Credential Specialist

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SCHOOL OF EDUCATION (TLC) - Credential Specialist

Job Classification

Hourly Half-time (20-29)

Position summary

Serve as the Certification Officer for the School of Education and International Studies (SEIS). This position includes advising undergraduate and graduate students on certification, licensure, endorsement, and program completion requirements, maintaining official records, and monitoring candidate progress. The role coordinates admissions to teacher education and SEIS graduate programs, supports formal recommendations for licensure and certification through the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, the State of Michigan, and other jurisdictions, and manages communication and advising for partnership programs with Seventh-day Adventist unions and conferences.

Qualifications summary

• Punctuality and dependability
• Strong organizational and people skills
• Knowledge of graduate level practices
• Two years minimum professional experience in education and/or office areas
• A good knowledge of a variety of computer applications programs including word processing and Microsoft Office applications
• An ability to make decisions and keep confidentiality
• Must communicate well and be able to problem-solve, evaluate and prioritize

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Duties and responsibilities

Serve as the Certification Officer for the School of Education and International Studies (SEIS). This position includes advising undergraduate and graduate students on certification, licensure, endorsement, and program completion requirements, maintaining official records, and monitoring candidate progress. The role coordinates admissions to teacher education and SEIS graduate programs, supports formal recommendations for licensure and certification through the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, the State of Michigan, and other jurisdictions, and manages communication and advising for partnership programs with Seventh-day Adventist unions and conferences. The position supports enrollment, scheduling, billing coordination, assessment, accreditation, program development, bulletin updates, and representing SEIS with partner organizations and at professional conferences.

The position includes the following duties:

• Provide academic advising, specific to licensure and certification, for candidates in undergraduate and graduate education programs that lead to certification in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, licensure and/or endorsement in the State of Michigan, and, as required, licensure and/or endorsement in other jurisdictions.

• Maintain official records for Teacher Education Program Completion, Michigan State Licensure for Teaching, Educational Administration, and School Psychology.

• Monitor candidates' progress in their respective programs and advise candidates as necessary for changes to the programs that lead to successful program completion and licensure.

• Evaluate transcripts, syllabi and other academic records for alignment and compliance with program, licensure, certification, and course requirements.

• Coordinate candidates' formal admission to the Teacher Education Program (typically in the third semester of residency)

• Convene a panel of program directors and faculty for the formal recommendation of candidates to the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, the State of Michigan, and, as required, other jurisdictions for licensure, certification, or endorsement.

• Formally recommend program completers to the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, the State of Michigan, and, as required, other jurisdictions for licensure, certification, or endorsement.

• Coordinate graduate admissions across the SEIS, working as liaison between the university Office of Graduate Admissions, SEIS program directors, and applicants for admissions to SEIS graduate programs.

• Coordinate communication, scheduling, enrollment, academic advising, and recording keeping for education partnerships (MOU) with Seventh-day Adventist unions and conferences for teacher certification and degree program candidates, including but not limited to:

• Maintaining regular, timely communication with union registrars and conference staff

• Maintaining and distributing a five-year schedule of courses that will be available for in-service teachers who are either degree candidates or maintaining certification

• Coordinate with the Office of Graduate Admissions to ensure timely enrollment of MOU students

• Assist MOU students with registration for classes

• Provide academic advising for MOU students, specifically with respect to coursework for certification

• Coordinate with the School of Leadership and areas within SEIS for timely and accurate communication, recordkeeping, and advising for MOU partners and students

• Assist the Office of Student Finance with coding MOU student accounts for billing on an ongoing, semester-by-semester basis

• Provide data and task support for assessment, accreditation, and program development, including, but not limited to, academic and demographic data

• Work with the program directors and school chair to develop and maintain accurate education program information for the University Bulletin

• Represent the Teacher Education Program with Union Conference partners in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist education system for matters related to teacher certification.

• Represent the Teacher Education Program at local, regional, and national conferences for matters related to teacher certification.

Supervisory responsibilities

N/A

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be detail oriented and perform each essential duty accurately. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Good skills with working with people.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

At least a Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or equivalent and six months to one year related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Need a good understanding of academic records. Must have knowledge of strong organizational and computer skills. Quality Control Analysis and record keeping are essential.

An ability to make decisions and keep confidentiality

Must communicate well and be able to problem-solve, evaluate and prioritize.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as transcripts. bulletins. minutes. general instructions. and procedure manuals. Ability to write correspondence. Ability to speak effectively and clearly with individuals/students.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts, such as semester credits to quarter credits, and do general math.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Technical competencies

Strong computer skills, including: word processing; spreadsheets; email; Google Workspace; and communication tools such as Zoom and Teams.

Interpersonal interactions

Strong people and communication skills

The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work environment

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job in a university office setting.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.