Career Coach

Virginia's Community College System; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) seeks a passionate Career Coach to help students turn interests into career and educational opportunities. The role acts as a bridge among students, schools, higher education, and the workforce, guiding options, goals, and postsecondary transitions.

This is an 11-month, grant-funded position based at Alleghany High School and Bath High School. The ideal candidate collaborates with counselors, faculty, and community partners to create pathways from high

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher with proven academic excellence.
• Experience administering and interpreting assessments.
• Knowledge of Career Pathways programs.
• Knowledge of Dual Enrollment Program and procedures.
• Knowledge of best practices in 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.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate career assessments and help students develop individualized plans.
• Advise school counselors and staff on career exploration and pathways.
• Assist students with college placement, program selection, and transition planning.
• Incorporate work-based learning and employability skills into career prep.
• Build relationships with industry to expand pathways and certifications.
• Collaborate with high schools, college staff, and partners to create pathways.
• Become an expert on MGCC programs to guide student decisions.
• Support and mentor new Career Coaches and comply with VCCS reporting.
• Support dual enrollment initiatives with the Dual Enrollment Coordinator.
• Contribute to program management and continuous improvement in student transitions.

Skills

Academic excellence

Assessments administration

Career coaching strategies

Data gathering and analysis

English communication

Team player

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Working Title Career Coach Role Title Education Support Spec III Role Code 29144-SW FLSA Exempt Pay Band 04 Position Number 287R0052 Agency Mountain Gateway Community College Division Mountain Gateway Community College (Div) Work Location Rockbridge - 163 Hiring Range $45,600 to $47,000 Emergency/Essential Personnel No EEO Category 2-Professionals Full Time or Part Time Full 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
TBD
Sensitive Position No Job Description

Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is a two-year public institution of higher education and one of 23 community colleges in Virginia. The college is supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia; the counties of Alleghany, Bath, Botetourt (northern portion) and Rockbridge; the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, and Lexington; and the town of Clifton Forge. MGCC provides opportunities for the extension of knowledge, skills and personal enrichment in an environment that maintains high academic standards and respect for each individual. The college strives to keep programs and services financially and geographically accessible for all students. Credit and non-credit courses are offered to meet life‑long learning needs. On‑site and distance learning options incorporate up-to-date technologies.

Help Students Discover Their Future. Build Pathways to Success.

Do you believe every student deserves a clear path from high school to college, career, and beyond?

Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is seeking a passionate, collaborative, and student-focused Career Coach to help students turn their interests and potential into meaningful career and educational opportunities.

This is more than a career coach position. The Career Coach serves as a bridge between students, schools, higher education, and the workforce, helping students understand their options, develop career goals, gain real‑world experience, and successfully transition into postsecondary education and careers.

If you enjoy building relationships, connecting people with opportunities, and making a tangible difference in students’ lives, we invite you to consider joining the MGCC team.

What You’ll Do

As a Career Coach, You Will

• Guide students toward their future by coordinating career assessments through Wizard and helping students develop individualized career plans aligned with their interests, strengths, and goals.
• Be a trusted resource for school counselors and staff, providing expertise and support related to career exploration, planning, and postsecondary pathways.
• Help students navigate college opportunities, including college placement, program selection, career exploration, and transition planning.
• Connect learning to the real world by incorporating work‑based learning experiences, employability skills, and soft‑skills development into students’ career preparation.
• Build relationships with business and industry to expand career pathways, connect students with workforce opportunities, and promote industry‑recognized certifications available through Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
• Create seamless pathways from high school to college by collaborating with high school personnel, community college faculty and staff, and other educational partners.
• Become an expert on MGCC’s programs, including transfer and career-oriented degrees, certificates, and Career Studies Certificates, so you can help students identify programs that match their goals.
• Support and mentor new Career Coaches, helping them understand the role, expectations, best practices, and Virginia Community College System (VCCS) reporting requirements.
• Support dual enrollment initiatives by working collaboratively with the Dual Enrollment Coordinator and Associate Vice President/Chief Student Affairs Officer.
• Contribute to program management and continuous improvement efforts that strengthen career exploration, college access, work‑based learning, dual enrollment, and student transitions

Position Status:

This is an 11-month, grant‑funded position with an annual employment period of August 1 through June 30. This position is based at Alleghany High School and Bath 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

• Proven academic excellence and subject matter knowledge, which may be evidenced by training, experience, and/or a Bachelor’s Degree.
• 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

Additional Considerations

Knowledge of MGCC programs

Knowledge of Dual Enrollment Programs and procedures

Experience in administering and interpreting assessments

Operation of a State Vehicle No Supervises Employees Yes Required Travel

Some travel

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: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

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.