Job Description

Request to Recruit

Position Title Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL) Navigator (Time-Limited) (Multiple Vacancies) Location Boone, North Carolina Faculty Rank No Provide Rank Position Number 094861 Department Office of Rural Promise - 240105

Position Summary Information

Primary Purpose

The navigator position leads day-to-day interactions with school-level participants and operations for the Education, Innovation, & Research (EIR) federal grant program, awarded to Appalachian State University in August 2026 through the U.S. Department of Education. The 5-year grant program, titled Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL): Strengthening Professional Learning to Advance Reading Knowledge (SPARK), aims to study the effectiveness of an innovative professional learning system that offers a self-directed, competency-based micro-credentialing program to public school teachers in North Carolina. The program will offer stipends to participating teachers. The Navigators will report directly to the ETL Program Director, manage teacher learning contracts, badges, stipends, and assist in the development of new micro-credentials.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in education or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience working directly with and supporting teachers.
• 3-5 years of experience working in public schools as a teacher or professional development specialist.
• Demonstrated knowledge of teacher recertification requirements in North Carolina.
• Must be a dynamic communicator, able to quickly build rapport with others, willing to listen and receive feedback, and adapt to changing needs.
• Must be a self-starter who can operate in a dynamic environment that evolves as it grows.
• Must be willing and able to travel regularly across the state to support teachers in a variety of school locations. Travel is estimated to be roughly 40% of effort.

License/Certification Required Preferred Qualifications

-Master’s Degree in Education or related field

-Experience in facilitating teacher professional learning.

-Experience supporting teachers through teacher-directed professional learning practices and/or micro-credentials.

-Experience operating within a federally-funded grant program.

-Ability to thoughtfully and efficiently design micro-credentials.

-Experience supporting teachers as an external school partner (beyond a teacher/leader within a school).

-Experience in literacy education and/or professional development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to and under the direction of the ETL Program Director, the Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL) Navigator will serve as the direct point of contact for public school teachers participating in the ETL SPARK (Strengthening Professional Learning to Advance Reading Knowledge) grant program, awarded to Appalachian State University in August 2026 through the U.S. Department of Education.

The 5-year grant program, ETL SPARK, aims to study the effectiveness of an innovative professional learning system that offers a self-directed, competency-based micro-credentialing program to public school teachers in North Carolina. A team of 4 ETL Navigators are responsible for the coordination, communication, and implementation of the ETL micro-credential framework with 500+ teachers across North Carolina. ETL Navigators are responsible for supporting participants in the completion of a classroom needs assessment, the creation of a learning contract, and ensuring teacher stipend obligations are met.

The range of responsibilities includes, but is not limited to:

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

• Collaborate within a team of ETL Navigators, providing a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment where all team members can thrive.
• Provide excellent support to participating teachers to ensure their participation in the ETL SPARK program produces minimal administrative burden for them.
• Engage in day-to-day management, communication, and administration for EIR, ensuring the grant project is making adequate progress.
• Serve as a direct point of contact to teacher participants (a caseload of approximately 125 teachers each year) to help them “navigate” seamlessly through the ETL framework.
• Ensure each teacher is making progress toward completing their self-directed learning contract and provide status updates to the program leadership team.
• Implement and regularly advocate for departmental mission, vision, and core values.
• Serve as assessor for internally developed micro-credentials and award badges to teacher participants.
• Serve as micro-credential coordinator/Navigator in the writing and development of additional micro-credentials for publication.
• Monitor and provide quality control for internally developed micro-credentials and share feedback, including any necessary updates, for externally developed micro-credentials with the host organization.
• Support teacher development of best practices in literacy, including but not limited to literacy assessment, literacy instruction, literacy intervention, etc.

RECRUITMENT

• Assist in the recruitment of a minimum of 500+ teachers to serve as participants in the ETL SPARK Program.

PARTNER RELATIONS

• Establish, nurture, and sustain positive relationships and collaboration between and among Appalachian State University and partner districts.
• Develop and maintain a culture of support and engagement with partnering school districts.
• Maintain regular contact with and provide regular progress updates to educators and principals regarding grant objectives.
• Travel to participating schools frequently to provide technical and coaching support to teachers and administrators.
• Provide positive, engaging, dynamic support that teachers need to complete the core components of the program (needs assessment, learning contract, micro-credentials, receive stipends).
• Engage closely with the micro-credential host site to ensure a quality experience for participants.

GRANTS MANAGEMENT & COMPLIANCE

• Understand and consistently apply federal and state regulations, institutional policies, and program specifications.
• Work closely with the ETL Stipend Coordinator to ensure teacher stipends are issued accurately, efficiently, timely, and with as little burden as possible on the teachers.
• Work collegially with associated EIR departments (Evaluation, Finance, Compliance) to ensure grant compliance and audit readiness.
• Maintain excellent records of programmatic, administrative, and financial activities of the project and submit to the university on time and with accuracy.
• Ensure consistent implementation of program policies and procedures developed by the Program Director.

RESEARCH & EVALUATION

• Serve as a champion of the research component of the program (randomized controlled trial) to ensure fidelity of implementation among teacher participants.
• Ensure all personally identifiable data is shared and housed securely and managed in accordance with FERPA.
• Adapt program to changing environments/needs/data and course correct as needed, as appropriate, and within the confines of the research design.

Type of Position Full Time Position Staff/Non-Faculty Staff/Non-Faculty VISA Sponsorship? VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S. Appointment Type 1.0 Work Schedule/Hours 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday, with occasional weekend hours as needed (minimal). Number of Hours Per Week 40 Number of Months Per Year 12 Mandatory Staff No Suggested Salary Range $62,000 - $64,000 Physical Demands of Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions

Posting Details Information

Posting Date 10/06/2026 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes Evaluation of Applications Begins 10/13/2026 Proposed Date of Hire 11/23/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants

Please provide a resume, cover letter, and answers to required supplemental questions in the application.

Please enter a minimum of 3 professional references in the application or attach a List of 3 References with Contact Information.

Please note that we are currently hiring for 3 full-time ETL Navigators to serve in this role.

This position is time-limited according to the funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education for EIR, which is anticipated to expire in August 2031.

Search Chair Name James Beeler Search Chair Email beelerje@appstate.edu Quick Link https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/56540 Posting Number 201501866P