Career Pathways Consultant - Regional Professional Development Center

Career Pathways Consultant

The Southeast Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) has been housed on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University since 1996. The Center serves approximately 84 school districts in the southeast region. RPDC personnel provide training programs for the teachers and administrators throughout the area on a continuous basis. Primary

Responsibilities include:

• Work with schools and regional partners to support the development of aligned, high-impact career pathways that reflect Missouri's evolving workforce needs
• Assist Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in facilitating externships and collaborate with the Career Advisors in developing and enhancing comprehensive career development programs and processes
• Identify and leverage key resources to develop productive connections between people and initiatives in support of the Pathways system
• Help build strong buy-in to the Pathways concept
• Promote the Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) and Programs of Study to employers
• Assist LEAs in finding work-based learning opportunities for their students while ensuring employers are benefiting in a workforce pipeline
• Assist employers in finding ways to overcome barriers for student participation in work-based learning experiences
• Review Pathways grant proposals that provide support for Pathways sponsors to ensure successful programming and forward recommendations to Career Pathways Manager
• Collaborate on a regular basis with DESE Missouri Career Pathways Regional Manager to ensure regional and state programs are aligned and complementary
• Collaborate with Career Advisors to align teacher externships with regional non-traditional STEAM events
• Promote, provide, and assist individuals and groups with information regarding the Registered Youth Apprenticeship Program
• Gather and post information to a shared resource/shared calendar
• Participate in meetings of community stakeholders to monitor program progress and provide consultative assistance in program development
• Participate in chamber of commerce, workforce, and industry-related meetings, as needed
• Attend and actively participate in weekly and monthly DESE resource, support, and training meetings
• Attend and participate in in-person meetings, conferences and workshops around the state, multi-day statewide Career Pathways coordination meetings, and engagement with workforce partners, CTE specialists as required by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
• Attend and represent Career Pathways initiatives at state and national conferences as assigned by DESE
• Travel within assigned Career Pathway region

• Bachelor's degree in Education
• Five (5) years of significant experience in education, workforce development, or economic development, comprised of a combination of post-secondary education and professional experience in administrative, senior consulting, or executive responsibilities in an education, workforce, or economic development setting
• Strong public speaking and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead group discussions and engage partners around shared values toward a common vision
• Good listening skills and ability to think strategically and to synthesize core concepts from multiple speakers, helping to resolve disparities of perspective and reach agreement
• Ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple projects, and ensure timely preparation of reports
• Knowledge of education and workforce issues, and a commitment to strengthening their personal capabilities in supporting pathways
• Knowledge of the Missouri Pathways model and developing professional relationships with stakeholders and decision makers
• Maintain familiarity with school improvement models and organizations, and the current policy environment (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [WIOA], Every Student Succeeds Act [ESSA], and Perkins)
• Ability and means to travel in the state of Missouri on a regular basis

Final date to receive applications:
To ensure full consideration, application materials must be received by May 15, 2026. The position will be available July 1, 2026 and will remain open until filled.

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