Career Navigator (IBT)

Rock Valley College; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Rock Valley College seeks a Career Navigator to support IBT grant participants, serving as the main contact for adult education, ESL, and bridge program students. You will guide career exploration, academic planning, and transitions into credential programs, workforce training, or employment.

You will collaborate with instructors, student services, and community partners to remove barriers and connect students to supports, advancing education-to-career pathways aligned with regional industries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, human services, workforce development, or related field.
• Two years of experience in advising, career counseling, or adult education preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary career and academic advisor for IBT-funded programs.
• Recruit, intake, and orient eligible participants into IBT programming.
• Develop individualized career and education plans with each participant.
• Provide one-on-one and group advising on college enrollment, financial aid, and credential pathways.
• Identify and address non-academic barriers to persistence (transportation, childcare, housing, technology access).
• Coordinate and track progress toward measurable skill gains, credential attainment, and employment outcomes.
• Build relationships with employers and community partners to expand internship and job opportunities.
• Collaborate with instructors and staff to align advising with classroom instruction.
• Maintain participant records in required data systems and support grant reporting.

Skills

Advising

Career counseling

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education

Tools

TOPSpro Enterprise

AmpliFund

Job description

Division: College Readiness/Learner Supports (ARL)

Employee Status: Part Time (up to 25 hours) (Grant Funded through March 31, 2027)

Type: NA

Grade: NA

Salary: ($23.67-$28.70 hourly)

FLSA: Non-Exempt

ICCB Classification: Professional/Technical

Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

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.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Director of Adult Learners

Supervision Exercised: None

Job Summary

The Career Navigator supports participants enrolled in Rock Valley College's Innovative Bridge and Transition (IBT) grant, funded by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). Serving as a dedicated point of contact for adult education, ESL, and bridge program students, this position guides participants through career exploration, academic planning, and a seamless transition into postsecondary credential programs, workforce training, or employment. The Career Navigator partners closely with instructional staff, student services, and community and employer partners to remove barriers, connect participants to wrap-around supports, and advance students along an education-to-career pathway aligned with regional in-demand industries.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary career and academic advisor for students enrolled in IBT-funded bridge, adult education, and Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System (ICAPS) programming.


• Recruit, intake, and orient eligible participants into IBT programming, verifying eligibility in accordance with grant and ICCB requirements.


• Develop individualized career and education plans with each participant, including career interest and skills assessments, goal-setting, and pathway mapping into credit, noncredit, or workforce training programs.


• Provide one-on-one and group advising on college enrollment processes, financial aid, career pathway options, and credential attainment.


• Identify and address non-academic barriers to persistence (transportation, childcare, housing, technology access, etc.) by connecting participants to campus and community support services.


• Coordinate and track participant progress toward measurable skill gains, credential attainment, transition to postsecondary education or training, and employment outcomes required by the ICCB grant.


• Build and maintain relationships with employers, workforce development boards, community-based organizations, and social service agencies to expand participant access to internships, apprenticeships, and job placement opportunities.


• Collaborate with adult education instructors and IBT program staff to align advising with classroom instruction and support integrated education and training (IET) models.


• Maintain accurate, timely participant records and case notes in required data systems (e.g., TOPSpro Enterprise, AmpliFund, or other ICCB-designated systems) to support grant reporting and compliance.


• Assist in the preparation of required ICCB reports, participant outcome data, and grant deliverables; support monitoring and audit activities as needed.


• Plan and facilitate workshops, orientations, career fairs, and information sessions related to career pathways and postsecondary transition.


• Participate in professional development related to the ICCB Career Navigator Professional Pathway and relevant grant training requirements.


• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the goals of the IBT grant and RVC's Adult Education and Workforce Development division.

Regular attendance is expected.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, social work, human services, workforce development, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.


• Minimum of two years of experience in advising, career counseling, case management, workforce development, or adult education, preferably with underserved or nontraditional student populations.


• Valid Driver's License


• Working knowledge of career pathways, postsecondary transition processes, and community/workforce resources in the Rock Valley College service region.


• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills.


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including adult learners, English language learners, and individuals with barriers to employment or education.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and student information or case management data systems.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to travel to community events and partner locations and will regularly work 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.