Oversee the ongoing development, facilitation and sustainability of teacher education scholarship and incentive programs designed to recruit, retain and place teachers in Oklahoma classrooms. Plan and conduct meetings associated with the aforementioned objectives, as well as coordinate necessary training for scholarship initiatives. Support the work of the Oklahoma Teacher Connection (OTC) and Scholarships and Grants divisions of the agency. Perform job-related travel as necessary, including some overnight travel.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Organize and coordinate the Oklahoma Future Teachers Scholarship and Employment Incentive Program (Inspired to Teach).
- Organize and coordinate the Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program (TSEIP), which includes reviewing electronic information provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Education to track down and contract grant recipients in order to receive their award.
- Work with financial aid officers at Oklahoma higher education institutions to process funding requests for eligible student participants for the Inspired to Teach program.
- Work with Student Services for related duties as needed for the Inspired to Teach program (and other scholarship, incentive, recruitment and retention programs for teachers). Will provide “ad hoc” support to and/or be able to collaborate with Student Services regarding teacher education scholarship/incentive issues
- Confirm all statutory eligibility criteria are met for scholarship recipients enrolled in the Inspired to Teach program, as well as the Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program (TSEIP)
- Prepare, process and track invoices, payments, and refunds for institutions whose students participate in the Inspired to Teach and TSEIP programs in accordance with Inspired to Teach and TSEIP policies.
- Manage, collect and analyze data from the Inspired to Teach program, TSEIP, and other scholarship/incentive programs.
- Prepare and compile reports utilizing data collected from the Inspired to Teach program, TSEIP, other scholarship/incentive programs, recruitment and retention data, and related information. Perform related research as requested.
- Prepare agenda items for OSRHE board meetings.
- Draft program policies and policy revisions to implement statutory amendments as necessary.
- Coordinate the Inspired to Teach Advisory Committee meetings and be responsible for oversight of meeting logistics (i.e. minutes, travel reimbursements, correspondence etc.).
- Communicate with State Regents’ business office, Educator Preparation Program Coordinators and Financial Aid Officers regularly about scholarship participants’ payments, program eligibility and other programmatic matters.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of a database to process new scholarship applications, including updating participant information in the database on a regular basis.
- Responsible for long-term maintenance and reporting for the Inspired to Teach scholarship, TSEIP, and incentive program database(s).
- Develop correspondence, including letters, emails and memos, to institutions, partners, key stakeholders and Inspired to Teach and TSEIP participants.
- File, scan and organize participant files and information for the Inspired to Teach and TSEIP programs, as well as other OTC activities.
- Review Inspired to Teach and TSEIP applications and program agreements for completeness and accuracy.
- Act as liaison to teacher education partners, stakeholders and state education agencies to promote and support the Inspired to Teach program, including articulation agreements between community colleges and Oklahoma educator preparation program (EPP) universities, as well as TSEIP and other scholarship/incentive programs.
- Serve as lead staff member to promote, develop, and keep records on articulation agreements between community colleges and EPP universities.
- Assist with budget preparation and forecasting for scholarship and incentive programs administered by the OTC.
- Assist the OTC Teacher Education Coordinator with outreach and marketing materials, including digital advertisements and mail-outs, for the Inspired to Teach program, TSEIP, as well as other scholarship and incentive programs, and other OTC activities.
- Assist in the development of promotional material. Prepare content for web pages, create posters, and support the OTC social media activities, including Facebook.
- Assist the OTC Teacher Education Coordinator in necessary teacher recruitment, retention and placement efforts.
- Attend meetings, conferences and other events on behalf of the OTC. Present at conferences, legislative and agency meetings upon request.
- Represent OTC for the Associate Vice Chancellor for Teacher Preparation and Special Programs when requested.
- Assist in working with other OTC-sponsored conferences and events, including but not limited to the Teach, Lead and Educators Rising conference.
- Provide resources and technical assistance as necessary.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidate must have a bachelor’s degree and five (5) years related work experience or an equivalent combination of post-secondary education and work-related experience. The position requires excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills and organizational skills. Ability to discern needs and pay close attention to detail. Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving ability. Some travel, including possible overnight travel may be necessary. Attend and/or present at work-related events, sometimes outside of regular work hours.
Computer skills required include proficiency in MS Word and advanced MS Excel spreadsheets (formulas, charts and graphs). The successful candidate must be able to work in a team-oriented environment where duties are shared and are subject to change as well as have the ability to work independently, prioritize multiple responsibilities and complete within a short timeframe, anticipate needs, and work well under pressure.
Preferred Qualifications
Basic knowledge and understanding of the legislative process in regards to education initiatives and mandates. An extensive knowledge of working with various databases and performing simple queries.
Supervision
The employee performs work under the supervision of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Teacher Preparation and Special Programs.
Work Hours Agency offices are open to the public from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday. These are the normal office hours for Agency employees. Physical Demands
Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time. Ability to operate a computer, keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment. Ability to use a computer screen and printed material, to communicate clearly, physical ability to lift up to 25 pounds, and to perform tasks that may require bending, stooping, and reaching. Must use the proper method to manually handle equipment, including but not limited to dollies, carts, and lift team members. Duties are normally performed in an office environment with a moderate noise level.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
