THECB - Program Specialist V, College and Career Advising

General Description:

This position will maintain and support the content development and upkeep of materials for a broad portfolio of college and career resources targeted at parents, guardians, high school counselors and advisers, and others as identified. Work involves ensuring the facts and details are correct so that project’s/program’s deliverable(s) will meet the needs of key stakeholders and users. Work also involves supporting numerous concurrent projects with key external stakeholders. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Content and Resources.

General Duties And Responsibilities:

Content Development and Maintenance

• Serves as subject matter expert to create and curate content and resources for THECB products and tools targeted at students, parents, guardians, school counselors and advisers.
• Works collaboratively with content, instructional design, and product management teams to meet key milestones in preparation for deploying new resources.
• Performs routine maintenance of K-12 postsecondary and career content included across THECB products and tools to provide suggestions for content updates.
• Collaborates with internal and external partners for content updates and enhancements to THECB special project-related resources including but not limited to, Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Education Agency.
• Ensures content is accurate, accessible, and aligned with agency standards while proactively identifying opportunities for improvement.

Research, Feedback, and Evaluation

• Analyzes feedback from key stakeholders and target audiences for content creation, updates, and enhancements.
• Manages user testing process for functionality, content evaluation, and data collection for all relevant projects.
• Conducts ongoing research and scanning of all available innovative content and resources focused on postsecondary and career access and success to ensure all THECB relevant resources present quality and accurate content; identify areas for improvement and recommend partnership/collaboration opportunities.
• Synthesizes findings into actionable recommendations and integrates continuous improvement processes into content updates.

Project and Stakeholder Management

• Manages multiple concurrent projects, monitors progress against deadlines and communicates status updates clearly to supervisors and stakeholders.
• Delivers responsive and professional service to internal and external stakeholders, including parents, guardians, counselors, and institutional partners.
• Adapts to changing assignments, policies, and timelines with flexibility and professionalism.
• Takes initiative to identify opportunities for process improvements and demonstrates accountability for outcomes.
• Performs other duties as assigned. This may include ad hoc content review or development requests from within the division or other THECB divisions.
• This position is authorized for a hybrid telework schedule. Employees are required to work in the office three (3) days per week, with the remaining two days eligible for teleworking. Specific in-office days may be determined by the department to meet business needs.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Knowledge of techniques for establishing workflows and road maps for developing and delivering products and services to high school educators and parents/guardians.
• Knowledge in college and career readiness advising frameworks and best practices.
• Skilled in researching to identify recommendations for content improvement
• Skilled in analyzing and interpreting qualitative data gathered from surveys targeted at parents, guardians, higher education students and advisers.
• Skilled in maturity, integrity, discretion, positive attitude and grace under pressure.
• Ability to verbally communicate complex information in a clear, organized, and concise manner.
• Ability to engage key stakeholders and communicate technical information to lay audiences using a respectful, client-focused approach.

Telework with Three Required In-Office Days:
This position is authorized for a hybrid telework schedule. Employees are required to work in the office three (3) days per week, with the remaining two days eligible for telework. Specific in-office days may be determined by the department to meet business needs.

Military Crosswalk: Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Program Management

Required Minimum Education And Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of three years professional experience working in educational settings including middle school, high schools, or higher education providing postsecondary and career counseling services to students, and engaging in the professional community of educators, parents, high school counselors, and advisers.

Preferred:

·        Bachelor's degree in adult education/learning, counseling, or education.  

• Master's degree in adult education/learning or counseling.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience working in educational settings including middle, high schools, or higher education providing postsecondary and career counseling services to students and engaging in the professional community of educators.
• Experience working with parents and guardians of students in K-12 on their postsecondary and career plans.
• Experience working as postsecondary and career adviser or advising high school students.

Physical Requirements And/Or Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a standard office environment and requires:

•  Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance at work;
•  Frequent use of personal computer, copiers, printers, and telephones;

• Frequent Sitting;

•  Frequently working under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others.

Workforce:

Must Be Able To:

• Demonstrate knowledge of customer service deliverables.
• Show flexibility and adaptability toward changes in assignments and work schedules, working extended hours as necessary.
• Adhere to the organization’s internal management policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the agency’s performance measures and mission.

Application Requirements:

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A State of Texas application is required to apply. For more information on how to apply for this position, go to the Coordinating Board’s employment opportunities website at  Careers - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board participates in E-Verify for each new employees’ Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For questions, please call the HR Department at 512-427-6190. For vocal and/or hearing assistance call 7-1-1.

Notes To Applicant:

If you require any reasonable accommodation for the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls to schedule your interview. This position has been designated as a security sensitive position. A criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate for this position.

Your job application must be completely filled out. Your application must contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer and a description of duties performed in a way that demonstrates you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes do not take the place of the requirement to include this information on the application. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete.

• Telework with Three Required In-Office Days 
• Applicants must be able to commute to our Austin, TX office at least three (3) days per week. Specific in-office days may be assigned based on business needs.

Veterans Information: THECB is committed to hiring Veterans. To receive Veteran’s Preference, a copy of the FORM DD214 -member #4, must be attached when submitting your application.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: THECB does not discriminate on the basis, of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

Job offer and continuation of employment with THECB is contingent upon:

• Proof of education and experience listed on the application.
• Eligibility/authorization to work in the U.S.
• Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Compliance with the Selective Service Law for males ages 18-25. Please be advised that under Texas law, names and other information concerning applicants or nominees may be subject to disclosure upon request.

THECB does not allow dual employment with other state of Texas agencies or institutions.

Skills assessment may be conducted at time of interview

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.