Maryland State Education Association
 

Educator Apprenticeship Specialist
(temporary position, 2-year maximum)

Based in Maryland

 

Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) is the Maryland affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA). MSEA is a union and professional association headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland representing 76,000 educators and school employees working in Maryland’s public schools. MSEA is dedicated to improving the teaching and learning experience; negotiating professional compensation and advocating for increased education funding and working conditions for public school employees; promoting academic achievement for all students; and protecting labor, civil and human rights for all.

JOB SUMMARY: The Educator Apprenticeship Specialist (Specialist) provides coaching and support for Resident Apprentices participating in Maryland’s MSDE-approved Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP). The Specialist, in partnership with the local affiliate, will analyze how their collective bargaining agreement intersects with RTAP. Working under the direction of the CEPP AED, assigned UniServ Director and/or chief negotiator, the specialist will facilitate this understanding while maintaining organizational alignment. The specialist monitors and collaborates with local affiliates serving on the Joint Apprenticeship Teacher Committee (JATC) and other public meetings; and supports members in addressing program-related conditions within their assigned counties. The Specialist coordinates with CEPP Assistant Executive Director (AED), CEPP Policy Specialists and Organizational Development Specialists, and local affiliate Governance and UniServ Directors when organizing program activities, facilitating informational sessions, etc. This position supports apprentice growth through conference meetings and aligned feedback while working collaboratively with journeyworkers and program leadership, if possible. This role advances educator quality, workforce sustainability, and student learning by ensuring apprentices receive high-quality, standards-aligned supervision that is grounded in equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement. This work directly contributes to expanding apprenticeship opportunities and improving long-term career outcomes for participants. This position is structured as a temporary appointment due to current funding and program status; the Association anticipates reassessing long-term staffing needs based on program outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promotes and works for the implementation of programs and adherence of policies adopted by MSEA/NEA.
• Assists with the MSDE RTAP design development and implementation of program supports for assigned local affiliates.
• Serves as a CEPP specialist in supporting MSEA’s Conditional License Support Program. 
• Develops, collects, and analyzes qualitative and quantitative data related to apprentice participation, licensure preparation, journeyworker capacity, affiliate readiness, workload intensity, and resource utilization to assess program feasibility and scalability.
• Documents implementation barriers, policy misalignments, and capacity gaps at the state and local level, elevates findings to CEPP AED with actionable recommendations.
• Supports the development of interim and end-of-term feasibility reports, summarizing program impact, operational demands, risks, and return on investment.
• Contributes to a scoped analysis of identifying apprenticeship functions that are best sustained through staff, affiliate leadership, contracted support, or shared governance structures.
• Maintains a growth mindset and provides differentiated support responsive to apprentice needs.
• Plans, participates in, and serves as a trainer for MSEA programs and state/local affiliate leadership development activities, as needed.
• Facilitates problem-solving and coordinates supports to local governance, local UniServ Director, and CEPP AED concerning the member workplace and apprenticeship program.
• Monitors nationwide apprenticeship models, identifies emerging best practices, evaluates applicability to Maryland, and supports the development and implementation of strategic initiatives to expand MSEA’s conditional certification apprenticeship pathway.
• Attends meetings of MSEA, local affiliates, MSDE, Maryland Labor Board, apprenticeship boards/committees in an advisory capacity. Participates in required program events.
• Assists Center for Organizing and Advocacy (COA) and Legal, with MOU construction when requested.
• Research, drafts, and contributes to education and policy white papers, briefs, and guidance documents that inform decision-making and policy implications related to educator preparation, apprenticeship pathways, workforce sustainability, and future program investment; works with Public Affairs as needed.
• Supports the development and maintenance of apprenticeship-related professional learning resources within the MSEA Professional Learning Portal (PLP) for apprentices, mentors, and affiliates. Analyzes participation and engagement data to inform program effectiveness and scalability.
• Engages effectively with individuals, stakeholders, local/state/national associations, and education agencies inside and outside MSEA, to strengthen collaboration and promote member involvement, including supporting the development and implementation of membership promotion and retention activities.
• Works extended hours including weekends and evenings, when necessary, to perform assigned responsibilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Baccalaureate Degree required.
• Significant experience in classroom teaching experience and experience mentoring adult learners, or equivalent job experience required.
• Experience working with teachers, education support personnel, or public sector labor relations.
• Knowledge of Maryland certification and licensure processes. 
• Demonstrated understanding of educator apprenticeship models and the roles, responsibilities, and standards of operation of labor unions.
• Experience contributing to program evaluation, feasibility studies, implementation reviews, or strategic pilots in education, workforce development, or labor-management initiatives.
• Experience with coaching, mentoring, standards-based assessment, public relations, community organizing, political action, and education reform issues.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent and expert judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness within the association, relative to affiliates and outside organizations/agencies that are important to accomplish association goals.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and analyze various alternatives in determining an appropriate course of action and initiative to implement corrective action.
• Demonstrated ability to perform duties with a high level of efficiency and accuracy.
• Experience in developing, motivating, training, and maintaining cadres of volunteers and activists.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, motivate, or lead individuals or groups to achieve organizational objectives. 
• Demonstrated ability in working with confidential data and maintaining confidentiality.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating labor unions and/or community organizing.
• Broad understanding of critical issues and problems facing public education employees and their organizations.
• Proficiency in verbal and written communication.
• Ability and willingness to periodically engage in travel and work extended hours, Including some weekends.
• Has a valid US driver’s license that complies with the state of Maryland.

Compensation
Salary: Annual salary $100,000

Date of Employment: As soon as possible
Submission deadline: Open until filled
Length of Assignment: Maximum, up to two years from the date of hire
Email address: careers@mseanea.org

To Apply:
Interested applicants should submit a résumé, cover letter and employment application to the email address above. Applications can be downloaded from the MSEA Careers website at marylandeducators.org. All applications must be typed.

MSEA is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
MSEA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at MSEA are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or disability.