Under the general supervision of the Director of Career and Technical Education, the College and Career Coach ensures middle and high school students (grades 8-12) have the opportunity and support needed to increase their knowledge, skills, and educational attainment necessary for education/training beyond high school and the workforce.

By providing college and career guidance to the families eligible for these programs, the project directly addresses the needs of these populations. Coaches will be employed by NorthWest Arkansas Community College but maintain a presence in their assigned school districts by serving as a member of the counseling team. Coaches will be employed by NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) but maintain a presence in their assigned school districts by serving as a member of the counseling team. These positions will serve at the Decatur, Gravette, Huntsville and Siloam Springs school districts. This position is contingent on funds provided on an annual basis by the Arkansas Department of Education's Division of Career and Technical Education.

This is a fully grant funded, provisional position.

• Maintain updated records on all services and programs provided to students and enter data required in the ADE website.
• Provide early outreach to low-income students and their parents with information about the importance of postsecondary education, as well as accurate information on how to prepare, apply, and pay for it.
• Deliver interest inventories and skills assessments to assist individuals in making informed career decisions.
• Facilitate the development of individual career plans and portfolios.
• Assist students with enrolling in education or training programs.
• Provide information on careers, career pathways, and educational requirements.
• Facilitate opportunities for job shadowing, mentoring, internships, visits to business and industry, and other career awareness activities.
• Provide or connect low-income students to support services that will ease the transition to postsecondary education.
• Provide information on pursuing and obtaining industry-valued certifications.
• Connect educationally disadvantaged youth and adults to “bridge programs” that teach basic academic skills in the context of training for advancement to better jobs and postsecondary education.
• Connect students to academic enrichment activities such as study groups, tutoring, and workshops on study skills.
• Connect high school students to early college programs, Advanced Placement classes, and academic and career and technical education (CTE) and concurrent-credit enrollment.
• Facilitate programming and marketing as it relates to the Arkansas College Application Campaign (ACAC) to increase number of students applying to college their senior year
• Provide a continuum of career guidance to ease the transition of students from middle school to high school to post-secondary education or training and ultimately to the workplace.
• Plan and implement Career Cluster Camps, exposing students to careers available.
• Assist with delivery of ACT remediation services and programs, including facilitating ACT Academies
• Regular, reliable and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

• Knowledge of college policies, procedures, and practices;
• Ability to plan, organize and implement assigned responsibilities and to work well under pressure to meet deadlines;
• Excellent organizational, analytical and planning skills;
• Ability to participate as a team member,
• Ability to understand and interpret rules and regulations, and ability to adjust to change;
• Ability to handle confidential material judiciously; understanding of education programs and tools related to community colleges.
• Self-motivated and self-directed with the ability to prioritize work independently and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and computing skills are necessary.
• Understanding of college’s Human Resources and Student Services processes in addition to Academics.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills are necessary.
• Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related college software and email is required.
• Experience with facilitation of group planning efforts and facilitation strategies are desirable.

• Formal equivalent of a bachelor’s degree with a major in counseling, sociology, education, or a related field.
• Facilitating Career Development (FCD) certificate OR obtain one within a year of employment.