18100000 - ED-STUDENT SERVICES

Academic Program Spec II

The Academic Program Specialist II is responsible for coordinating internship placements for all educator preparation programs at the University of Florida as well as practicum/field experience placements for select programs.  Serves as liaison for the College of Education with Alachua County schools and the School Board of Alachua County.  Coordinates with all Florida School districts to determine district need and internship requirements. Responsible for verification of all internship placements, practicum placements and field experience placements.  Uses LiveText by Watermark, Field Experience Module to create and distribute and review Internship Application materials, various surveys, evaluation, and appraisal forms, and maintain placements.  Use this data with the Director of Clinical Experiences and Program Coordinators to review quality of placements, mentors and supervisors.  Responsible for advising current and former students on the Professional Certification process for Florida and out-of-state teacher candidates, completing forms for Approved Program Verification, letters for Master’s Pay, and renewal of professional certification.

Outreach Liaison to Schools and districts:

• Establishes, maintains, and manages relationships with all Florida public school districts, school level administrators, and subject area teachers, counselors and school psychologists to promote partnerships for placement of UF educator preparation students in appropriate school and other clinical settings.
• Maintains contact with all Florida school districts to determine district need and student teacher requirements.
• Maintains current knowledge of local, state and federal regulations in Florida school districts.
• Monitors the Field Experience & Internship portion of the College of Education website.
• Facilitates updates and helps develop field and clinical experience handbooks, databases, and web-based materials, including the following: UF Internship Handbook, Procedures for School Internships, Internship Application Deadlines, LiveText by Watermark FieldExperience Module, School District Map of UF Interns.

Coordinates and verifies Internship and Field Experience/Practicum Placements:

• Coordinates UF Teach Mathematics Science field experience placements.
• Oversees the preparation of volunteer surveys for all Alachua County schools to recruit teachers willing to host intern and practicum/field placement students for the following semester.  Updates each survey semesterly to reflect current courses and correct grade level needed for placements.
• Maintains LiveText by Watermark Field Experience Module for all educator preparation programs. Manages internship placements for educator preparation programs at the University of Florida across three colleges (College of Education, College of Fine Arts, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences), working directly with Program Coordinators in each College.  Designs, develops, and conducts, under the direction of the Director of Clinical Experiences the Internship Orientation for programs, including Elementary, Early Childhood, Special Education, Music Education, and Agriculture Education for the fall and spring terms.
• Design and develops, under the direction of the Director of Clinical Experiences, Professional Orientation Seminars for all programs during the fall and spring terms.  Responsible for helping with the coordination placement workshop with Program Coordinators to determine internship placements for the following semester. Visits all programs to share this information with student.
• Maintains LiveText by Watermark Field Experience Module for teaching/school counseling/school psychology/educational leadership placements for accreditation purposes.
• Advises students regarding placement issues.
• Collects and reviews internship applications and places interns with school districts.
• Works with students to verify that all online materials are accurate and complete.  Work with students to make corrections when errors occur.
• Responsible for overseeing the preparation of electronic materials and requests for placement both locally and with distant school districts.
• Verify with all students during the summer their intent to intern during the fall term.
• Maintains internship records and certifies completion for out of state teaching certification applications and for accreditation purposes.
• Works under the direction of the Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships to address problems that develop between   all school districts and other clinical placements and the University student.  Coordinates directly with the University supervisor or program coordinator to monitor action.
• Tracks and provides data related to problems associated with student teaching
• Responsible for providing internship tracking reports to the school districts and other clinical sites hosting candidates.
• Responsible for overseeing the completion of Intern and Practicum Evaluations via LiveText by Watermark Field Experience Module. Send out reminder emails as needed.

Coordinates information and verification of Professional Educator Certification and Fee Waivers/Awards

• Coordinates the professional certification process for all current students, alumni, and eligible faculty in educator preparation programs. Advise students and graduates regarding professional certification and resources. Interpret state reciprocity and certification requirements, and translate information to advise students, alumni and others concerning a broad range of in- state and out-of-state certification issues and problems.
• Complete out-of-state forms for verification of completing an approved program.  Provide letters for alumni seeking master’s level pay and for faculty seeking recertification through the state of Florida.
• Coordinates verifications of all placements and awarding of certificates of participation (Fee Wavers).Manages fee waiver database.
• Coordinates with fee waiver awardees through memoranda via USPS, email and phone and issues fee waiver for program participants on request.
• Coordinates completion of Certificates of participation with Provost Office and keeps records of fee waiver that are awarded Provides proof of internship to school district offices as requested by mentor teachers so that they can earn in-service points toward recertification.
• Works under the direction of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Director of Clinical Experiences in selection of appropriate annual educator recognition awards i.e. Teacher Appreciation and Clinical Edugator of the year.  Responsible for managing the ordering of and distribution of educator recognition awards annually.
• Extensive public contact on a daily basis, demonstrating presence and availability for students, faculty and supervisor.  This includes within the office setting ie door open etc. when appropriate.
• Consults with Associate Dean and leadership team on program direction and development for educator preparation and certification.
• Responsible for UF confidential student and school district records.

Salary is negotiable, competitive, and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of appropriate experience. 
• School-related experience preferred.
• Detail-oriented, very organized and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Computer and data base skills.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.