What are the responsibilities and job description for the Career Services Specialist position at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College?
Reynolds Community College is seeking a mission-driven, student-focused Career Coach to join our team at the Parham Road Career Connect Center. This role advances the college’s commitment to student belonging, purpose, and success by providing comprehensive career services to both academic (credit) students and workforce learners served through the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA).
Key Responsibilities
- Assess students’ skills, needs, interests, and aptitudes to support career exploration and planning.
- Educate students on academic programs at Reynolds and industry-recognized training offered through CCWA; assist individuals in creating customized career plans.
- Support students in establishing, maintaining, or adjusting career pathways leading to employment or further education.
- Deliver individualized coaching, including résumé development, interview preparation, and job readiness support.
- Partner with teaching faculty to offer classroom workshops such as résumé labs, soft-skills training, and mock interviews.
- Work closely with Employment Relations staff to connect students to internships, work-based learning, and employment opportunities.
- Utilize a case management system to document student interactions, track progress, and support reporting and data aggregation.
- Connect students to wrap-around supports through Reynolds, CCWA, and community partner resources.
- Maintain awareness of the unique needs of underserved populations and support equitable access to career and educational success.
- Monitor and interpret state and regional labor market trends.
- Participate in meetings, training, and professional development to remain current with college and workforce initiatives.
May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
- Demonstrated knowledge of career development practices, labor market information, and student engagement strategies.
- Experience in the use of skills assessments, job readiness development, and career planning techniques.
- Working understanding of education, workforce, and social service systems.
- Experience in interpreting labor market trends and providing informed, effective career coaching.
- Proficiency using technology platforms and basic software (word processing, digital communication tools, spreadsheets, databases).
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrated teamwork, professionalism, and strong work ethic.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in education, human services, counseling, workforce development, or a related field.
- Experience working in a community college environment or with community career assistance programs.
- Experience coordinating services with multiple agencies and community partners.
- Proficiency in Career Services technology platforms such as Handshake, Navigate, and Lightcast Career Coach.
- VCCS Career Coach Certification
This is a part-time hourly position without state benefits. Wage employees are restricted to working approximately 29 hours per week or less, not to exceed 1,500 hours annually.
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link:
The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/
VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.
Salary : $20