To advance the college's mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions. GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: This position, in partnership between Kirkwood Community College and the Linn-Mar Community School District (LMCSD), will be a key part of a strategic initiative focused on specialized positions designed to work directly through community colleges and partner high schools across Iowa. College and Career Transition Counselors (CCTCs) create targeted connections with students and families during crucial periods of high school, and focus on the preparation for academic success and postsecondary access of students. Not all students graduate high school with equal backing and support. The College and Career Transition Counselor will seek to identify barriers to student access and achievement, particularly economic, organizational, and equity challenges. The ideal individual will be integral in implementing a strategic plan for school retention, college and career preparation and postsecondary success with particular effort to foster greater equity in the outcomes of students known to have a non-equitable challenge ahead of them. This is a year round position where approximately 80% of the time will be spent at Linn-Mar High School and 20% of the time at Kirkwood. Some evening hours and daytime travel will be required throughout the year.
The typical work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:
Advocate for Continual Improvement - empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
Collaborate with Mutual Accountability - working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
Champion Service - anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
Perseverance - commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
Lead - regardless of title, through positive influence.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead students, individually or in groups, in their development of academic, college, and career goals and plans, with a particular focus on equity-seeking populations.
Deliver a case-management approach, including proactive communications, case documentation, follow-through with students, faculty and other resource entities to achieve student success.
Educate students about the college application process, educational program offerings, financial aid, assessment testing and placement, and related school district and college guidelines.
Collaborate with high school counselors and other secondary and post-secondary personnel to support academic progress, career exploration, goal-setting, socially responsible leadership development, and college success planning for identified CCTC roster students.
Observe attendance, academic performance, college prep course selection, and leading students to determine educational and career goals.
Work with college campus partners on the development and enhancement of collaborative college efforts in the areas of admissions, advising, financial aid, student activities, concurrent enrollment, housing, and registration.
Assist onsite with summer programs, college orientation sessions, and other recruitment or college transition events.
Collect and analyze pertinent student data and confer 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 resources.
Collate metrics from various sources and critically analyze data, so as to provide insightful contributions to crucial organization decisions.
Conduct family and community outreach and activities to strengthen family/school partnerships, connect with community and higher education resources to plan for post-secondary education, and facilitate comprehensive college selection and financial planning processes.
Collaborate with high school personnel to develop systems for implementing individual career and academic plans (ICAP) needed for success in post-secondary education.
Potentially teach college/career exploration courses, first-year experience courses, student development courses and direct workshops for students.
Work with other college departments including but not limited to academic departments, College Credit in High School, Workplace Learning Connection, Kirkwood Adult High School & Continuing Education program, and other appropriate business, agency, and community organizations.
Participate in professional development, as directed by the Kirkwood Community College and the Linn-Mar Community School District.
Perform other related work duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
You are able and willing to represent the high school district and college in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve.
You approach your work as a collaborator who seeks to connect to your work from multiple relevant angles, while working independently to manage multiple initiatives at once.
You demonstrate knowledge of race equity concepts, cultural competence and racial identity development principles as they relate to your work.
You are committed to understanding diversity within and among equity-seeking populations and work to build engagement strategies that welcome a diverse group of perspectives and values.
You understand how to engage, support and mentor students from equity seeking populations with an emphasis on race equity.
You seek to build community among a diverse team of colleagues by promoting cultural competence, engagement in equity and inclusion work, and welcoming multiple perspectives and worldviews.
You assume responsibility, deal effectively with problems and exercise independent judgment when making decisions.
You express yourself clearly and effectively thorough oral and written communications with attention to audience-awareness.
You are a self-motivated individual with excellent time-management and organizational skills.
You possess a working knowledge of a computer and have the ability to learn database software related to working with student data, institutional data, and communication.
You aspire to work with people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as cultivate an environment that values differences.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.
Position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree required.
Experience in a secondary educational setting, college student development, counseling, advising, recruitment, admissions or related experience in a postsecondary educational setting.
A demonstrated focus on student success.
Well-developed skills in oral and written communication with ability to prepare and deliver public presentations.
Evidence of ability to use data and research to develop, assess, and improve student success outcomes.
Competency in using personal computer and other forms of technology to carry out daily tasks.
Must maintain a flexible work schedule with ability to plan, organize and manage time.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Master's degree with a license or endorsement in school counseling or a master's in a related field preferred.
Demonstrated competence working with financial aid and academic programs serving low-income, minority, and ELL students and families.
Understanding of the community college mission, knowledge of current college educational and student services procedures and practices, with a demonstrated focus on student success.
EEO AA/STATEMENT:
It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-398-5572, equity@kirkwood.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, Telephone: (312) 730-1560 Facsimile: (312) 730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.
WHY KIRKWOOD: Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
At Kirkwood Community College, we are focused on success. Whether you are a prospective student or parent, an employer or simply someone who cares about the growth and vitality of eastern Iowa—you have an energetic, committed partner with us at Kirkwood. Since the mid-1960s our graduates have worked, raised families and prospered in this area. More than 70,000 of these grads have applied their academic degrees to work in a host of fields. Tens of thousands more have enjoyed life-enriching experiences through our Continuing Education programs. As our college has grown, so have the tools and facilities to meet the changing needs of our Creative Corridor. A key part of that growth in service is our network of regional centers. Kirkwood employees have long set the standard for innovative talent, visionary spirit and overall excellence in their work. Being part of Kirkwood means being part of a deep commitment to the success of every student, every day.
