POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Teacher Certification Officer
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 2441
GRADE 46
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Dean, College of Education
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Teacher Certification Officer oversees the certification of teacher candidates from undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs and communicates changes to certification requirements and assessments associated with those changes to all stakeholders. The Teacher Certification Officer coordinates the post-baccalaureate teacher certification application and admission to the University process and collaborates with masters-level teacher certification programs. The Teacher Certification Officer consults with University departments, units, and committees regarding matters pertaining to the certification process and assessments pertaining to teacher certification.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master’s degree in Education or Higher Education Administration is required.
Experience: At least five years of related experience in a college or university or a minimum of five years of experience as a teacher or administrator in a K-12 school setting is required.
Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills and familiarity with complex administrative systems are required. The ability and willingness to learn certification processes and requirements and related assessment reports, especially in Missouri, are required. Knowledge of teacher certification requirements in Missouri is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Knowledge of the operation of University support units and academic departments is preferred. Knowledge of University policies and procedures is preferred.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Collects, manages, and analyzes data to demonstrate compliance with policies and requirements of the University, individual education programs, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and accreditation bodies.
2. Oversees the management and administration of the Professional Educational Services database.
3. Monitors the DESE work log of teacher certification applicants, verifies eligibility, and recommends teacher candidates to DESE for certification and performs system administration responsibilities within the DESE administrative system.
4. Oversees the process of MSU teacher certification candidates transferring their teaching certificate to other states including completing out-of-state verification forms.
5. Oversees applications for provisional certification through DESE, involving communication with local school districts, DESE, teacher education programs, and the teacher candidates.
6. Attends state and University meetings regarding teacher certification requirement updates and acts as a resource for teacher education certification programs across the University.
7. Collaborates with programs to maintain the DESE certification matrix and ensures that programs meet DESE certification requirements by updating programmatic matrices submitted to DESE for approval.
8. Completes certification documents, communicates certification information to all student teacher candidates, and monitors candidates’ required assessments for certification.
9. Collaborates with the MSU College of Education’s Coordinator, Assessment Data Systems to ensure that required certification assessments are uploaded to Banner and ensures that data is provided to the Assessment Office for annual reporting.
10. Provides certification information to programs and responds to information requests from faculty, staff, school district administration, and teacher candidates regarding initial certification.
11. Oversees the postbaccalaureate teacher certification application and admission to the University process.
12. Admits postbaccalaureate teacher certification students to Missouri State University and assigns major codes.
13. Assists the Education Advisement Office with the Master of Arts in Teaching advisement process.
14. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
15. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Dean.
16. Contributes to the success of the College of Education by performing all other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Teacher Certification Officer is supervised by the Dean, College of Education.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2021
