Career/Employment Specialist - Goodwill Technical College

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Career/Employment Specialist serves as an instructional support staff member that works directly with faculty, staff, and students to develop a supportive career development environment. This position is responsible for the management and continuous improvement of career services to enhance student career readiness and ensure successful employment outcomes.  Key responsibilities include hosting career fairs, conducting classroom presentations, offering individual job search support to students, database/records management, and data tracking. This job requires working knowledge of local labor market information and trends and effective techniques for developing relationships with employers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.     Provide career development services to students. Support students and alumni in developing effective job search strategies and job readiness skills including resume development, interview preparation, and professional presentation. Conduct one-on-one and group career-related information sessions with students. Conduct monthly placement calls and follow-ups with students and recent alums.

2.     Provide career connections. Develop and maintain relationships with employers to connect students to job opportunities, internships, and externships. Coordinate on-campus job fairs and recruitment events. Identify, secure, and coordinate internships, externships and job shadowing opportunities for students. Represent the college at community events and job/career fairs.

3.     Provide database/records management. Collect student data upon graduation, transfer, and job placement and enter data into the SIS at least weekly.  Track and maintain placement and survey data for reporting. Serve as custodian of all student records related to employment and other career services activities.

4.     Provide instructional/collegial support. Conduct graduate exit interviews, graduate follow-up surveys, and employer follow-up surveys. Assist faculty with employment verification forms and occupational advisory committee membership. Serve on college committees to ensure course programming aligns with employer expectations. Assist in the evaluation of career services plans and procedures. Champion a culture of career readiness competencies by collaborating with faculty, staff, and student groups on how to embed key competencies into services/programming for students and alumni.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1.     Demonstrated accountability, follow-through, and relationship management skills both internally and externally.

2.     Working knowledge of local employers, employment and training opportunities, as well as labor market information and trends.

3.     Ability to collaborate with employers and faculty to identify gaps in student skillsets. Create and execute plants to equip students with the necessary competencies.

4.     Must be proficient in operating a computer and have experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and other social media applications.

5.     Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and human relations skills; aptitude for public speaking.

6.     Strong time management, organizational skills, and the ability to meet deadlines; can complete work independently and efficiently.

7.     Understanding of the skills/requirements needed in the college’s programs and occupational fields.

8.     Must be able to read, write and communicate clearly in English.

9.     Willingness and availability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events or employer visits.

10.  Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and priorities.

11.  Must maintain strict confidentiality of all information.

12.  Ability to analyze and present data and program information, orally and in writing and in non-technical language.

REQUIREMENTS:

1.     Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

2.     Two (2) years of demonstrated experience in higher education career services or in a related role within nonprofit or business environments focused on career development.

3.     Strong leadership and organizational skills.

4.     Must be able to work well, both independently and as part of a team.

5.     Must provide own transportation.

6.     Must be able to clear DMV check.

7.     Must possess valid driver’s license and maintain current vehicle registration, liability insurance and

insurance and vehicle inspection.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:                                                                

Required to sit or stand (possibly for long periods of time), walk, use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; able to lift 25 pounds. 

MARGINAL DUTIES:

Other duties as assigned by the Chief Academic Officer and/or College Administration.