AEL Career Pathway Specialist

Job Summary

The Career Pathway Specialist works with students enrolled in English Language Learning (ELL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), High School Completion (HSC), and Integrated Education and Training (IET) classes in the Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program at the Hawkeye Community College Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center. Provides advising for students on educational and career goal setting and jointly develops educational plans consistent with students’ career/life goals and objectives. Coordinates and delivers educational and career activities/workshops individually and to groups. Provides case management to assist students in addressing barriers to program attendance and education/employment success.  

Essential Job Functions

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advises students regarding career pathways, goal setting and clarification, and employment preparation and readiness.
• Collaborates with staff to identify and create processes necessary to provide comprehensive intake, advising, career exploration, and case management for students.
• Assists with collection of intake information and provides one-on-one assistance to students throughout the intake process.
• Works with a diverse population of non-native English-speaking adult students.
• Collaborates with the team to develop, deliver, and modify program orientation for all students.
• Jointly develops educational/vocational plans with students and modifies plans as appropriate. Manages student progress through individual appointments and in group settings.
• Provides career exploration opportunities for students individually and in group settings.
• Develops, organizes, and conducts group workshops, presentations, and skills assessments.
• Stays current, conveys, and ensures compliance with AEL program, college, and state/federal Department of Education requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Ensures student connection to supportive wrap-around services both onsite and through community resources and agencies.
• Maintains necessary records and documentation and prepares statistical reports.
• Attends professional development to stay current on research involving adult education, student success, and retention.
• Analyzes assessments for student advising.
• Serves on internal and external committees.
• Remains actively involved in recruitment and retention committees.
• Coordinates and maintains student food pantry.
• Serves as a positive voice to community groups about AEL students.
• Attends meetings with community and college groups as needed.
• Performs other related professional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications   

• Bachelor’s degree in education, human services, social work, or closely related field.
• One-year applicable work experience in education, educational counseling, human services, or career counseling.
• Demonstrated ability in strong interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work and interact effectively and courteously with diverse staff, students, and general public.
• Demonstrated ability to work innovatively, individually as well as in teams.
• Demonstrated effective organizational skills to manage multiple and shifting tasks/demands to meet timely deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential and secure materials.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of guidance/counseling skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency using all Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated ability to work a flexible schedule that includes Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and participate as part of a collaborative, high-performing team.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through inclusive behaviors and helping contribute to a culture of inclusivity, and a vibrant, diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and working environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Experience in teaching or educational advising.
• Experience working with AEL, ELL, HSC, ABE, and/or IET students.
• Experience assisting students with career exploration.
• Experience with academic administrative processes and student services, social services, or a related area.
• Experience conducting new student orientation.

Employment Status

Full time, exempt position with comprehensive benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, and LTD insurance, a Section 125 plan for medical and dependent care expenses; holiday, personal, sick, and vacation leave; tuition reimbursement; and a choice of retirement programs—IPERS (defined benefit) or TIAA (defined contribution).

Working Conditions 

Requires skills for succeeding in an office environment, using technology. Requires good hand-eye coordination including visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information; arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp. Work is performed in an office setting. Sit, stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during working hours. During course of day, interact with students, faculty and staff in person, by telephone and computer.

Application Procedure

1. Complete online application at hawkeyecollege.edu/employment
2. Submit/upload a resume.
3. Submit/upload 3 references with a minimum of 1 being from a past/current supervisor.
4. Submit/upload a cover letter that briefly addresses the following:
   1. Describe your interest and/or experience in working with AEL student populations.
   2. List any community resources or agencies you have worked with in the last three years and describe your role (include dates).
   3. Describe your experience in advising or counseling adults in a one-on-one setting.
5. Submit an online application and all required materials by March 13, 2022. Preference will be given to applicants who submit the required materials on or before March 13th.  The position will remain open until filled.

Hawkeye Community College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equity and diversity in its educational services and employment practices: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/equal-opportunity. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex; race; age; color; creed; national origin; religion; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity; genetic information; or actual or potential parental, family, or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices. Veteran status is also included to the extent covered by law. Any person alleging a violation of equity regulations shall have the right to file a formal complaint. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Equity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator for employees, 319-296-4405; or Title IX Coordinator for students, 319-296-4448; Hawkeye Community College, 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, Iowa 50704-8015; or email equity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone number 312-730-1560, fax 312-730-1576, email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov. 

If any applicant is in need of a reasonable accommodation in completing the application process, please notify a member of Human Resource Services.