College/Career Transition Counselor

Job Summary

Are you passionate about making an impact and empowering individuals to pursue an education that fits their career goals? Is it your time to be the difference? If so, Hawkeye Community College along with the Aplington-Parkersburg school district has a great opportunity for you!

The Admissions team is looking for a College/Career Transition Counselor to join their team who is excited to be making a positive impact on people’s lives. In the Office of Admissions, the team is passionate about developing student friendly processes and delivering a high-level service experience.

Hawkeye Community College’s Admissions Office has partnered with the Aplington-Parkersburg school district and the Western Outreach center located in Holland, Iowa, to help students identify their educational goals and provide them with the financial tools to be successful. As the College/Career Transition Counselor you would be providing support and direct services to students, parents/families and school staff in the Aplington-Parkersburg school district as well as at the Western Outreach Center. This will be achieved by connecting students and families with community and higher education resources to support success in school as well as facilitate planning for their post-secondary educational journey.

Hawkeye Community College is a comprehensive community college focused on meeting the needs of the community by providing quality, affordable learning experiences for a diverse student body through our Adult Learning Center, Business and Community Education Department as well as through more than 50 career and technical programs and liberal arts transfer programs. Hawkeye Community College’s mission is about empowering students, strengthening businesses and enriching communities with a vision to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Essential Job Functions

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

• Assists students with course selection, creation of academic plans, registration process and facilitating the transfer of students to postsecondary institutions and/or workforce training programs.

• Assists students with developing academic, college, career goals and opportunities regarding possible post-secondary plans with a focus on juniors and seniors.

• Collaborates with school counselors, administrators, and teachers to support academic success, career exploration, goal setting, leadership development, college planning, and campus visits for all students.

• Responsible for case management to include: tracking, proactive communications, follow-up with students, faculty, and other resources to increase student success.

• Provides students and their families with information regarding application, educational offerings, financial aid, assessment testing and course placement, and related district policies and processes.

• Assists with summer programs, college orientation sessions, and other recruitment or concurrent enrollment events.

• Develops and/or connects students to summer melt programs to assist in removing barriers to enrollment intent.

• Promotes concurrent enrollment offerings to high school students enrolled at a specified school district(s) and/or Centers.

• Collects and analyzes student data and consults with school and college staff to identify and refer students in need of more intensive academic support such as tutoring, extended learning, mentoring, and counseling.

• Monitors attendance, academic performance, college prep course selection, enrollment in AP and dual enrollment courses, credits needed for graduation, and progress towards goals of students.

• Collaborates with school staff to develop a curriculum to build the foundation needed for success in post-secondary education.

• Partners with college service teams (admissions, advising, financial aid, student activities, registration) to support a smooth transition from 12th grade to post-secondary education and/or workforce training for students and families.

• Conducts detailed work with FAFSA to include activities designed to increase FAFSA completion and communication surrounding FAFSA process and follow-up to include award letter review, issues with FAFSA verification and navigation of Financial Aid process.

• Connects with work-based learning coordinators, Iowa Intermediary Network and other identified resources to provide opportunities for greater career exploration for students.

• Utilize district post-secondary data including remedial rates, post-secondary intent, persistence, enrollment and demographics to CCTC programming and CCTC program goal setting.

• Works with students who attend Hawkeye Community College for one year after graduation as part of the student’s support system; connects them with resources and works with the Academic/College Success Advisor to ensure success.

• Participates in campus committees and professional development as directed/approved by the college and school district.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Unless otherwise approved under Hawkeye’s remote work policy, regular on campus and/or onsite attendance is considered an essential function of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Experience in secondary and/or postsecondary education settings.

• Knowledge and experience in programs serving low-income, minority, and ELL students and families.

• Demonstrated ability to work a flexible schedule.

• Demonstrated focus on student success.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

• Demonstrated ability to work with a culturally diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the general public.

• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal communication.

• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, Google applications, and video conferencing technology.

• Demonstrated ability to execute organization and department policies and procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential/sensitive information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree with a license or endorsement in school counseling or a master’s in a related field.

Working Conditions

Anticipated schedule is Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Adjusting of schedule may be needed to align with the needs of the school district and/or Western Outreach Center and could include a potential for occasional weekend or evening hours.

Work is performed onsite at Aplington-Parkersburg school district, Western Outreach center and on the Hawkeye Community College main campus in a combination of an office and/or classroom setting 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. Sit, stand, bend, lift and move frequently during working hours. During course of day, interact with students, faculty and staff in person, by telephone and computers.

Employment Status

Grant-funded, full-time, exempt, position with a comprehensive or competitive 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).

Hawkeye Community College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equity and diversity in its educational services and employment practices: 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.

Application Procedure

• Complete an online application at www.hawkeyecollege.edu/employment

  • Submit/upload a cover letter addressing the following:

    • Please share how your work experience qualifies you for the College/Career Transition Counselor.

  • Submit/upload a resume.

  • Submit/upload 3 professional references with a minimum of 1 being from a current/past supervisor.

• Priority screening is set to begin on or after Monday, April 24, 2023. Completed applications, along with the required materials received after the priority screening date will be considered at the discretion of the college.