JAG College Career Coach

University of Arkansas System•North Little Rock, AR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The College Career Coach reports to the Director of JAG and Career Coach Programs and is responsible for providing services for the Jobs for Arkansas Graduates (JAG) College Success Program to area high school JAG participants, JAG graduates, students aging out of foster care, and/or students with a disability. This is a 12-month, grant-funded position. This position has three primary roles: 1. Identify high school students who have articulated aspirations in fields of interests aligned with higher education opportunities available through the College and connect those students to the enrollment process at the College through supported, ongoing facilitation. 2. Primarily support JAG graduates enrolled at the College, but also potentially other students identified as being at-risk of dropping out before attaining a degree, to ensure they stay enrolled successfully. The College Career Coach would work one-on-one with students to identify any challenges they may face to attaining a degree and serve as a liaison to specific services/supports to ensure those challenges are overcome. 3. Develop individualized post-college transition plans for JAG students while still enrolled at the College, but also potentially general population students, to ensure all students have a plan that will take them through graduation and into the workforce. This work will include making sure the students are aware of the current demands of job market, and the skills required to meet those demands.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Must have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively orally, in writing and in public presentation settings with youth, adults, and members of the community.
Ability to analyze, develop, implement, and track intervention plans and strategies.
Must be highly motivated and able to self-initiate project tasks after accepting an assignment under general supervision.
Candidate must be willing to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and some holidays.
Excellent computer skills with a strong background in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and data entry.
Must have the ability to operate a motor vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license travel in state on a frequent to regular basis.
Background check required

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience working with students who face barriers to success in education, experience in higher education or a public-school environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

The College Career Coach will have a leadership role in the design, facilitation and implementation of direct services to ensure students are supported during critical transition periods, including from high school into college and from college into the workforce.
Collaborate with high school Career Coaches, JAG specialists, teachers, counselors, and administrators to identify students in their junior and senior years of high school to begin the process of relationship development to support the transition process to postsecondary education to the College.
Provide early outreach to students and their adult support networks with information about the importance of post-secondary training or education.
Create a learning community among the students being served through this program, that builds a sense of belonging and offers peer-to-peer mentoring and leadership development opportunities.
Provide information about career options, continued education pathways, educational requirements, and existing supporting resources (such a college application support, financial aid seminars, etc.).
Facilitate the development of individual graduation and continued education plans to include the best options to meet individual academic and post-secondary goals.
Coordinate postsecondary visits with school personnel and/or college access teams.
Work with guidance offices and College financial aid department to track FASFA PIN and FASFA application completion.
Facilitate/connect/refer students to academic enrichment activities such as study groups, tutoring and workshops on effective study skills as appropriate.
Coordinate the administration and interpretation of ability/career assessments, interest inventories, and college entrance assessments as such as Accuplacer.
Develop, coordinate, and implement a summer “bridge program” for recent high school graduates coming into the JAG College Success program that prepares them to be successful while starting at the College. Bridge programs will feature sessions including, but not limited to, admissions, financial aid, advising, career awareness, and campus/community resources for success.
Track the progress of individual students and subgroups as they progress through high school, into the College, and post-graduation connection to workforce.
Complete, provide, and/or submit reports as scheduled/required related to student interaction, progression, and contacts.
Conduct and analyze ongoing formative and summative evaluation data for program effectiveness.
Participate in JAG and College activities and events including meetings, professional development as required etc.
Serve on project teams or work groups as assigned.
Recruit current college students who meets JAG College Success criteria.
Other duties may be assigned, which relate to the mission and goals of the JAG College Success program.