Strengthening Community Colleges (SCC4) Program Navigator

Position Title: Strengthening Community Colleges, (SCC4) Program Navigator

Department: Customized Training and Development

Division: Workforce Development (WOD)

Location: Advanced Technology Center (ATC – 1400 Big Thunder Belvidere, Illinois)

Employee Status: Full-Time

Type: Professional Staff Association (PSA) (Grant-Funded through April 30, 2028)

Grade: K

Salary: $53,459 -55,062 annually

ICCB Classification: Professional / Technical

FLSA: Exempt

Issued: January 2026

Revised: July 2026

Employment Notice: Rock Valley College does not offer sponsorship for employment-based visas for this position now or in the future. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Application Deadline: August 2nd, 2026

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: SCC4 Program Director

Supervision Exercised: None

Job Summary: The Program Navigator provides academic, career, and wraparound support for students enrolled in programs connected to the SCC4 grant, including CNC machining, mechatronics, and welding. The Navigator serves as a primary point of contact from recruitment through completion, supporting student success, retention, credential attainment, and transition to employment or further education.

Responsibilities include intrusive advising, case management, recruitment support, student tracking, coordination with internal and external partners, and documentation for grant compliance. This is a full-time, grant-funded position.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities Include The Following.

• Serve as the central student support contact for assigned SCC4 programs, providing holistic, proactive advising and regular communication.
• Guide students in developing academic and career plans, monitoring progress, and intervening when necessary.
• Assist students via scheduled appointments, drop-in hours, email, and other communication modes.
• Help students navigate college processes, policies, and available campus and community resources.
• Support students in overcoming barriers to persistence, including referrals to wraparound services.
• Assist with outreach, recruitment, campus tours, and events to build enrollment pipelines.
• Follow up with prospective students after recruitment activities; communicate with all applicants.
• Provide support for program registration, including new student onboarding.
• Maintain strong relationships with faculty, program directors, student services, career services, and external partners to coordinate holistic support.
• Work collaboratively with external navigators, training partners, and employer contacts.
• Coordinate with Career Technical Education teams to meet regional workforce and employer needs.
• Maintain accurate student records, advising notes, and case management documentation.
• Track student progression, credential attainment, employment outcomes, and required grant data.
• Assist in gathering, entering, and preparing information for institutional, state, and federal reports (e.g., DOL, ICCB, HLC).
• Support grant-related activities as assigned, including reporting, meeting preparation, and communication deliverables.
• Participate in professional development relevant to the position and grant program.
• Represent the College professionally at internal and external meetings, workshops, and community events.
• Provide administrative and project support to the department as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates Degree required
• 2-3 years experience in providing student-centered support by understanding and responding to the unique needs of each student. Demonstrated ability to adapt advising strategies and connect students with appropriate resources based on their individual circumstances.
• Demonstrated project management expertise (minimum two years) Strong track record of timely & accurate program performance & fiscal reporting
• Experience and knowledge of community college, public higher education, and workforce systems
• Experience working across multiple constituencies
• Experience working with diverse populations
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• 2-3 years' experience in implementing academic programs (credit and noncredit) preferred
• 2-3 years' experience creating academic and career pathways to advance student learning and credentialing obtainment preferred
  
  

Work Environment

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting.

Physical Demands

Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear.