage is available by payroll deduction.

Retirement: Required participation for all employees working 3/4 time or more. Option (1) Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees are vested for retirement after 5 years. Option (2) The Optional Retirement Program (ORP) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees in ORP are vested after 5 years of participating in ORP. As a participant in either retirement program, you are automatically covered for short-term disability (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost), long term disability (eligible after 5 year of service/no cost). Death benefit of minimum $25,000/maximum $50,000 based on previous 12 month salary (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost).

Supplemental Retirement Plans: Supplemental retirement plans provide an additional opportunity to help you reach your retirement goals. Supplemental Plan offerings such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) on a Roth (after-tax) or pre-tax contributions.

Tuition Waiver: Three courses per academic year tuition free (at any of UNC 17 campuses that offer courses) for permanent full-time employees.

State Employees Credit Union: Membership welcomed. Contact the SECU Credit Union for information.

Community Service: 24 hours leave credited each calendar year (prorated for part-time) unless you choose the Mentoring/ tutoring option - 1 hour each week up to a max of 36 hours that schools are in session as documented by the elected board of the local education agency or the governing authority of any non-public school.

Facilities: Library & Gymnasium - other athletic facilities available at no cost to employees. Cafeteria on site.

About NCSSM:

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is a world-class public high school with statewide reach empowering academically talented students from diverse backgrounds from every corner of the state to design their own future. We offer residential high school programs in Durham and Morganton for juniors and seniors or virtual high school courses and programs that students can take alongside their local curriculum, all tuition free. Our wide array of summer offerings for rising 5th- through 12th-graders includes free opportunities for in-state students alongside paid options for students from anywhere in the world. NCSSM Extended Learning partners with communities and regions to advance student learning and outcomes.

Specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math, and embracing the fine arts and humanities, NCSSM has become the model for 18 such specialized schools around the globe since its founding in 1980 and is a full constituent of the University of North Carolina System. NCSSM's Ignite + Transform comprehensive campaign seeks to raise $50 million in private support for our mission.

The new NCSSM-Morganton campus opened in 2022 for summer programs and its first fall academic term. NCSSM-Morganton focuses on the booming fields of data science and artificial intelligence, preparing the leaders of tomorrow to navigate a future driven by data and machine learning, with emphasis on the humanistic implications and ethical use of these tools.

Nearly two-thirds of NCSSM graduates earn a bachelor's degree in a STEM field -- over three times the national average, including 58 percent of our underrepresented minority graduates, which is nearly four times the national average. Nearly three-quarters have earned or are seeking a graduate degree. A 2020 economic impact study found that 54 percent of our alumni continue to live and work in North Carolina, catalyzing nearly $1.3 billion in annual economic activity. NCSSM values the diversity in our student body, and all members of the NCSSM community are expected to foster a safe environment of respect and inclusion for all faculty, staff, and students.

For more information, please read the NCSSM strategic plan and visit ncssm.edu.

How to Apply:

Submit electronic application via this link: Partnership & Student Support Specialist - Durham, NC Campus.

Please complete your application in full. All required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear on the application in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State Application form in its entirety. "See Attached Resume or an Embedded Text Resume" will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If applicants are a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least six years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22 along with their state application.

Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require a motor vehicle check. If the highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. NCSSM participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Please refrain from submitting multiple applications. However, if multiple applications are submitted to a posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be accepted. There is a 24 hour waiting period before an applicant can re-apply to a position.

If you have questions, please contact Tracy Fullgraf at fullgraf@ncssm.edu.

NCSSM is an EEO/eVerify/VEVRAA Employer