What are the responsibilities and job description for the Career Coach position at Mountain Gateway Community College?
Posting Summary
Working Title
Career Coach
Role Title
Education Support Specialist I
Role Code
29142-SW
FLSA
Nonexempt
Pay Band
02
Position Number
287W0161
Agency
Mountain Gateway Community College
Division
Mountain Gateway Community College (Div)
Work Location
Buena Vista - 530
Hiring Range
$21.25 to $25.00 an hour
Emergency/Essential Personnel
No
EEO Category
5-Paraprofessionals
Full Time or Part Time
Part Time
Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs-
Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference?
Work Schedule
8 am to 3:30 pm
Sensitive Position
No
Job Description
Are you passionate about helping young people discover their potential and prepare for successful futures? Do you enjoy mentoring, coaching, and inspiring the next generation? If so, we’d love to have you join our team.
We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Part-Time Career Coach to work with high school students as they explore career pathways, develop professional skills, and create plans for life after graduation. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by empowering students to confidently pursue college, careers, military service, apprenticeships, or other postsecondary opportunities.
What You’ll Do
- Build meaningful relationships with students through one-on-one career coaching.
- Help students identify their strengths, interests, values, and career goals using career and interest assessments.
- Guide students in developing individualized career and education plans.
- Facilitate engaging workshops and small-group sessions on career exploration, workplace readiness, financial literacy, interviewing, resume writing, and professional skills.
- Connect students with internships, job shadowing opportunities, employers, colleges, training programs, and community resources.
- Collaborate with school counselors, teachers, administrators, families, and business partners to support student success.
- Track student progress, maintain accurate records, and contribute to program outcomes.
- Foster a culture of confidence, curiosity, and lifelong learning.
What We’re Looking For
- Passion for helping students discover their strengths and prepare for successful futures.
- Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, human services, business, workforce development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, relevant skills, and professional experience.
- Experience in career coaching, workforce development, education, counseling, advising, mentoring, or youth development preferred.
- Experience administering and interpreting career or interest assessments.
- Experience facilitating workshops, presentations, or small-group instruction.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational and time management abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other technology platforms, with the ability to quickly learn new software.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse students, staff, families, and community partners.
Why Join Us?
This is more than a part-time job—it’s an opportunity to influence the future of our community. Every conversation, workshop, and coaching session has the potential to change a student’s trajectory. You’ll help young people gain confidence, explore possibilities, and take meaningful steps toward achieving their goals.
If you believe every student deserves someone who believes in their future, we encourage you to apply and become part of our mission to prepare students for success beyond high school.
Special Assignments
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.
KSA's/Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities gained through relevant work experience and training.
- Experience administering and interpreting assessments
- Knowledge of Career Pathways programs
- Knowledge of Dual Enrollment Program and procedures
- Knowledge of best practices related to career development services
- Knowledge of MGCC programs
- Experience using career coaching strategies
- Experience working with underserved/underrepresented populations
- Experience in academic and career advising
- Ability to gather and analyze data
- Command of the English language both oral and written
- Excellent computer skills
- Ability to be a team player including maintaining confidentiality
- Excellent communication and team-building skills
Additional Considerations
Preferred Bachelor’s Degree
Operation of a State Vehicle
No
Supervises Employees
No
Required Travel
Travel to Perry McCluer High School & James River High School
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
WGE_3291P
Recruitment Type
General Public - G
Number of Vacancies
1
Position End Date (if temporary)
Job Open Date
07/16/2026
Job Close Date
08/02/2026
Open Until Filled
Agency Website
Contact Name
Email
Phone Number
Special Instructions to Applicants
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:
Additional Information
Background Check Statement Disclaimer
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/
EEO Statement
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.
ADA Statement
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.
E-Verify Statement
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 : $21 - $25