Company Summary

Michigan Connections Academy (MICA) is a tuition-free, online public school serving students in grades K–12 throughout Michigan. MICA is authorized by Ferris State University Charter Schools Office and governed by an independent Board of Directors. The school is operated by Michigan Connections Academy, a nonprofit corporation, through a contract with CA of Michigan, LLC, to provide its educational program and other services. Connections Academy, a division of Connections Education, is accredited by AdvancED.

Position Summary and Responsibilities

Working from our office in Okemos, Michigan, the Secondary Student Engagement Specialist will promote the academic mission by providing services that strengthen student engagement via home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning. The Secondary Student Engagement Specialist significantly contributes to a students’ daily and overall success by implementing and monitoring policies and requirements in the day-to-day actions of the school, as they use the phone and Internet to consult primarily with students and to a lesser extent learning coaches, ensuring that each child successfully completes his/her instructional and career pathway programs. The Secondary Student Engagement Specialist is responsible for working with students, parents, support staff and certified teachers who “virtually” facilitate a home-based student instructional program.

Other key responsibilities include the following:

• Monitor and enforce the implementation of the schools academic initiatives and policies;
• Ensure the academic success of individual students by utilizing all levels of academic support available and by maintaining a high level of communication with students to deliver program information and address individual student needs;
• Assist and monitor programs and supports in regards to MICA’s Student Engagement Initiative to address students struggling with being chronically absent;
• Ensure adherence to Michigan Connections Academy’s student attendance policies by ensuring a deep knowledge and understanding of the state's and schools attendance and absenteeism requirements;
• Assist teaching staff with implementing any program / process changes;
• Exhibit high quality communication with all staff, students and families;
• Handle and / or assist student problems escalated by parents and teachers;
• Provide assistance to students in need of additional support and encourage a high level of participation;
• Participate in student recruitment and retainment efforts including in-state trips, presentations, Q & A session;
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience
• Ability to travel
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Excellent organizational skills
• Customer focused approach
• Flexible
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast paced environment
• Team player
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office and G Suite products)
• Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)