CAVA - Work Based Learning Specialist, HS in Simi Valley, California at CAVA

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA VIRTUAL ACADEMIES AND THE WORK-BASED LEARNING SPECIALIST, HIGH SCHOOL POSITION:

The California Virtual Academies (a network of 9 public charter schools) delivers online/virtual home based instruction to students in grades TK-12 in California. We use K12, inc. as our curriculum provider for the basis of instruction and teachers provide live instruction via the Engageli platform. While our schools do offer some scheduling flexibility, students are still required to log into the online school daily, complete coursework, and attend instructional sessions.

The Work-Based Learning Specialist supports the development and expansion of meaningful career exploration and work-based learning opportunities for students to strengthen engagement, college and career readiness, and postsecondary outcomes. This role collaborates with school leadership, industry partners, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations to connect students with real-world experiences that strengthen academic, technical, and employability skills. The specialist also supports career readiness programming, student certifications, and postsecondary planning while promoting equitable access to opportunities and reducing barriers to participation. The position is responsible for tracking student participation and outcomes, maintaining required documentation, and using data and educational partner feedback to improve program effectiveness and expand access to high-quality career readiness opportunities aligned with the school’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).

HOURS AND SALARY INFORMATION:
Full time: Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm You are not allowed to have another job during these contracted hours
Annual Salary: $68,640

We do participate in CalPERS. Please contact your CalPERS counselor about how employment with any of the California Virtual Academies may affect your personal PERS account. Only full time employees are offered health, dental, and vision benefits. Benefits information is only given out upon offer. We do provide training for all programs and we have a great staff to serve as your support system.

Job Description

Job Title: Work-Based Learning Specialist, High School
Reports To: High School CTE Principal
FLSA Status: Exempt, 12-month contract
Department: High School

Overview:
The Work-Based Learning Specialist supports the development and expansion of meaningful career exploration and work-based learning opportunities for students to strengthen engagement, college and career readiness, and postsecondary outcomes. This role collaborates with school leadership, industry partners, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations to connect students with real-world experiences that strengthen academic, technical, and employability skills. The specialist also supports career readiness programming, student certifications, and postsecondary planning while promoting equitable access to opportunities and reducing barriers to participation. The position is responsible for tracking student participation and outcomes, maintaining required documentation, and using data and educational partner feedback to improve program effectiveness and expand access to high-quality career readiness opportunities aligned with the school’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).

This position is funded through LCFF Supplemental and Concentration funds and supports the implementation of supplemental services and programs aligned with the school’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) to improve student engagement, college and career readiness, postsecondary outcomes, and access to career exploration and work-based learning opportunities, particularly for unduplicated pupils.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the CTE Program Coordinator to expand and enhance supplemental Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities that provide students with access to real-world applications of academic, technical, and employability skills beyond the core instructional program
• Develop and support systems for tracking CTE student participation in WBL experiences to evaluate access, engagement, and outcomes, with a focus on expanding opportunities for underserved student groups
• Closely monitor and track all documentation and forms required for WBL while providing guidance and support to students and families in navigating WBL opportunities, ensuring equitable access and successful participation
• Conduct follow-up surveys and collect feedback from students and industry partners to assess the quality and impact of WBL experiences for CTE students and partners to inform for program improvement
• Build and maintain partnerships with business, industry, postsecondary institutions, and military organizations to increase the availability and diversity of career exploration and WBL opportunities for CTE students
• Develop and maintain resources that support career exploration and postsecondary planning, including information on career pathways, labor market trends, and educational requirements for continued improvement of CTE student opportunities
• Monitor student engagement in WBL experiences and collaborate with partners to enhance the quality and relevance of opportunities, ensuring alignment with student interests and goals
• Assist in facilitating career preparedness workshops and enrichment activities for CTE students designed to build employability skills, career awareness, and postsecondary readiness
• Provide students with information and guidance on post-secondary education and career pathways to support informed decision-making and long-term success
• Collaborate with program leadership to evaluate student participation and outcomes in WBL and workforce development training, using data to improve access and program effectiveness
• Promote the integration of career exploration and WBL opportunities into existing programs as an enhancement to the core instructional experience
• Support the use of technology tools that expand student access to career exploration, planning, and WBL opportunities
• Recruit and develop additional WBL sites and partnerships to increase student access to high-quality enrichment opportunities
• Ability to interpret the regulations, policies, procedures, techniques, and rules governing student employment and participation in WBL opportunities.
• Collaborate with CTE Admin and student support teams to address barriers to participation and ensure inclusive access to WBL and career readiness experiences
• Assist in scheduling, facilitating, and tracking CTE certifications for CTE students. This includes national certification opportunities and other relevant student CTE testing events
• Participate in meetings and professional development aligned to the implementation of LCAP goals, college and career readiness initiatives, and student engagement strategies
• Support program activities aligned to the school’s LCAP goals and initiatives designed to improve student engagement, college and career readiness, and access to meaningful career exploration opportunities
• Attend meetings, as assigned, that support the implementation of the program identified student needs and the allowable uses of funds for the position
• Support the coordination and administration of assessments, including make-up testing, in alignment with the schoolwide programs and to support student achievement
• Perform other program-related duties, as assigned, that are consistent with the funding source, the approved program plan, and the allowable and intended uses of funds for the position

Education/Experience:

• Experience in CTE or related field
• Experience in Work-Based Learning
• Superior organizational skills/detail oriented
• Able to balance and complete multiple projects within given deadlines
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and TVS
• Self-directed but comfortable working as part of a team
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Bachelor’s Degree

Certificates and Licenses:

N/A

Competencies:

Business Ethics:
Inspires the trust of others; Keeps commitments; Treats people with respect; Upholds organizational values; Works with integrity and ethically

Communications:
Exhibits good listening and comprehension; Expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; Keeps others adequately informed; Selects and uses appropriate communication methods

Leadership:
Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires respect and trust; Motivates others to perform well; Reacts well under pressure; Shows courage to act

Managing People:
Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Includes subordinates in planning; Makes self-available to subordinates; Provides direction and gains compliance; Provides regular performance feedback; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities

Planning & Organization:
Integrate changes smoothly; Plans for additional resources; Prioritizes and plans work activities; Sets goals and objectives; Uses time efficiently; Works in an organized manner

Quality Management:
Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services; Measures key outcomes; Sets clear quality requirements; Solicits and applies customer feedback

Team Leadership:
Acknowledges team accomplishments; Defines team roles and responsibilities; Ensures progress toward goals; Fosters team cooperation; Supports group problem solving

Use of Technology:
Adapts to new technologies; Demonstrates required skills; Keeps technical skills up to date; Troubleshoots technological problems; Uses technology to increase productivity
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. A flexible schedule is required.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.
Restrictions on Time Off:
TBD based on the school calendar

* Use of sick time under the California Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 may be approved during the above restricted dates
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.