Career Navigator Specialist - WEI

Rock Valley College; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL is seeking a Career Navigator Specialist to support the Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI). Under the WEI Program Director, you will build employer partnerships, coordinate career readiness activities, and secure employment, internships, and externships for WEI participants.

You will manage a caseload and drive a 75% employment placement goal through proactive outreach and partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration, education, workforce development, human resources, student services, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in workforce development, career services, employer relations, recruitment, job placement, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience working effectively with individuals from diverse socioeconomic, educational, and cultural backgrounds.
• Valid Driver's License

Responsibilities

• Develop and secure strong employer pipelines that provide sustainable job, internship, and externship opportunities aligned with WEI program goals.
• Build long‑term relationships with hiring managers, decision‑makers, and WEI participants to increase hiring of WEI participants.
• Establish a minimum of one active employer partnership per WEI training program and support achievement of the program's 75% employment placement goal.
• Identify workforce trends, industry hiring needs, and employment opportunities to develop targeted recruitment and placement strategies.
• Manage employment placement activities for a caseload of approximately 100–200 participants across overlapping grant cycles.
• Actively promote WEI participants to employers, coordinate interviews, and facilitate successful transitions from training to employment.
• Collaborate with Career Services to provide career readiness workshops, resume assistance, interview preparation, and individualized employment coaching aligned with the Illinois Essential Employability Skills framework.
• Coordinate internship and externship opportunities with employers, faculty, and WEI Life Coaches to ensure timely placement and completion of required work‑based learning experiences.
• Plan and execute a minimum of two annual career fairs and related recruitment events, securing participation from at least 40 employers annually to maximize student access to career opportunities.
• Organize employer presentations, company tours, industry panels, and on‑campus recruitment activities to strengthen student exposure to career opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and current employment tracking records, including job placements, employer information, wages, employment verification, and retention outcomes.
• Conduct consistent follow‑up with program completers and employers to verify employment status, address placement barriers, and support job retention.
• Monitor employment outcomes, identify gaps in placement performance, and provide timely progress reports to the WEI Program Director to ensure grant compliance and accountability.
• Collaborate with WEI Life Coaches, faculty, Career Services, and community partners to coordinate employment services and address participant barriers to workforce entry.
• Utilize social media, cold calls, networking events, and community contacts to continuously expand the employer network and identify new job openings.
• Support students throughout their job search and placement process, including referrals and follow‑up to promote successful job retention.
• Independently manage employer outreach and recruitment activities
• Ability to motivate and problem‑solve with WEI participants regarding barriers to employment while navigating the complex needs of the grant
• Attend relevant conferences, workshops, and professional development opportunities to remain current on workforce trends and employer needs.
• Maintain regular, professional attendance and punctuality.

Skills

Relationship building

Organization

Communication

Multi-tasking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, education, workforce development, human resources, or a closely related field

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Position Title:Career Navigator Specialist (WEI)
Department: Workforce Development (WOD)
Division:Workforce Empowerment initiative (WEI)
Employee Status:Full-time (Grant-Funded through September 30, 2027) with opportunity for renewal)
Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm (Required to work occasional evenings and Saturdays)
Type: Professional Staff Association (PSA)
Grade: K
Salary:($55,000 - $57,165 annually)
FLSA: Exempt

ICCB Classification: Professional/Tech

Revised: 11/2023, 05/2024, 07/2025, 10/2026

Application Deadline: Friday, October 30, 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:Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI) Program Director.
Supervision Exercised:Functional supervision may be exercised over non-exempt staff and student workers.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI) Program Director, the Career Navigator develops employer partnerships, coordinates career readiness activities, and secures employment, internship, and externship opportunities for WEI participants. This position serves as the primary liaison between WEI participants, employers, and college partners to facilitate successful transitions from workforce training into sustainable employment. The Career Navigator proactively identifies hiring opportunities, builds industry relationships, and coordinates recruitment initiatives to support the program's 75% employment placement goal. The position maintains accurate employment records, verifies placement outcomes, and ensures compliance with grant reporting requirements. Success in this role requires strong initiative, relationship‑building skills, independent decision‑making, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a results‑driven, grant‑funded environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Additional related duties may be assigned.

• Develop and secure strong employer pipelines that provide sustainable job, internship, and externship opportunities aligned with WEI program goals.
• Build long‑term relationships with hiring managers, decision‑makers, and WEI participants to increase hiring of WEI participants.
• Establish a minimum of one active employer partnership per WEI training program and support achievement of the program's 75% employment placement goal.
• Identify workforce trends, industry hiring needs, and employment opportunities to develop targeted recruitment and placement strategies.
• Manage employment placement activities for a caseload of approximately 100–200 participants across overlapping grant cycles.
• Actively promote WEI participants to employers, coordinate interviews, and facilitate successful transitions from training to employment.
• Collaborate with Career Services to provide career readiness workshops, resume assistance, interview preparation, and individualized employment coaching aligned with the Illinois Essential Employability Skills framework.
• Coordinate internship and externship opportunities with employers, faculty, and WEI Life Coaches to ensure timely placement and completion of required work‑based learning experiences.
• Plan and execute a minimum of two annual career fairs and related recruitment events, securing participation from at least 40 employers annually to maximize student access to career opportunities.
• Organize employer presentations, company tours, industry panels, and on‑campus recruitment activities to strengthen student exposure to career opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and current employment tracking records, including job placements, employer information, wages, employment verification, and retention outcomes.
• Conduct consistent follow‑up with program completers and employers to verify employment status, address placement barriers, and support job retention.
• Monitor employment outcomes, identify gaps in placement performance, and provide timely progress reports to the WEI Program Director to ensure grant compliance and accountability.
• Collaborate with WEI Life Coaches, faculty, Career Services, and community partners to coordinate employment services and address participant barriers to workforce entry.
• Utilize social media, cold calls, networking events, and community contacts to continuously expand the employer network and identify new job openings.
• Support students throughout their job search and placement process, including referrals and follow‑up to promote successful job retention.
• Independently manage employer outreach and recruitment activities
• Ability to motivate and problem‑solve with WEI participants regarding barriers to employment while navigating the complex needs of the grant
• Attend relevant conferences, workshops, and professional development opportunities to remain current on workforce trends and employer needs.
• Maintain regular, professional attendance and punctuality.

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 essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration, education, workforce development, human resources, student services, or a closely related field.

• Minimum of two years of professional experience in workforce development, career services, employer relations, recruitment, job placement, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience working effectively with individuals from diverse socioeconomic, educational, and cultural backgrounds.
• Valid Driver's License

Required Attributes

• Ability to provide professional, nonjudgmental support to participants facing barriers to employment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employers, students, and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records.
• Strong organizational, administrative, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Must be comfortable transitioning between campus, professional workplaces, and hands‑on training environments to support student placement and employer engagement efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of experience in employer recruitment, job placement, workforce development, or business development.
• Experience securing employer partnerships, internships, externships, or employment opportunities.
• Experience working in higher education, community colleges, or grant‑funded workforce programs.
• Experience coordinating career fairs, hiring events, and employer recruitment activities.
• Knowledge of regional labor market trends, employment verification, and grant performance reporting.

Work Environment

This position is based on campus with an assigned office; however, frequent travel to employer offices, training sites, and community partner locations is required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described in this section are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing this role, employees regularly use their hands to operate tools, equipment, or controls, and to reach, handle, or manipulate objects. The role also involves frequent verbal communication and active listening, as well as periods of standing.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to individuals with disabilities throughout the employment process. Including application and hiring, and to perform the essential functions of the position.