Career Coach

About WSM

WorkSource Montgomery, Inc. (WSM) is a nonprofit organization and fiduciary agent for Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act funding in Montgomery County. The non-profit organization operates the American Job Centers in Wheaton and Germantown and provides employment services to county residents who are unemployed or underemployed. WSM supports Montgomery County Businesses by engaging employers in various industries throughout the county to ensure that their workforce needs are being met. Additionally, WSM is responsible for delivering Career Coaching Services to all 6th to 12th-grade Montgomery County Public Schools students.

Job Overview

Reporting to a Career Education Manager, this position is responsible for delivering WSM's Career Education programming as funded through the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a comprehensive education reform law that mandates that local workforce development boards deliver individualized career coaching to all Middle and High School students. The Career Coach (CC) will work with Montgomery County Public School's 6th through 12th-grade students, teachers, school administrators, and families. The CC plays an integral role in facilitating student progression to become College, Career, and Community Ready. CCs will be trained and employ research-based approaches to assist students in their understanding of their strengths, interests, and values leading to a vivid vision of their best possible future selves equipped with knowledge of occupational matches that fit each individual student. All programming will be calibrated to be age and stage appropriate starting with teaching students and teachers the language of Holland's Code.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Employ a dialogic model of instruction to help integrate learning.
• Provide RIASEC and other strengths-based assessments to assist student self-understanding.
• Refer students to the appropriate MCPS personnel to complete their progression to CCCR readiness.
• Assist students to become College, Career, and Community Ready as defined by MCPS.
• Utilize labor market information that will help them to make better decisions about their selected careers.
• Supply information to students regarding the MCPS program and initiatives that support career exploration. Examples include Career and Technical Education options, internships, or service-learning opportunities.
• Establish and maintain excellent collaborative working relationships with WSM staff and partners, especially MCPS educators and administrators.
• Work directly with Middle or High School Students, on MCPS campuses, as assigned.
• Communicate with families and other stakeholders regarding CCCR readiness.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Coordinate with Industry Engagement staff to provide experiential learning opportunities so students can become familiar with industries and occupations that match their RIASEC themes.
• Document student progress.
• Assist educators and administrators to integrate career awareness in core instruction.
• Ensure that WSM Career Coaching services are delivered in a manner that is culturally competent and equitable.
• Provide representation during staff and public/community meetings on behalf of the WSM Career Education Team.

The Ideal Candidate

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of Career Education program delivery and eager to learn new strategies and skills.
• Ability to anticipate needs and solve problems autonomously (and sometimes creatively)
• Positive can-do attitude
• Organizational and follow-up skills
• Flexibility, adaptability, and patience in dealing with multiple quickly shifting priorities and demanding timelines
• Ability to establish rapport with WSM and MCPS staff and co-workers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Teams
• Culture Creator with exceptional communication skills
• Ability and drive to deliver innovative Career Education programs.
• Creative thinker with the ability to foresee issues and possible solutions
• Ability to utilize or quickly learn technical tools such as management information systems
• Ability to effectively establish priorities and manage multiple student needs in a fast-paced school environment.
• Energetically Committed to facilitating young people in their understanding of themselves and possible career matches.

Qualifications & Requirements

• At least two (2) years of relevant experience, preferably in a workforce development, educational, not-for-profit, or human services setting.
• Preferred a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or related experience.
• Bilingual is a plus.
• Preferred Career Education experience in a public K-12 setting.
• Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of WSM and Montgomery County Public Schools background screenings.

WSM Offers

• 403b retirement plan with up to 3% company match.
• Full benefits package including life and disability insurance.
• Company events and team-building activities to promote workplace culture.
• Professional development based on the apprenticeship training model.
• Competitive compensation.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time.

WorkSource Montgomery is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. WSM makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

WSM completes Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. EOE, Including Disability/Vets.