Career Pathways Navigator (Grant Funded)

Highland Community College is seeking a passionate and motivated Career Pathways Navigator to join our enrollment team. In this role, you will be responsible for implementing the day-to-day operations of the "Room to Grow" grant. You will work closely with Regional Office of Education (ROE) 8, local high school students, and Highland students to provide comprehensive support that increases the number of students from underrepresented groups who successfully matriculate from high school to college. Your work will be crucial in helping students explore careers, gain endorsements, and engage in workforce development, all leading to higher education enrollment and completion.

Bachelor’s degree in counseling, education, sociology or related field, and one year of relevant experience working with low-income, first-generation students, or other disadvantaged populations. This position works with a diverse population of students and staff. A valid driver’s license is required. This position requires a criminal background check.

To apply for this position, please visit our website at www.highland.edu/employment. Application is not complete until the following materials are submitted: online application, cover letter, resume, transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for the purpose of application), and names/phone numbers of three professional references. You may contact Human Resources at 815-599-3426 for an alternative application method. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Highland Community College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, and encourages applications from veterans, minorities, people with disabilities and other diverse groups.

CORE VALUES AND EMPLOYEE CHARACTERISTICS: Highland Community College has adopted a set of Core Values and Employee Characteristics that it believes each employee must model in order for the College to provide a supportive and productive working and learning environment. These Core Values are Integrity, Compassion and Respect. The Employee Characteristics and Commitment, Interpersonal Skills, Lifelong Learner and Sound Judgment.

TITLE: Career Pathways Navigator* (Grant Funded)

THIS POSITION WILL BE FUNDED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF GRANT FUNDS.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES: Implementation of day to day operations of the Room to Grow grant in partnership with NIU to ultimately increase the number of students from traditionally underrepresented groups in the region to matriculate from high school to associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree completion. This position will work with ROE 38, local high school students, and HCC students to implement the comprehensive support program. In addition, this position provides secondary students with career preparation including career exploration, career pathway endorsements, and workforce development with local cross-agency coordination and community engagement, leading to postsecondary enrollment.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES: (essential functions)

• Creates opportunities for outreach, mentoring, and connecting underserved students with postsecondary academic supports that lead to enrollment and completion of pathways to high wage jobs.
• Helps students identify and resolve economic and logistical barriers that impact persistence and momentum in attending higher education.
• Facilitates the delivery of college and community supports including existing high school and college programs and the Regional Offices of Education in providing high quality advising and guided pathways.
• Supports the development of pathways that move students from career endorsements to an associate degree program by serving as a liaison between the secondary and post-secondary institutions.
• Organizes, implements, and holds information sessions as part of outreach events for career exploration and career pathway endorsements.
• Tracks and monitors the success of rural students that are receiving direct services (internship, apprenticeship, or employment) between institutions.
• Supports the successful transition of underserved community college graduates to four-year colleges and collaborate with NIU and nine online programs for place bound rural students.
• Administers appropriate self-assessments in areas of personal/social development and career exploration.
• Assists participants in setting and achieving personal, educational and career goals using available platforms and the NIU Essential Employability Skills modules.
• Provides resources to participants and facilitates work-based learning to augment their career awareness, career exploration and job search skills.
• Tracks and monitors program data to determine effectiveness of activities related to intended outcomes.
• Collaborates with Institutional Research and Enrollment and Records to set up data collection processes, support grant reporting, monitor student outcomes, and mine prospective student data related to career pathways.
• Assists HCC in helping high school students afford postsecondary options through dual credit.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.

Knowledge of academic advising and college, career, financial aid, and economic literacy activities and related services.

Knowledge of principles and practices in working with a diverse student population and barriers encountered by students who are first generation, low income, have disabilities and/or are underserved.

Knowledge of academic and student support resources.

Knowledge of community resources.

Knowledge of federal and state financial aid requirements.

Knowledge of computer operations and software applications.

Knowledge, understanding and compliance with Federal and state privacy laws related to students.

Knowledge of utilizing data to make informed decisions.

Skill in reviewing student history, assessing interests, skills and abilities, and advising students.

Skill in career, academic, personal, and/or financial aid counseling.

Skill in assisting others to set and reach goals.

Skill in working independently.

Skill in interpersonal, oral and written communications.

Skill in presenting to groups.

Skill in responding professionally, effectively, and efficiently to service requests.

Skill in operating computers and software applications.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with a diverse population of co-workers and others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ACTIVITIES: The physical requirements of this position are light work, exerting up to 20 lbs of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in counseling, education, sociology or related field, and one year of relevant experience working with low-income, first-generation students, other disadvantaged populations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provide the required knowledge and skills.

REQUIRED LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Must possess a valid Illinois Driver’s License.

SECURITY SENSITIVE POSITION: Requires a criminal background check.

REPORTS TO: Director, Enrollment and Records

ADOPTED: 09/24/24 *[Pending Board Approval]