DEFINITION:

The Career Coach will assist dual-enrolled high school students with determining career goals and identifying community college programs that enable students to achieve these goals. Cultivate programs and services for the high school learner, so that the individual can successfully enter and advance in a career path. The Career Coach will document and monitor progress of counseled participants; develop a program of study for future semesters; verify student prerequisites and requirements; assist with college applications, financial aid and scholarship applications; and develop pedagogical materials and technologies needed to enhance the advising process for high school students. The Career Coach, while on any high school campus, will follow local board of education rules and will be subject to the authority of the school building administration. Requires day and evening hours and some travel; college committee assignments; professional development; and other activities. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

• Receives general supervision from the Director of Educational Partnerships.
• Exercises no supervision.

Duties & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

ESSENTIAL AND OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS STATEMENTS:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

1. Career Exploration
   
   1. Support outreach efforts involving high school learners to raise career awareness of opportunities and assist in enrollment of high school learners on the college level 
   2. Support students’ efforts for career pathways
   3. Coordinate events designed to promote awareness of career pathways
   4. Work with high school/college personnel to prepare information related to career pathways for distribution to students and parents
   5. Follow a communication plan to ensure consistent communication with students, faculty, staff, parents, etc. 
   6. Organize college campus/industry tours
   7. Recruit students to attend Cape Fear Community College for career and college promise pathways and postsecondary academic and short-term training programs from assigned school(s) or region.
   8. Represent the College at school and community functions, including CFCC Information Sessions, career presentations/workshops, college fairs, and other special events or programs.
2. Advising and Registration 
   
   1. Maintain contact with select advisees using a proactive advising model
   2. Assist with academic/career advising and college course registration for high school learners 
   3. Maintain confidential accurate and adequate student records to assist in academic/career advising and registration of high school learners
   4. Provide information to college personnel regarding course needs for high school students
   5. Responsible for knowledge of information related to high school, community colleges, universities, military pathways policies and procedures as well as information related to community workforce development resources to provide students with timely information and guidance, assisting students in making informed decisions
   6. Assist with planning to align secondary and postsecondary expectations and policies with all three Career and College Promise pathways
   7. Work with college department chairs and deans to schedule college classes for Career and College Promise Program students 
   8. Stay current with statewide guidelines and best practices for the Career and College Promise Program
   9. Assist with course selection, course withdrawal, program changes, and teach students about technology available to them for registration.
3. Support Services 
   
   1. Provide supportive interventions to help students succeed in high school/college courses; providing academic success strategies to facilitate successful transition, foster progression, and promote completion of credentials 
   2. Serve as a liaison with accessibility services coordinator for high school learners enrolled in college courses
   3. Monitor student progress in high school/college classes and work with students, parents/guardians, and instructors to develop plans for success, i.e., track attendance, academic progress, early warning 
   4. Assist in communicating policy and procedure information to students and parents
   5. Conducts workshops and classroom visits with enrolled students at the high school and enhanced partnership to inform and instruct the students concerning Pathways requirements 
   6. Recommend procedures for maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines, e.g., coordination ADA & IDEA, and FERPA, etc.
   7. Support the Director of Educational Partnerships with evaluating CCP admission determinations, pathway add/change requests, and pathway completion forms.
   8. Attend and actively participate in College events and functions, including Open Houses, Orientation, and recruitment and outreach programming. 
   9. Work closely with the CCP Admissions Records team to coordinate application and approval data entry procedures in the Student Information System.

Other Important Functions:

• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ability To:  

• Provide support, engagement, and guidance to help high school students define their career interests and explore educational opportunities at Cape Fear Community College and other postsecondary institutions.
• Improve the quality and effectiveness of postsecondary career counseling given to high school students and their families.
• Plan, design, and deliver content for career development workshops and sessions.
• Coordinate day-to-day Career Coach operations and schedule activities, programs and speakers.
• In collaboration with the high school, develop and maintain a current and comprehensive on-line accessible occupational library including information on careers and career clusters, employment prospects and trends and employment requirements and opportunities.
• Conduct workshops and sessions for students that focus on career assessments, placement testing/multiple measures requirements, financial aid application, opportunities for apprenticeships/internships, and Career and College Promise credit classes in high school as well as on campus and in the community.
• Provide information on careers, career pathways, and educational requirements.
• Provide opportunities for job shadowing, mentoring, internships, visits to business and industry, and other career awareness activities.
• Monitor and track student -career interest areas and the job market.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of coaching activities and students served.
• Promote student participation in outreach activities such as college nights, parent's nights, financial aid and scholarship workshops.
• Contact, schedule and arrange guest speakers from the local business community, colleges and military services to present information regarding specific occupations.
• Create partnerships and interact with a variety of external workforce development stakeholders including alumni, business and industry, governmental agencies, etc.
•  Provide enhanced career services counseling for underrepresented and first generation college students. Connect students to academic enrichment activities such as study groups, tutoring, and workshops on study skills.
• Inform students, teachers, counselors, and parents regarding local and regional workforce needs.
• Facilitate tours of Cape Fear Community College campuses
• Work independently
• Make sound decisions and use good judgment
• Assist in the development of policies, procedures, and systems, which ensure productive and efficient operation of the Department.   
• Represents the College and Student Services in a positive and professional manner and collaborates with academic and Student Services units to contribute to the retention of students.
• Maintain confidentiality
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Interpret and apply CFCC goals, objectives, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
  1. Making observations
  2. Reading and writing
  3. Communicating with others
  4. Operating assigned equipment
  5. Handling varied tasks simultaneously
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:
  1. Standing or sitting for extended periods of time
  2. Operating assigned equipment
  3. Handling varied tasks simultaneously 
  4. Bending, stooping, climbing, or lifting up to 50 pounds
• Maintain mental capacity, which allow the capability of:
  1. Making sound decisions
  2. Responding to questions
  3. Demonstrating intellectual capabilities

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Minimum Education/Training:

A Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Communication or closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university.

Minimum Experience:

• Two years of increasingly responsible experience in secondary or post-secondary education. 
• Experience with or demonstrated knowledge of career services
• Knowledge and practical application of student/career development theory
• Knowledgeable in all aspects of the student experience to include:  coaching, mentoring, academic/career advising, student/career services and progression

Preferred Education/Training, Experience, Skills: (In addition to the required minimum experience)

• Master's degree in Counseling, Education or related field preferred. 
• Two (2) years of advising and counseling experience in a community college, college, university or similar educational setting. 
• Previous experience advising and working with students from diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds. 
• Proficient with the college Colleague and SoftDocs systems to maintain and research student records

Supplemental Information

Special Instructions to Applicants:
 
This position REQUIRES UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AND/OR TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS be submitted in addition to the application. Please have these documents ready to upload when applying.
 
Candidates are required to submit OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS for all degrees obtained prior to their first day of work or hire date. If the highest level of education is a High School diploma or equivalent, proof of completion is required.
 
Candidates who have obtained their education outside of the US and its territories must have their academic degree(s) validated, at their own expense, by an outside credential evaluation service as equivalent to the Baccalaureate or Master's degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.