Specialist
Who we are and why there is an opportunity:
JAG Nevada is a 501c3 non-profit organization that changes the lives of youth through education. We guide promising young Nevadans to brighter career pathways. Nevada high school students struggle to graduate and find a pathway to a better life. Many drop out because they face seemingly insurmountable obstacles created by poverty, traumatic childhood experiences and systematic apathy.
Today’s students do not lack intelligence, talent, or desire but find it difficult to flourish without caring people and structured support systems that embrace them in community care. This is where JAG Nevada comes in.
This position is for the current 2026-2027 school year and we are looking to fill multiple roles in the Washoe School District/Reno area including - Sparks High School, Hug High School, McQueen High School, and Galena High School.
Please indicate in your cover letter if you currently hold a valid teaching or substitute license.
JOB SUMMARY
The JAG Specialist is a year-round, exempt position responsible for identifying, recruiting, and instructing high school students in grades 9–12 who face significant barriers to academic progression, graduation, and successful transition from school to careers with advancement opportunities. Specialists deliver and support the JAG core competencies to cohorts of approximately 45–60 students through direct classroom instruction, individualized interventions, career readiness activities, and advising a student Career Association.
In addition to instructional responsibilities, Specialists perform essential program coordination and administrative functions, including student data entry and reporting, lesson planning, community and employer partnership development, and coordination of career exploration and postsecondary activities. While the role aligns with the school calendar and includes major breaks such as winter break, spring break, and school holidays, Specialists work throughout the summer months on required duties such as data management, student follow-up, curriculum development, mandatory training, and preparation for the upcoming school year.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE SKILLS & ABILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Associate degree in social service, counseling, business, education, or any related discipline is required for licensing. The ability to acquire a JAG endorsement, teaching license, or substitute teaching license is required.
· Organizational, classroom and time management skills
· Strong leadership skills
· Judgment, decision making, and problem-solving skills
· Advanced ability to read and interpret written information; write clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar. Advanced ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; and participates in meetings.
· Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook and web-based applications.
· Fully embrace, embody, and uphold the organizational Mission and Vision.
· Ensure strong collaborative relationships within the organization and provide necessary support to ensure solid relationships externally, to foster and consistently elevate the quality of service to our students.
· Represent the organization and its interests in a positive manner and treat its employees, former employees, board members, governmental and private entities, donors, suppliers, vendors, associations, and the public at large with the utmost respect and dignity.
· Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and available to work 12 months a year.
· Strong ability to establish appropriate boundaries while developing and nurturing supportive relationships with students
· Ability to educate a variety of audiences about the program by developing ongoing relationships and making formal presentations
· Facilitate and develop curriculum and educational opportunities consistent with the JAG Nevada model
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Provides appropriate curriculum and ensures students achieve JAG Nevada competencies through classroom instruction; teaches through a variety of methods including lecture, hands-on activities, and team teaching; tailors the program and teaching methods for the needs of each specific student and implements an intervention strategy for each individual.
· Collaborates with school counselors, advisers, community resources, JAG Nevada Instructional and Web Designers, JAG Nevada Coordinator to ensure successful implementation of the JAG Nevadacurriculum and to consistently build support for academic success, career exploration, goal setting, leadership development, college planning, personal counseling, either directly or through linkages in the community to assist in overcoming barriers to graduation and/or success in the workplace.
· Ensures an appropriate pool of students by directly recruiting students, and obtaining referrals from an Advisory Committee, school personnel, and parents; holds interviews with prospective candidates and those making referrals to determine, using JAG guidelines, the appropriateness of the prospective student for the program.
· Administers testing programs including pre-/post-tests and career interest surveys, and document results in the data management system JAGForce.
· Establishes and implements a career development plan for all enrolled students, and updates on a regular basis.
· Analyzes student data and barriers and confers with the Advisory Committee to identify and develop a pool of qualified students in need of intensive academic support such as tutoring, extended learning, mentoring, and counseling.
· Monitors basic skills improvement using Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) or Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASES); provides academic support and remediation including access to tutoring, study skills, credit recovery to show gains as students’ progress towards graduation.
· Monitors the attendance, credits needed for graduation, college prep course selection, enrollment in advanced placement (AP), and dual credit courses.
· Serves as a student advocate when collaborating with school staff in developing intervention plans for struggling students and assists in implementing/referring interventions, as appropriate.
· Ensures positive perceptions of the JAG Nevada program within schools by developing and maintaining positive, effective working relationships with students, families, principals, and school personnel including teachers, administrators, and members of the Advisory Committee.
· Conducts parent/family outreach and education activities to the students to strengthen family/school partnerships and facilitate career exploration, college selection, and financial planning.
· Advocates for the program and develops a pool of effective community support resources by collaborating with employers, parents, civic groups, and legislators to build awareness of and support for the program; develops job opportunities, participates in public relations activities, attends meetings, and speaks to various community groups.
· Builds appreciation for teamwork, sense of belonging, and commitment to community service among JAG Nevada students by organizing and serving as advisor to a JAG Nevada Career Association; creates training opportunities through hands-on activities, film presentations, guest speakers, and workshops; assists with civic and social opportunities.
· Provides students with guidance, counseling, and support within appropriate limits; refers students to additional support services on an as-needed basis; takes responsibility for learning and complying with school policies such as mandated reporting, discipline, and attendance.
· Provides opportunities for student activity and engagement throughout the summer, documenting activities in JAGForce.
· Assists students in finding and maintaining quality employment and/or post-secondary educational programs upon graduation; works closely with students and employers for 12 months after the end of the school year to ensure a satisfactory employment outcome; develops a plan for contacts with non-graduates to ensure effective transition to employment or additional education.
· Connect the full cohort of students to and/or organize and lead career exploration activities to higher education institutions, business and industry, and other community-based activities and events.
· Provides supportive services to program participants for the 12-month follow-up period post-high school graduation to ensure successful transition to postsecondary education, employment and/or military. If students are non-graduates, JAG Multi-Year Specialists will provide support services to these students to ensure attainment of diploma or General Educational Development (GED) Examination during the follow-up period.
· Participates in staff, regional, and statewide meetings, and staff development activities.
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to $47,503.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
