NJ Certified CTE and Cisco Academy Director 2026-2027

Achievers Early College Prep Charter School; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Achievers Early College Prep Charter School seeks a visionary CTE and Cisco Academy Director to lead the development of technology certification programs and internship pipelines. You will direct CCNA/CCNP courses, collaborate with principals, and align college-readiness with rigorous instruction for Black and Brown students.

You will be a strategic leader, manager, and relationship-builder, driving data-informed decisions and scalable pathways that bridge the digital divide in a high‑performing

Qualifications

• Strong strategic thinking and planning across multiple projects.
• Exceptional communication to motivate staff, parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Experience forming and expanding partnerships with foundations, individuals, and government agencies.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws applying to public charter school.
• Master’s degree or higher preferred.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in K-12 or postsecondary space.
• A valid administrative or educational credential or license.
• CTE certification.
• Excellent organization and time management; urgency in delivery.
• Outstanding problem-solving and data-driven decision making.
• Ability to learn quickly and incorporate feedback in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication with senior leaders.
• Ability to learn existing systems quickly and improve them.
• Willingness to provide coverage and support as needed.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues, and community members.
• Calm, solutions-oriented under pressure.
• Previous experience within a charter school environment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with high school principals to establish clubs and academy readiness.
• Define scope and sequences for certification programs with Cisco resources.
• Help students choose CCNP concentrations and prepare for exams.
• Coordinate pathways to CCNA and CCNP certifications by graduation.
• Interview and recruit staff to teach CCNA, CCNP remotely or on-site.
• Develop partnerships with employers for internships and opportunities.
• Coordinate summer internships and maintain employer relationships.
• Deliver professional development for staff.
• Support the principal and executive directors with strategic initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Partnership development

Data-driven decision making

Staff management

Team leadership

Relationship building

Education

Master’s degree or higher

Administrative or educational credential

CTE certification

5+ years in K-12 or postsecondary space

Tools

Google Apps for Education

Technology systems experience

Office equipment proficiency

Job description

About Achievers

Achievers Early College Prep Charter School (AECP) is New Jersey’s first public charter school for students in middle school and high school that provides them with the unique opportunity to pursue one of four STEAM pathways (Health Sciences, Digital Media, Audio Engineering and Cisco Computer Networking).

Students can have access to a program that allows them to earn up to 60 college credits, NOCTI credentials and workplace training. AECP is determined to ensure that students can enhance their journey through high school and graduate with content mastery, skills, and experiences that are essential to the current marketplace and the world beyond.

CTE and Cisco Academy Director

The CTE and Cisco Academy Director’s role will be key in establishing research and developing multiple technology certification programs that students can access at the AECP high school. As the Cisco Academy director, you will direct CCNA, CCNP, CCIE courses, support with internship and job placement, and on‑time graduation.

The CTE and Cisco Academy Director works closely with the middle & high school Principals and reports to the School Leadership Team (as appropriate).

The successful candidate will understand technology and its fast‑changing landscape and will be passionate about bridging the digital divide for Black and Brown students. This person will be a proven leader with a commitment to AECP’s mission and vision of providing an early college education composed of academic excellence, career readiness, and character. This individual will be an exceptional manager, motivating leader, and strong relationship builder with demonstrated success in a similarly situated school or organization.

Achievers Fit

• Demonstrates a passion for and commitment to Achievers Early College Prep's mission
• Thrives in a small‑school environment (comfort with change and ambiguity, takes initiative)
• Evidence of self‑motivation and willingness to be a team player
• Experience in school(s) which rely heavily on intervention, literacy, and learning as a means to dramatically increasing student achievement; develop content knowledge and skills (preferred)
• Exhibits a laser‑focus on rigorous instruction by emphasizing student engagement with complex texts, critical thinking, and comprehensive literary analysis
• Strong skill in analyzing student work and student data, coupled with a deep commitment to data‑driven decision making
• Unwavering commitment to feedback, improvement, and notion of "I'm ALL IN!"
• Belief in and alignment with Achievers core beliefs and educational philosophy is non‑negotiable!
• Culturally aware, culturally sensitive, and asset‑based thinking a MUST!

Student Preparation and Management

• Work with High School principals to establish clubs that promote interest in and readiness for academy programs
• Work with the High School Principal, Cisco, and other resources to put the scope and sequences for the various certification programs
• Help students choose their CCNP concentration
• Prepare students to pass the core exam & receive certification

Staffing and Corporate Partnerships

• Help interview staff to teach CCNA, CCNP and other certification courses (remotely and in‑person)
• Work with business partners to secure internships, summer and post‑graduation employment opportunities for students completing certification programs
• Develop a baseline pathway that most students in the academy will be able to obtain by graduation, i.e. a CCNA Certification
• Develop pathway for advanced students to get on the CCNP Track (Enterprise, Security, Data Center, Service Provider, Collaboration)
• In the summer, coordinate summer internships and maintain relationships with employers
• Conduct professional development for staff
• Other duties as assigned by the principal, school leadership or Executive Director

Qualifications

• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with an ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities effectively; ability to work independently and lead projects from start to finish
• Exceptional communication skills with an ability to motivate staff, parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders
• Experience forming, cultivating, and expanding partnerships with key constituents in the public and private sectors, such as foundations, individuals, and government agencies
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws applying to public charter school
• An unwavering dedication to establishing and maintaining positive, respectful relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members
• A Master’s degree or other advanced professional degree strongly preferred
• At least 5 years of professional experience, preferably within the K‑12 education sector or Post Secondary Education space
• A valid administrative or educational credential or license
• CTE certification
• Excellent organization, time management, and follow‑through; a high sense of urgency
• Outstanding problem‑solving and critical thinking skills and desire to use data to drive decision‑making
• Ability to learn quickly, seek and incorporate feedback in a dynamic environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills particularly when communicating with senior leaders
• Ability to learn existing systems quickly and demonstrate independent strategic thinking to improve systems as needed
• Willingness to provide coverage and support as needed
• Ability to take initiative, prioritize tasks, and work independently
• Ability to communicate effectively with others; strong interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues and community members
• Ability to maintain a calm, solutions‑oriented perspective in the face of competing demands and external pressures
• Previous experience within a charter school environment is highly desirable

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Technology Systems
• Google Apps for Education Platforms
• Proficiency using computers, printers, copy machines, and fax machines
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written skills
• Ability to travel (for development opportunities)

Physical Requirements

• Required to work from school everyday – setting up spaces
• Set up for events in schools/other locations

Compensation and Benefits

Achievers offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. This is a 12-month position which is exempt and therefore not eligible for overtime pay under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards. Achievers is an equal‑opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status. All employment decisions will be made solely on the basis of the individual's qualifications as related to the requirement of the position being filled.