Job Description: Career Support Specialist (CSS)

Reports to: Program Coordinator | High School Principal

Role and Responsibilities:

The Career Support Specialist will illustrate success with student supports with their assigned High School with activities and services such as: arranging career engagement opportunities with employers and partners related to professional readiness training, career-track employment, and work-based activities; attendance in individual school site-based council meetings or professional learning committees; data collection and input; recruit new employers to promote pre-apprenticeships;  will cultivate (job placements, mentoring, and shadowing activities); facilitate college credit course(s); help students select career pathways; help promote students in Career Academies through social media and marketing; develop strong partnerships within their communities to help design new Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPS).

CSS Duties:

The Career Support Specialist will coordinate the program for their High School.  Direction and communication of activities and services for student participants include:

• Recruitment and enrollment of student participants into the program
• Coordinate with employers on possible students for internships/job shadowing experiences
• Host and develop advisory team meetings as needed or directed by the Program Coordinator
• Input data requirements into a performance tracking system on student participants; this must be done each quarter and be completed by the assigned due dates for the US DOL
• Provide support to students about college readiness, work readiness, and employer engagement
• Provide academic & career counseling to students enrolled in the program as needed
• Facilitate college courses for students enrolled in the program
• Facilitate industry-recognized credentials for student participants
• Attend career events & workshops that WEP contractual partners offer
• Complete the Career Development Facilitator Training (if deemed necessary)
• Submit weekly/monthly updates through social media, school newsletters, and the HS website
• Oversee Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) for all students enrolled in the program
• Oversee Performance Matrix outcomes for your HS program in relation to student participants
• Promote an Student Leadership Team that will meet monthly and focus on student voice
• Communicate with school staff on updates, outcomes, and projects promoting the program
• Communicate with the Kentucky Office of Industry and Apprenticeship Services to oversee pre-apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPS) in communication with employers and student participants
• Coordinate schedules of pre-apprenticeships and RAPS with employers and future employer partners
• Create ongoing partnerships with employers that will promote RAPS with on-the-job learning
• Coordinate with the Area Development District to assist with employer connections & WIOA activities

Other Job Responsibilities:

The Career Support Specialist will provide:

• Communication and help identify work-based learning experiences with student participants
• Assistance with FAFSA completion with student participants
• Maintain knowledge about Apprenticeships and work-based learning activities
• Be available to support students with wrap-around services
• Be flexible with daily schedules as it pertains to the needs of the students and the program

Monthly Meetings:

The Career Support Specialist will need to be available each month to attend an advisory team meeting at other High School Locations within their region (either in person or virtually).

Education | Qualifications | Skills:

Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other Microsoft Software Applications

Must be proficient in Google Applications

Bachelor’s Degree or greater

The Career Support Specialist will need a Kentucky Teaching certificate with an administrative or counseling certificate preferred but not required; CTE background preferred but not required; at least 5 years of teaching experience; prior experience in coordination of building-level projects preferred; previous experience with career counseling preferred but not required; evidence of networking with state organizations and university partnerships for dual credit or dual enrollment opportunities for students, experience with work-based learning activities such as internships and apprenticeships.

The Project Director may require the selected candidate for this position to complete the Career Development Facilitator Training, paid for by WEP, if the person lacks the experience or needs the skill set to satisfy the position to benefit student participants in the program.