Overview
Description: Director of Career Readiness
Salary: Board Approved Salary Schedule/Full-time, 12 months
Location: Darlington County Institute of Technology
Available: 2026-2027 School Year
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Superintendent
Place of Work: The normal place of work is on the premises of Darlington County Institute of Technology. Darlington County School District reserves the right to require you to work at such other place or places as it may reasonably require from time to time.
Job Goal: The Director of Career Readiness serves as the site-based leader of the Darlington County Institute of Technology (DCIT) and the coordination of the district's Career and Technical Education (CTE). This role is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of DCIT while ensuring districtwide CTE programs are aligned, coherent, and focused on preparing students for college, career, or military service. Reporting to the Superintendent, the Director works in close partnership with district leadership, school administrators, business and industry partners, and postsecondary institutions to ensure career readiness is a core outcome for students across Darlington County School District.
Responsibilities
* DCIT Site Leadership: Serves as the instructional and operational leader of DCIT, overseeing staff, students, programs, and facilities.
* DCIT Site Leadership: Establish a strong school culture grounded in professionalism, high expectations, and career-ready behaviors.
* DCIT Site Leadership: Ensure the safe, effective, and efficient use of DCIT facilities, equipment, and instructional technology.
* District CTE Coordination: Coordinate districtwide CTE programming to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with workforce demand.
* District CTE Coordination: Collaborate with high school principals and district leaders to align CTE pathways with graduation requirements and student schedules.
* District CTE Coordination: Support the development and continuous improvement of district CTE pathways, credentials, and work-based learning opportunities.
* Instructional & Program Leadership: Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of DCIT programs with a focus on industry credentials, dual credit, and work-based learning.
* Instructional & Program Leadership: Monitor instructional quality across CTE programs and support professional growth for CTE educators.
* Instructional & Program Leadership: Use enrollment, completion, and credential data to guide program decisions and resource allocation.
* Business & Industry Partnerships: Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local and regional employers and postsecondary institutions.
* Business & Industry Partnerships: Expand opportunities for internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and employer engagement.
* Business & Industry Partnerships: Convene and leverage advisory committees to ensure programs remain relevant and responsive.
* Data, Accountability & Reporting: Use data to track student outcomes, credential attainment, and program effectiveness.
* Data, Accountability & Reporting: Ensure accurate reporting and compliance related to state and federal CTE requirements.
* Data, Accountability & Reporting: Provide regular updates to the Superintendent on DCIT performance and district CTE progress.
* Talent & Operations Leadership: Recruit, develop, and retain high-quality CTE educators and staff.
* Talent & Operations Leadership: Support alternative certification pathways aligned to district workforce needs.
* Talent & Operations Leadership: Develop and manage budgets that support instructional quality and student access.
* Talent & Operations Leadership: Collaborate with district departments on transportation, scheduling, and student services.
Qualifications
Required
* Education and Experience:
o Valid South Carolina certification as a Principal or Vocational Center Director.
o Minimum of five (5) years of secondary education experience, with preference for leadership in Career and Technical Education.
o Demonstrated success leading instructional programs and managing complex operations.
* Preferred
o Experience coordinating CTE programs across multiple schools.
o Experience managing state and federal CTE funding and compliance.
o Strong understanding of workforce alignment and industry credentials.
Special Requirements
* Possess and maintain a SC Driver's License or ability to provide own transportation
* Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings
* Some overnight travel for conferences and meetings
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions
* Work requires the occasional exertion of up to ten pounds of force
* Work regularly requires exchange of accurate and detailed information through oral and written communication
* Constantly operates a computer and other office business equipment
* Ability to remain in stationary position for required meetings/work
* Ability to move to other work locations
* Visual acuity requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities
* Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications
* Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating standard office equipment, use of advanced technology
* Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions
* Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g., business office, light traffic)
* Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions
* Must be adaptable to performing under mild to high levels of stress
* Must be on-call as a regular part of the job
Disclaimer
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this job. Job description is sourced from employee interviews, internal documents, representative job descriptions in similar districts, and other state/federal agencies.
Requirements
A complete application packet must be submitted through the online application system prior to the closing date in order to be considered for this position. ALL of the following requirements must be submitted before the posted deadline:
* Online Administrative Application NOTE: Reference section requires contact information for three (3) supervisory references, one of which must be your current Superintendent; reference forms will be emailed directly to the references listed.
* Letter of Interest
* Resume
* Current Certification
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required application documents are submitted prior to the posted deadline. An incomplete application will render the applicant ineligible for the position posted.
CLOSING DATE: MONDAY, February 1, 2026 at 12:00 Noon, or until filled
The District reserves the right at any time to extend the deadline without notice and without final consideration of any pending application.
Darlington County School District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
#J-18808-Ljbffr