iJAG College Success Coach, NIACC

Position Overview

The iJAG Career Success Coach at North Iowa Area Community College is pivotal in iJAG's mission, overseeing work-based learning placements while fostering strong partnerships with community stakeholders. This position is a vital resource for students, guiding them through career exploration and collaborating with career education specialists to chart personalized pathways toward academic and professional achievement. This model, grounded in a holistic approach to student development, prioritizes education and fosters future career opportunities in high-demand fields through educational enrichment, employer engagement, trauma-informed care, and project-based learning.

Essential Functions

Community Engagement

• Actively cultivates and maintains robust relationships with a broad spectrum of employers, securing a variety of career exploration and skill development opportunities that align with student interests and market demands.
• Cultivate and mobilize community resources, develop partnerships and collaborations that support educational experience, and open new pathways for iJAG students.

Work-based Learning:

• Design and implement comprehensive work-based learning programs that integrate academic learning with practical workplace experiences, preparing students for life after high school by developing their professional skills and understanding industry expectations.
• Coordinate student placements in work-based learning settings, including internships and apprenticeships, that support the students' Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) and employer needs.
• Maintain consistent communication with students throughout their WBL experiences to monitor attendance, provide coaching and support, address workplace challenges, and guide students in reflecting on their learning and skill development.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the school and employer to establish clear expectations, ensure student safety, and monitor student progress throughout the WBL experience.
• Ensure completion of all required documentation (e.g., training agreements, work permits, evaluations), and track student placements, hours, and outcomes.

Ensuring Program Effectiveness and Data Integrity

• Uphold the highest standards of data integrity across all documentation related to work-based learning placements, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain meticulous records of work-based learning placements and agreements, providing timely updates as needed.
• Analyze data, trends, and feedback from student and employer follow-up surveys to drive continuous improvement in work-based learning opportunities.

Guiding Student Career Development

• Provide individualized career coaching to students, offering guidance on career pathways and facilitating exploration of diverse career options.
• Develop and deliver tailored career readiness coursework to equip students with essential employability and work-readiness skills, such as interviewing and resume writing.
• Collaborate with specialist roles and internal partners as needed to provide comprehensive support tailored to each student's unique needs.

Engagement and Professional Development

• Attend meetings, workshops, and conferences related to work-based learning activities, effectively representing iJAG.
• Collaborate with employer partners and students to design, monitor, evaluate, and adjust training and work plans, ensuring alignment with program goals.
• Participate in iJAG and school district professional development activities to stay up to date on best practices and continuously enhance skills and knowledge.

Additional Requirements

• Capacity to leverage data to inform instructional decisions and enhance student success.
• Ability to effectively engage with diverse constituents, including students, staff, business partners, and industry representatives.
• Proven proficiency in facilitating content to diverse groups and exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google applications, with a willingness to learn new software systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Other Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, human services, counseling, education, or related fields required.
• The ability to obtain an iJAG authorization within six months of hire.
• Current possession of a Work-Based Learning (WBL) Supervisor Authorization or the ability to secure an authorization within the first six months of employment.
• Skilled Trades pathway experience or familiarity with career and technical education (CTE) programming preferred.
• Prior experience working with youth and in supervisory roles is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in work-based learning, career advising, and/or job placement.
• Genuine passion for student success and commitment to the iJAG mission.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $49,000 – $53,000 per year based on qualifications and experience. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.