Position Function:
Manage a variety of activities, projects, grants, and requests for services from external clients and customers, as well as internal MSU and Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) related projects. The Program Manager will plan and implement programs and projects related to K12 workforce/career development. This individual will manage and work with other RCU and MDE staff to complete the project(s). The programs and projects are education related and will require working with elementary, middle, and secondary schools alongside workforce. Projects will include developing and coordinating training both in-person and online to include creating and monitoring a webpage. Activities for this job may include projects that will need curriculum development, evaluation, and professional learning.
Salary Grade: 15
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Visit www.rcu.msstate.edu
Area of Specialization:
Workforce Development
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following examples are intended as illustrations only of the various types of duties that may be assigned to this position. The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude those tasks from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.
• Receive directives from the Mississippi Department of Education to coordinate and implement the K-12 Workforce Development Guide by providing support to schools ensuring a cohesive, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused approach that is rigorous, engaging, and relevant for students.
• Lead the implementation of the Mississippi Department of Education's vision for a statewide workforce development system. The role will focus on working with school districts to foster partnerships among business, industry, and community organizations to align workforce needs and educational initiatives.
• Ensure that students in K-12 settings have access to career opportunities and training aligned with state workforce demands, supporting both economic development and individual success.
• Guide and support districts across Mississippi in developing and strengthening partnerships among businesses, educational systems, economic development organizations, and workforce agencies to ensure alignment with state-wide workforce development goals.
• Collaborate with other workforce development state agencies, identify critical workforce needs while tracking and analyzing workforce data to ensure alignment between educational outcomes and labor market demands.
• Assess and incorporate best practices from national workforce development models to enhance outcomes.
• Promote awareness of workforce development initiatives through public relations, media campaigns, and targeted marketing efforts.
• Serve as a support for K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions, and industry partners to ensure aligned career pathways.
• Support districts in implementing innovative programs such as internships, career fairs, apprenticeships, and mentorships to support student readiness for the workforce.
• Represent the Mississippi Department of Education and RCU in public forums.
• Foster engagement with local and regional partners.
• Pursue and manage diversified funding sources, including grants and private sector investments to sustain workforce initiatives.
• Collaborate with district-level career and technical education (CTE) leaders and teachers to expand programming and address emerging workforce trends.
• Participate in mid-year and end-of-year performance evaluations.
• Meet bi-monthly, or as needed, with MDE Associate State Superintendent of CTE and Workforce Development to review progress toward meeting job responsibilities.
• Attend staff meetings with the RCU.
• Must work independently to lead projects from beginning to end.
• Serves in a support role to all divisions within the RCU.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to meet workforce development objectives.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and three years of experience in education, post-secondary level and/or working in career and technical education, or industry.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree and/or five years’ experience working in workforce or education-related organizations in administration, training, curriculum, or project/grant management activities.
Valid Mississippi Educator Professional License preferred but not required.
Experience with industry and networking.
Experience in presenting to various types of audiences (example: educators, workforce, community).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Ability to innovate and work as both a team member and team leaders. Strong ability to work autonomously and independently to manage project. Experience with planning and managing project budgets and reporting. Understanding of curriculum and assessment development. Experience with making presentations and leading meetings. Ability to organize and manage projects and prepare a written plan with objectives, actions, milestones, budgets, timelines, success measurements, and evaluation methods. Ability to anticipate barriers to project completion; plan and manage contingencies. Ability to write grants and proposals for external funding. Knowledge of using technology to deliver products and services. Experience with online learning management systems is a plus. Knowledge of education trends in the areas Academic Standards, Career Pathways, innovative high school designs, leadership, 21st century skills, and college and career readiness. Knowledge of workforce trends in Mississippi. Must have strong knowledge of instructional and emerging technologies.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting, and most work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility. It would require loading/unloading vehicle of education material used for any training(s) or conference(s).
Requires moderate to extensive travel with some overnight stays. Travel to schools in Mississippi and visit to out-of-state partner organizations and schools.
Externally imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one's control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position; may involve conflict-resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress on a regular basis. Expectations and job assignments will change frequently.
Job frequently requires sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects with hands
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Apply online and submit a resume, cover letter and the complete contact information for at least 3 references
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
