Job Title:  Career and College Advisor

Department:  Student Services

Position No.  AF0348

Employment Type:  Administrative

Salary:  $40,000.  Excellent health and retirement benefits package.

Application Deadline:  Open until filled.  To ensure consideration, complete applications must be received by 10/31/2017.

Summary:  

Under direction of the Vice President of Student Services, this person will work within the Montrose County School District with the goal of raising the number of students continuing their education directly after high school.  This person will conduct outreach to students who have not identified an area of study or a plan for a career after graduation.  This person serves as a liaison between the military, community colleges, universities, the local high schools, and the community; and performs related duties as required or assigned. 

This staff position will focus on increasing the percentage of Montrose County School District graduates continuing their education directly after high school.  Continuing education is defined as entering programs with desired outcomes of a specific trade certificate, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or entering the military.  Working with an identified population, this person will assist individuals in all areas that help to identify career and educational goals for the future.  This person will be highly visible in the community as they strive to engage community leaders in providing apprenticeships, internships, job shadows and opportunities for high school students to explore careers. Successful performance of the work requires effective organizational, oral, and written communication skills as well as being able to present to both small and large groups. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with high school counselors to develop programming to assist all students in identifying future career goals – grades 8-12
• Identify individuals within the high schools who have not yet committed to a career path or educational plan after graduation.  Engage these students, including encouraging attendance to college and community fairs, community college and university visitations, campus tours, career days, financial aid activities, and orientations, which may require driving to offsite facilities 
• Utilize the school district technology programs (Naviance) with students as they complete their Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP)
• Collaborate with district counselors and administrators to engage students in programming that supports these efforts
• Provide information and assistance to students to help identify and seek out the individual’s goals
• Assist individuals and families who may possess limited-English skills with financial aid, college admissions and registration procedures
• Attend high school articulation meetings, training sessions and other activities as required or assigned
• Operate a computer to compile data, maintain records, and prepare correspondence, reports, and other written material using a variety of software such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, and website management 
• Work cooperatively and effectively with individuals from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds and with various segments of the community 
• Attend in-service activities, meetings, conferences, and seminars to remain current in programs and processes
• Perform related duties as required or assigned
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. 

Education and/or Experience: 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.   
• Experience working with high school or college age students.  
• Experience teaching and/or providing small to large group presentations.
• Excellent organization, oral and written communication skills. 

Preferred:

• Colorado Department of Education Teaching license.
• Colorado Department of Education Counseling credential.
• Career Technical Education (CTE) credential.
• Experience with college or university admissions and financial aid processes.
• Experience with community college education.

Desired Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Career decision process; investigation and research
• Sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds students in the community
• Effective outreach, recruitment and retention tools, and strategies, including oral presentations to school and community groups
• Program planning, coordinating, and record keeping
• Effective communication, advertising, promotional, and interviewing techniques
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Ability to:

• Work independently, yet be collaborative in nature
• Meet students and be engaging
• Apply and explain relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Engage high-risk students in activities that will assist them in believing they can have a future and need additional education
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and implement program activities
• Maintain confidentiality of information
• Maintain accurate records and files; prepare clear, concise, and complete records and other written material
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Operate a computer with sufficient skill to enter data and produce correspondence, reports or other written materials using a variety of software such as word processing, spreadsheet, databases, and website management

Other Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license and safe driving record during the course of employment
• May be required to work evenings and weekends, based on activity schedule