College and Career Readiness Coach

Builds relationships, systems, and programs to ensure that each student at an Excel Center graduates with a realistic career plan that is connected to postsecondary employment and education. Provides direct advising and case management services for students as they near graduation and will be instrumental in the implementation of a comprehensive foundational career-development program, which will allow for intentional advisement of students on academic diploma tracks and enrollment in industry-recognized certification courses and/or in dual-credit course attainment. Develops and maintains an industry–based network of community partners, along with close-knit working relationships with local college and university staff, departments, and enrollment protocol. Assures that our graduates are supported in a viable pathway into a career and/or college placement, prepared with the skills, resources, and support to actualize their postsecondary plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads the school culture toward development and design of career pathways for targeted, industry-driven programs with sequential options, including dual-enrollment, noncredit and credit certificate programs.
• Works with the College and Career Readiness Center team members and industry advisory networks to develop more student exposure to the world of work, including on-the-job opportunities, internships or job shadowing and other experiential learning for career pathways.
• Makes sound recommendations to the school director on student placement into internships and job opportunities.
• Develops innovative, career-focused marketing and recruitment strategy for promoting career pathway opportunities to students.
• Conducts, gathers and coordinates the development of research and performance measures for credential completion, educational attainment and efforts that bridge educational systems for career path employment.
• Demonstrates a culture of innovation and responsiveness to meet the current workforce development needs of students and businesses.
• Aligns job training and education programs to jobs that are in demand or likely to grow in the immediate future in the local market.
• Researches, gathers and reports current labor market and demographic information examining the current education and workforce system for gaps and alignments.
• Attends and participates in meetings of key stakeholders in education and training, workforce and economic development to develop and strengthen information and resources related to the creation of career pathways.
• Oversees and supports students in all certification and dual-credit classes they attend.
• Provides one-on-one support to students throughout the college preparation process (which includes but is not limited to college search, application, and transition process). Understands and explains the college admissions process to Excel Center students.
• Conducts workshops on essay writing, interviewing skills, financial aid, resume writing, etc.
• Coordinates college preparation testing for all students (ACT, SAT, and/or COMPASS).
• Provides information on college fairs, campus visits, scholarships, etc. to current students, teachers and alumni.
• Seeks out internship, apprenticeship, scholarships and career opportunities for The Excel Center and alums.
• Builds relationships and partners with college admissions counselors to create open lines of communication and sharing of information.
• Plans and organizes and/or teaches graduate seminars, focusing on College and Career Readiness/Senior Seminar every 8-week term, to prepare students for graduation and success in postsecondary endeavors.
• Provides developmentally oriented career and academic advisement through in-class instruction and personal counseling sessions.
• Coordinates student use of and activities related to computerized guidance information systems and career assessment instruments.
• Serves as a liaison between the school and the community.
• Creates and maintains outreach efforts to Excel Center alums. Stays in contact with and tracks graduates as they pursue their postsecondary options in order to maintain up-to-date employment, career and college attainment.
• Collaborates with other College and Career Readiness roles in The Excel Center Network to share best practices.
• Maintains regular and consistent in-person attendance.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills):

• Bachelor's degree in related field required, Master’s degree desired
• Minimum 3 years of experience working in a secondary or higher education setting, and/or career counseling and workforce development setting
• Knowledge of career/vocational theories, career education program development, and community resources and employers
• Experience in career pathway development highly desirable
• Training in guidance or career/technical education highly desirable
• Established network of representatives from business and industry beneficial
• Adept at utilizing Excel and experience analyzing statistical data for informed decision making
• Microsoft office skills including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Familiarity with Arizona state agencies (AZ at work) and demonstrated partnership building skills
• Previous experience with college admissions process
• Knowledgeable of financial aid process, various scholarships and internships
• Strong written and public speaking skills
• Experience working with community colleges preferred
• Energetic self-starter, comfortable working in a busy, diverse environment
• Must be accessible for school events, open houses, recruitment events, and fairs
• Ability to pass a background check, Online Arizona Certification Information System (OACIS) check, State Board of Education Disciplinary check, fingerprint clearance card check, and drug screen
• Ability to speak and read English proficiently