Career Pathway Navigator

Job Summary

Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge and expertise in the area of workforce development and career readiness? Are you passionate about making an impact and empowering others with life changing opportunities?  If so, Hawkeye Community College has a great opportunity for you!

Our Workforce Training & Community Development team has an opening for a full-time Career Pathway Navigator who will be responsible for guiding applicants through the requirements of various program initiatives that provide tuition assistance, career navigation and other support services. 

Specifically, as a Career Pathway Navigator, you will be assisting non-traditional students with achieving their education and employment goals by developing customized delivery service plans for each participant. Additionally, you will be evaluating and interpreting customer’s vocational/educational potential through aptitude and/or psychological assessments measuring interest, abilities, and work values. Furthermore, you will be collaborating with instructors and staff from other programs, as needed to enroll applicants into classes and monitor participants through their course of study until completion.

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:

• This position will have assignments in one of the following industries: construction trades and manufacturing as part of YouthBuild programming.
• Corresponds with potential participants face to face, over the phone, or via email regarding program eligibility requirements. Relays pertinent information about eligibility process to potential
• Schedules appointments to go over eligibility requirements. Reviews and organizes applications and uploads them into case management
• Reviews participants’ files to ensure all documents are completed prior to being eligible for enrollment into programs that provide funding.
• Determines participants’ ability to be successful in class through
• Identifies and assists participants to overcome barriers to become successful in their choice of study and gain meaningful
• Manages participants through the process of completing eligibility requirements to receive assistance; Facilitates various workshops including Navigating Your Journey, proctors required assessments and holds career navigation discussions with participants completing the eligibility process. Serves as a support/coach/advisor through the eligibility process.
• Works in collaboration with Business & Community Education, Cedar Valley Iowa Works, Academic Affairs, and other college programs and committees on the development and implementation of existing and future initiatives, with a focus on creation of career pathways and articulation of programs between credit and non-credit programming.
• Leads recruitment efforts including workshop facilitation in consultation with Business & Community Education, Cedar Valley Iowa Works, Academic Affairs, and other college programs and
• Collaborates with participants to ensure they are attending classes regularly and are making progress in their course of study, complete the certification and enter gainful employment upon completion.
• Collaborates with instructors and students throughout the entire
• Serves as a liaison between students, educators, employers and
• Collaborates with other team members to examine and analyze current processes to determine if updates are needed to better serve
• Serves as a coach/advisor to students, linking students with appropriate college and partner
• Assists students in job searching, updating resumes, and providing leads for interviews and employment opportunities.
• Participates in campus committees as
• Performs other duties as
• Unless otherwise approved under Hawkeye’s remote work policy, regular on campus and/or onsite attendance is considered an essential function of the

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Public Administration, Business, Social Work, Psychology, or related fields.
• One (1) year of work experience in human services, career counseling, or education.
• Must be able to travel to and from
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, orally and in
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with instructors, coordinators and
• Demonstrated ability to work with a culturally diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, Google applications, and video conferencing
• Demonstrated knowledge and understating of accreditation in higher
• Demonstrated ability to execute organization and department policies and procedures.

Working Conditions

Anticipated schedule is Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm with occasional evening and Saturday based on class schedules and community events.  

Work is performed either in or a combination of a construction site, office setting and 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

Full-time, hourly, grant-funded position with 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).

• This is a specially grant funded position through 9/30/2027 with a possibility for renewal.
• Wage rate is determined with the candidate’s education and experience with a wage range starting at $22.06/hr ($45,890 annually).

Application Procedure

• Complete an online application at hawkeyecollege.edu/employment
  • Submit/upload a cover letter addressing the following:
    • Describe your skills and abilities related to case management specifically; addressing barriers preventing success and communication with participants.
    • Share any experience that you have had relating to preparing individuals to enter into the workforce.
    • Describe your experience handling and managing multiple processes and deadlines.
    • Explain your working knowledge and use of computer software including but not limited to: Word, Excel, Google Suite, database systems etc.
  • 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 Monday, December 2, 2024. Completed applications, along with the required materials, received after the priority screening date will be considered at the discretion of the college. 

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.