Certification Officer

Job Title:

Certification Officer

Full or Part Time:

Full time

Hours:

40

Exempt:

Yes

Supervisory Org:

College of Education (PM)

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY:  Serve as official liaison between the Michigan Department of Education and Saginaw Valley State University.

 

Recommend to the Michigan Department of Education all Saginaw Valley State University graduates and post-graduate candidates judged to be eligible for certificates and endorsements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assure that undergraduate and graduate programs comply with the State of Michigan Teacher Certification Laws and Administrative Rules.
• Coordinate and oversee candidate certification processes, including certification applications, temporary approvals, additional endorsements, administrator certification reviews, and degree audits.
• Serve as a liaison for prospective and current candidates regarding educator preparation programs, certification requirements, endorsement pathways, transfer credit evaluations, and degree completion requirements.  
• Collaborate with faculty to maintain program handbooks, catalogs, policies, procedures, and website content to ensure accuracy and compliance with institutional and state requirements
• Coordinate operational processes supporting educator preparation programs through Michigan Online Educator Certification Systems (MOECS)
• Oversee the preparation of required reports and documents for the Michigan Department of Education.
• Inform the College of Education faculty on a regular basis of proposed/mandated changes in certification regulations affecting endorsement areas.
• Attend all Directors and Representatives of Teacher Education Programs (DARTEP) meetings and other group sessions related to Michigan Teacher Certification.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

General supervision is received from the Dean of the College of Education

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Knowledge of Michigan Department of Education laws pertaining to the teaching profession and certification requirements.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to address large groups.
• Diplomacy in working with prospective and current students, faculty, and staff.
• Integrity to deal with material of a highly confidential nature.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and in a team-oriented environment.
• Facility with information systems and social media platforms.
• Ability to solve problems by exercising independent judgments based on standards, guidelines, and policies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly.
• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree or enrollment in a master’s program preferred.

 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

• Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.
• All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan.

 

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout their employment. The university does not provide employment visa sponsorship now or in the future for this job classification.

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU was recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for 9 consecutive years (2016-2024).

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels.  SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed.
 
More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2025). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.