NCWorks Career Coaches are community college counselors embedded in high schools to help students acquire awareness and explore career and technical education post-secondary program options. This position is funded in part by an appropriation from the General Fund to the NC Community College System Office and created as a result of a partnership between Lenoir Community College and Lenoir County Schools. Under general supervision, employees in this position are employees of Lenoir Community College and will not be an agent or employee of Lenoir County Schools. This position will report to the Director of Student Success and Equity and will be located at the high school.

The NCWorks Career Coach position is a three-year, grant-funded position subject to legislative approval.

• Provide support, engagement, and guidance to help high school students define their career interests and explore educational opportunities at Lenoir Community College and other post-secondary institutions
• Organize career planning activities, develop academic/career goals modules, and provide group and individual career coaching for high school students
  Improve the quality and effectiveness of post-secondary career counseling given to high school students and their families
• Plan, design, implement, and deliver content for career development workshops and sessions
• Coordinate day-to-day NCWorks Career Coach operations and schedule activities, programs, and speakers
• In collaboration with the high school, develop and maintain a current and comprehensive on-line accessible occupational library including information on careers and career clusters, employment prospects and trends, and employment requirements and opportunities
• Conduct workshops and sessions for students that focus on career assessments, placement testing/multiple measures requirements, financial aid applications, opportunities for apprenticeships/internships, and Career and College Promise credit classes in high school as well as on campus and in the community
• Provide information on careers, career pathways, and educational requirements
• Provide opportunities for job shadowing, mentoring, internships, visits to business and industry, and other career awareness activities
• Monitor and track student career interest areas and the job market
• Maintain accurate and timely records of coaching activities and students served
• Promote student participation in outreach activities such as college nights, parent nights, and financial aid and scholarship workshops
• Contact, schedule, and arrange guest speakers from the local business community, colleges, and military services to present information regarding specific occupations
• Create partnerships and interact with a variety of external workforce development stakeholders including alumni, business and industry, and governmental agencies, etc.
• Provide enhanced career services counseling for underrepresented and first-generation college students
• Connect students to academic enrichment activities such as study groups, tutoring, and workshops on study skills
• Inform students, teachers, counselors, and parents regarding local and regional workforce needs
• Must attend NCWorks Career Coaches training
• Attend meetings, conferences, and seminars regarding career trends
• Prepare and submit to supervisor for approval, the NCWorks Statutory Annual Reporting Requirements report to be submitted to the State Board of Community Colleges

Working Conditions

• Travel between campus locations may be required
• Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds)
• Tasks may involve extended periods at a keyboard or workstation

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Lenoir Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The College complies with existing federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination. The College prohibits discrimination against and/or exclusion from participation in any benefits or activities by any person, either on the staff and faculty or in the student body, on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, political affiliation, or disability.

Qualifications

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree in an academic or technical field from a regionally accredited institution required
• Master's degree in counselor education or related field preferred
• Two (2) years of advising and counseling experience in a high school, community college, college, university, or similar educational setting
• Previous experience advising and working with students from diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds preferred
• Must exercise knowledge of interpersonal communication skills with tact, diplomacy, and patience
• Knowledge of basic office software applications required (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Must demonstrate good oral and written communication skills
• Must have ability to sustain regular work attendance and work cooperatively with students, faculty, staff, and the general public
• Ability to speak effectively with small and large groups required
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends required
• Must have critical thinking skills with the ability to process information and exercise good judgment
• Effective use of all forms of communication (written, oral, visual, auditory), including use of computer