Career Counselor

Cape Fear Community College•Wilmington - Downtown Campus, NC

About The Position

The Career Counselor supports students in career exploration and decision-making by providing guidance on academic program requirements, admissions, and related information. The role helps students select programs and prepare for careers through individual counseling, career assessments, exploration resources, workshops, and presentations. The Career Counselor collaborates with faculty and college staff, promotes Career Services events and programs, maintains current information on local employment trends, updates student resources, supports orientations and other events, and assists with the annual job fair. The position tracks and reports performance measures such as appointments, assessments, resume reviews, mock interviews, presentations, students reached, employer referrals, placements, and satisfaction. The position receives direct supervision from the Director, Career Services.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Two years of responsible student counseling or advising experience in an educational setting.
Knowledge of career services and job placement operations, services, and activities.
Knowledge of developments, literature, and information sources related to career decision-making.
Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws, codes, and safety regulations.
Knowledge of college admissions policies and educational program requirements, and of transfer requirements and procedures for regional four-year institutions.
Knowledge of educational and career advising principles and procedures, business letter writing and basic report preparation, record keeping, modern office procedures and computer equipment, and English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Ability to present to student and faculty groups and collaborate across the Academic Advising Center and college.
Ability to advise students on program selection and coursework, establish rapport, and create a supportive counseling environment.
Ability to interpret and apply college policies and procedures and refer students to appropriate staff for additional counseling, program advising, testing, or related matters.
Ability to evaluate test scores and prior education and training.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain the physical condition needed for assigned duties, including extended standing or sitting, operating equipment, handling varied tasks, and bending, stooping, climbing, or lifting up to 50 pounds.
Ability to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception for observation, reading, writing, communication, and equipment operation, as well as the mental capacity to make sound decisions, respond to questions, and demonstrate intellectual capabilities.
If applicable to the position, must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina driver’s license and a driving record meeting College-established standards.
Must submit unofficial transcripts and/or training certifications with the application; official transcripts for all degrees obtained are required before the first day of work or hire date.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in guidance, counseling, or adult education.
Two years of experience in career counseling or instruction related to career planning, ideally in a college or university setting.

Responsibilities

Counsel students who are undecided about programs of study and help them establish academic and career goals.
Administer career assessments and provide career exploration information to help students choose and prepare for careers.
Review and evaluate career and skills assessments and other career exploration tools.
Advise continuing and prospective students about college policies and procedures, admissions, academic requirements, and graduation requirements; help students interpret these requirements.
Provide general course requirement information and refer students to appropriate staff for specific program information.
Assist students with college enrollment in a manner compatible with their career goals.
Refer students to resources about colleges aligned with their career goals.
Develop, plan, deliver, and evaluate career exploration activities, workshops, and programs.
Present career services topics to classes and student groups.
Build partnerships with faculty through presentations and resource sharing.
Work with the Director, Career Services, to develop and implement marketing plans and materials, including social media, to promote Career Services events, programs, and services.
Promote events through outreach to students, faculty, collaborating departments, and offices.
Monitor employment trends and business expansions in local industries.
Work with the Director, Career Services, to revise and update student resources, including brochures, websites, and tutorials.
Train college staff and provide resources so career counseling and development are integrated into academic advising.
Provide support coverage as needed, including greeting and checking in students.
Assist with new student orientation, registration, and special events.
Assist with implementation of the college’s annual job fair to support student career placement.
Track and report performance metrics, including coaching appointments, career assessments, resume reviews, mock interviews, classroom presentations, students reached, employer referrals, confirmed placements, and employer and student satisfaction.
Assist with student registration as assigned and perform other related duties as assigned.