Career Coach

WorkSource Montgomery•Silver Spring, MD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

WorkSource Montgomery (WSM) is seeking a Career Coach to join an innovative program that guides middle and high school students in discovering their skills, interests, and values, and connecting them with potential career paths. This role involves working in cooperation with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to support, inspire, and guide teens toward their career dreams and future goals. The Career Coach will build connections with students, school staff, industry partners, and community organizations, utilizing a conversational approach focused on the Holland Code for career exploration. All necessary on-the-job training will be provided through an earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship model. WSM is a nonprofit organization that operates American Job Centers and provides employment services, supporting businesses and delivering career coaching to MCPS students. This position reports to a Zone Manager and is responsible for delivering WSM's Career Education programming as funded by the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, which mandates individualized career coaching for all middle and high school students. The Career Coach will work with students, teachers, administrators, and families to facilitate student progression toward becoming College, Career, and Community Ready (CCCR). The role involves using research-based approaches to help students understand their strengths, interests, and values, leading to a clear vision of their future selves and knowledge of suitable occupational matches. Programming will be age and stage appropriate, starting with teaching the language of Holland's Code to students and teachers. The Career Coach will also support community engagement, in-school events, and special programs.

Requirements

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.
At least two (2) years of relevant experience, preferably in a workforce development, educational, not-for-profit, or human services setting.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or related experience.
Career Education experience in a public K-12 setting.
Bilingual is a plus.

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.