What are the responsibilities and job description for the Academic Counselor - Fast Forward Re-engagement Center (Grant-Funded) position at Sinclair Community College?
At Sinclair, we are guided by our Core Values, which shape our culture and drive our success:
- Accountable to our students, the community and one another.
- Collaborative in working together to achieve excellence in education and service to our community.
- Compassionate in fostering a supportive environment where every individual feels valued.
- Inclusive so that a college education is accessible to everyone, and all individuals feel heard, valued and respected.
- Innovative to inspire creativity and drive transformative change.
The Sinclair Fast Forward Re-engagement Center (FFRC) Academic Coach position provides student and family support services to disconnected students seeking to reengage with the best fit academic school or program for high school completion and transition to post-secondary education, career, or military pathway. Working in collaboration with partner schools and community partners, this position provides academic reengagement coaching and community resource referrals via in-person and virtual platforms, as well as coordinates case management reports (monthly) and math, reading, and resiliency assessments (bi-annually). This position supports the mission of FFRC/Montgomery County Out-of-School Youth Initiative which is to increase the County high completion rate and facilitating successful transition beyond high school for disconnect students.
Under the leadership of the FFRC Project Director and/or Student Enrichment Programs Director that support the activities of the department, the primary focus for this position is advocating for disconnected students and connecting students to the education pathway for retention and graduation. The ideal candidate for this position will be someone with the ability to reach students, build community relations, knowledge of the education system – especially effective dropout prevention strategies, and case management skills.
This position will ensure information for community resources, school referral and enrollment support are disseminated to students/families and stakeholders. This position will ensure administrative responsibilities for maintaining FFRC data management tools for data tracking, student scheduling, and will assist with preparation and compiling of information needed for all reports required or requested by Sinclair leadership, Montgomery County, as well as other funders, and national reports on dropout intervention and re-engagement.
This position is grant-funded and contingent upon funding associated with the grant.
- SCC has the right to revise this position description at any time. This position description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
Principal Accountabilities
- Meet with students and complete intake process to assess needs and identify barriers to determine academic best fit
- Provide holistic coaching/advising and recommend interventions to assist “at-risk” students toward the completion of their education/career and personal goals
- Coordinate, manage and disseminate community and school resources for students and families
- Accurately interpret, apply, and clearly communicate the high school academic re-engagement requirements, processes and policies
- Use the systems and processes provided by the institution and partner schools/programs to clearly and fully document interactions with students, which includes administer assessments and placement process
- Serve as an effective team member within the department, sub-groups, or any collaborative teams assigned
- Demonstrate performance that is innovative, well-organized, supportive of institutional and department goals and that fosters individual excellence and morale
- Maintains databases of FFRC services and outcomes crucial for reporting progress as requested by county and other funders/donors
- Maintains data of outside services provided by partner and assists in preparing graphs/charts reports for presentations
- Maintains data entry and reporting using internal database tracking tools. And SEP data reporting system through the college: oversee electronic scheduling of student appointments; resource referrals and follow-ups
- Recognize and create processes that continuously improve data analysis and management of services
- Support other program staff on using current and new database tools, in addition to software Google Suites that provide information and re-engagement support
- General office management of daily program operations which includes customer service, mailing, duplications, files, and record keeping, FFRC marketing/social media, and managing any SCC paperwork processes as needed
- Attend as a vendor and/or plan and host community outreach event
- Meet with engaged students and provides resources for education, employment, and future post-secondary goals
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education or in a discipline area related to the area of advising, education, or social services required; master’s degree preferred
- Minimum of 2 years of work experience in a discipline related to the advising/coaching, education, counseling, or social work required; master’s degree in education or in a discipline area related to the advising community assigned may be substituted for work experience at the discretion of the supervisor and director
- Experience in education administration and case management is preferred.
- Excellent listening and problem-solving skills, ability to assess needs and identify resources required
- Organizational and presentation skills, including workshop or program planning skills required
- Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to work with various groups of students, families, and community stakeholders required
- Experience in general office work, data management and reporting; must have a strong technological knowledge and skills that support data entry, reporting processes, and understanding of academic and social/emotional assessment programs
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical work practices
- Excellent self-motivation, initiative, multitasker and organizational skills are essential
