12th Grade College Navigator - Seidler Foundation

Kirkwood Community College•Cedar Rapids, IA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The 12th Grade College Navigator supports an assigned caseload of Seidler Foundation 12th grade scholarship awardees from multiple high schools, from the time scholarships are awarded through the students’ college tenure at Kirkwood Community College (KCC). The role provides personalized guidance, helps students navigate college, and connects them with campus and community resources. The Navigator helps students maintain scholarship eligibility, pursue engagement and leadership opportunities, and earn a postsecondary credential at KCC and beyond. Support is holistic, informed by student data, and documented to ensure coordination. The role may also help market the scholarship opportunity at collaborating high schools, but its primary focus is supporting students enrolled at KCC. This is an onsite, grant-funded position hired and supervised by KCC and dedicated to supporting Seidler Foundation scholarship awardees through successful college completion. The Navigator receives specialized training and ongoing professional development and works closely with the Seidler Foundation and its collaborators, as well as KCC. Some evening and weekend hours are required. The typical schedule is either 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in higher education, student services, secondary education, social work, counseling, or a related field.
At least two years of experience in public school settings and/or higher education.
Experience in career pathway programs or college/university academic advising, with understanding of college planning, transition, and success processes and practices.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated experience managing student caseloads or cohorts.
Ability to work as a member of a diverse team.
Ability to work with students with diverse needs and backgrounds.
Working knowledge of college student development theory, including the needs of diverse populations, and student services generally.
Knowledge of community college philosophy, KCC programs, policies and procedures, community agencies, resources and referral procedures, and issues such as food and housing insecurity.
Knowledge of credit and non-credit academic programs.
Ability to communicate effectively through written, oral, and electronic means.
Functional knowledge of Infinite Campus, the Colleague student database, Titanium calendar, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other commonly used computer programs.
Ability to manage varied duties efficiently, effectively, and independently in an environment with regular interruptions.
Ability to welcome, value, and nurture people of varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and support an environment that accepts differences.

Nice To Haves

The preferred qualifications listed are the same as the minimum qualifications: a relevant bachelor’s degree; at least two years of public school and/or higher education experience; career pathway or college/university academic advising experience and knowledge of college planning, transition, and success; strong communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrated student caseload/cohort management; and the ability to work with diverse teams and students.

Responsibilities

Participate in specialized training, professional development, mentoring, and meetings with the Seidler Foundation and its collaborators to understand the role, scholarship program, requirements, and processes.
Meet consistently with the Seidler Foundation Program Manager to share updates, request information or feedback, and discuss the role and needed improvements or support.
Contact assigned scholarship awardees during the summer to introduce the Navigator role and available support and identify challenges.
Attend KCC New Student Orientation to meet students and their families.
Collaborate with KCC to provide support for each student.
Track and document student progress toward KCC and Seidler Foundation requirements, and contact students who are experiencing challenges or falling below eligibility requirements.
Plan and participate in group meetings for scholarship awardees and provide individual advising.
Ensure students know about and are connected with available KCC campus support.
Develop working knowledge of KCC courses, programs, policies, procedures, admissions, and financial aid.
Notify and remind students to complete the Senior Year Eligibility Check Form by June 15 following high school graduation and, for KCC enrollees, the Annual Renewal Form by June 1 after their first year of college.
May participate in school-sponsored ceremonies recognizing scholarship awardees.
Attend the annual 12th grade awardee Orientation.
Participate in informal ongoing and formal annual performance evaluations with the Program Manager.
Provide outstanding customer service and represent the department and student services division positively, with the goal of improving student learning and success.
Perform other related duties as assigned.