Career Coach

Are you intrigued by the idea of being a part of an innovative program that guides young individuals in discovering their skills, interests, and values, and then goes on to connect them with potential career paths in a new and exciting manner?

If this resonates with you, apply to become a WorkSource Montgomery Career Coach. Our team will serve middle and high school students in cooperation with Montgomery County Public Schools. Career Coaches will be a part of a team that supports, inspires, and guides teens toward the realization of their career dreams and future goals.

This position includes opportunities to build connections with students, school staff, industry partners, and community organizations. The programming that will be used to anchor career exploration is conversational and focused on the language of the Holland Code. All on-the-job training will be provided through an earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship training model.

About Us!

WorkSource Montgomery, Inc. (WSM) is a nonprofit organization and fiduciary agent for Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act funding in Montgomery County. The non-profit organization operates the American Job Centers in Wheaton and Germantown and provides employment services to county residents who are unemployed or underemployed. WSM supports Montgomery County Businesses by engaging employers in various industries throughout the county to ensure that their workforce needs are being met. Additionally, WSM is responsible for delivering Career Coaching Services to all 6th to 12th-grade Montgomery County Public Schools students.

Reporting to a Zone Manager, this position is responsible for delivering WSM's Career Education programming as funded through the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a comprehensive education reform law that mandates that local workforce development boards deliver individualized career coaching to all Middle and High School students. The Career Coach will work with Montgomery County Public School's 6th through 12th grade students, teachers, school administrators, and families. The CC plays an integral role in facilitating student progression to become College, Career, and Community Ready. CC's will be trained and employ research-based approaches to assist students in their understanding of their strengths, interests, and values leading to a vivid vision of their best possible future selves equipped with knowledge of occupational matches that fit each individual student. All programming will be calibrated to be age and stage appropriate starting with teaching students and teachers the language of Holland's Code. The CCA will specifically support MoCo CAP Community engagement, in-school events, and special programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work directly with Middle or High School Students, on MCPS campuses, as assigned.
• Assist in the streamlining of inter-departmental and inter-organizational event preparation.
• Travel to schools to provide support for the planning, development, and implementation of MoCo CAP events.
• Partner with community organizations to further the mission of MoCo CAP.
• Support Career Advising in cooperation with MCPS offices such as the International Admission and Enrollment Office and the Rocking Horse Road Welcome Center.
• Serve as Career Advising Coach in any school temporarily in the event of a vacancy.
• Assist educators and administrators integrate career awareness in core instruction.
• Provide RIASEC and other strengths-based assessments to assist student self-understanding.
• Employ a dialogic model of instruction to help integrate learning.
• Serve as a MoCo CAP brand ambassador at community and school events.
• Assist students to become College, Career, and Community Ready as defined by MCPS, while leveraging language skills.
• Supply information to students regarding MCPS program and initiatives that support career exploration. Examples include Career and Technical Education options, internships, or service-learning opportunities.
• Refer students to the appropriate MCPS personnel to complete their progression to CCCR readiness.
• Establish and maintain excellent collaborative working relationships with WSM staff and partners, especially MCPS educators and administrators.
• Ensure that WSM Career Coaching services are delivered in a manner that is culturally competent and equitable.
• Provide representation during staff and public/community meetings on behalf of the WSM Career Education Team.
• Communicate with families and other stakeholders regarding CCCR readiness.
• Document student progress.
• Utilize labor market information that will help them to make better decisions about their selected careers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to establish rapport with WSM and MCPS staff and co-workers.
• Ability and drive to deliver innovative Career Education programs.
• Ability to effectively establish priorities and manage multiple student needs in a fast-paced school environment.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of Career Education program delivery and eager to learn new strategies and skills.
• Ability to anticipate needs and solve problems autonomously (and sometimes creatively).
• Creative thinker with the ability to foresee issues and possible solutions.
• Ability to utilize or quickly learn technical tools such as management information systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Teams.
• Positive can-do attitude.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and patience in dealing with multiple quickly shifting priorities and demanding timelines.
• Organizational and follow-up skills.
• Daily access to reliable transportation.

Education & Experience:

• Preferred a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or related experience.
• At least two (2) years of relevant experience, preferably in a workforce development, educational, not-for-profit, or human services setting.
• Preferred Career Education experience in a public K-12 setting.
• Bilingual is a plus.
• Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of WSM and Montgomery County Public Schools background screenings.

Status: Full Time, Exempt position

Location: This position is primarily in-person at WSM Wheaton and on-campus in MCPS schools during the school year.

WorkSource Montgomery is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. WSM makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

WSM completes the Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. EOE, Including Disability/Vets.