College & Career Navigator

College of Lake County; Grayslake (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition support for employees and a 
Q

Retirement plans

Paid holidays

Job summary

College of Lake County is seeking a College & Career Navigator to actively recruit and engage with prospective students, families, and area partners. The CCN will guide onboarding, college options, and pathways to enrollment across multiple programs and campuses.

The role includes collaboration with high schools, employers, and community organizations, with a focus on equity and student success. A bachelor’s degree and flexibility for evenings/weekends are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field with two years’ experience in higher education.
• Strong oral/written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours including some evening and weekend hours.
• Must have reliable transportation to visit CLC campuses, high schools and community organizations.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and onboard prospective students, families, high schools, and community partners.
• Advise on programs, registration, and academic planning.
• Assist with financial planning, aid, and scholarships outreach.
• Coordinate with internal departments and external partners to align messaging and services.
• Support professional development and college-wide events as needed.
• Maintain documentation and follow FERPA guidelines.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Presentation

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Word processing

Internet

Email

Database

Job description

Why choose the College of Lake County for your next opportunity?

The College of Lake County (CLC) offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits that includes Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois health, Delta Dental and Superior Vision insurance plans, tuition support for employees and qualified family members, three retirement plans, disability, group and supplemental life insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending account plans, a compressed work week in the summer (Closed Fridays!), generous vacation, sick and personal time off and 14 paid holidays each year. Some benefits will not be available for Part-Time or Part Time Staff Under 20 Hours (ex: health insurance). We value candidates who bring language skills that help us better serve and connect with our diverse community. Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency is preferred but not required.

Position Title: College & Career Navigator

Job Summary

The College and Career Navigator (CCN) actively recruits and engages with prospective students, their families, area high schools, local employers, and community partners to build awareness of college options, foster a college-going identity, and create connections to CLC as one of the top choices in higher education. The CCN serves as a point person for prospective students exploring college and career options and has an established caseload of incoming students who have committed to enrolling at CLC. The CCN is responsible for providing a personalized, culturally relevant onboarding experience for incoming students through a holistic approach to student support during college and career exploration activities, field of interest and college selection, academic readiness and financial literacy activities, and successful transition to first semester enrollment. Embedded CCN works within the high schools (4 days a week) to provide programming and hands on assistance with students that are interested in attending CLC. Their caseload consists of 9-12 grades as well as recent high school graduates. Non-Embedded High School CCN – this CCN works with high schools that do not have embedded partnerships. They provide programming and group onboarding events for students interested in attending CLC. Their caseload is 9-12 graders and recent high school graduates. Adult Learner CCN – This CCN staffs the three CLC campuses and provides assistance for students interested in attending CLC. Their caseloads consist of adults who are two years or more post high school graduation.

Student & Customer Service – 85%

1) Recruitment and Onboarding Support outreach efforts aligned with CLC’s marketing and enrollment goals. Build relationships with prospective students from application to day one. Provide personalized guidance, promote CLC programs, and connect students to campus resources and events. Tailor messaging to different audiences and utilize tools to support college and career decision-making. 2) First-Semester Academic Advising Use strengths-based and student-centered approaches to help students explore programs, register for classes, and build academic plans. Maintain generalist knowledge of all programs and services. Advise students on goals, transfer plans, and personal success strategies. Document advising interactions and follow FERPA guidelines. 3) Career Exploration Guide students through career assessments and exploration tools. Collaborate with faculty to connect students to career pathways and mentors. 4) Transfer Exploration Support students in identifying transfer options and planning for admission requirements. Partner with the Transfer Information Coordinator and help students conduct basic transfer research. 5) Financial Planning Connect students to financial aid, scholarships, and payment resources. Partner with Financial Aid and participate in related outreach events. 6) Personal Success Support Help students navigate academic and personal challenges. Promote self-advocacy and refer students to skill-building and support services. Encourage balance and holistic well-being. 7) Case Management Maintain a proactive caseload approach; track progress, communicate regularly, and offer targeted support. Use data tools to guide outreach and interventions. Celebrate milestones, elevate concerns when needed, and ensure students complete key onboarding steps.

Project and Process Management – 10%

1) Case Management Coordination Support improvements to case management systems and practices. Serve as a resource for onboarding and advising model development. 2) Collaboration Work with internal departments and external partners (high schools, employers, community orgs) to align messaging, services, and pipelines to CLC. Represent CLC in testing, registration, and engagement activities. Build partnerships across campus to improve student onboarding.

Other – 5%

Engage in professional development, support CLC-wide events, serve on committees, and perform other duties as assigned.

Information Regarding Working with Students Age 17 or Younger

Candidate must possess and maintain eligibility to work with secondary (high school) and post-secondary students, in-person at all assigned work locations and virtually, in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Illinois School Code and Faith’s Law. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer fingerprint-based criminal history records check, employment history review, and any other screening or clearance requirements mandated by state or federal law and applicable school district policies or procedures. Continued employment is subject to maintaining such eligibility and clearances.

Required Qualification(s)

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field with two (2) years’ experiences in higher education or higher education institution, secondary education, and/or human services. Strong oral/written communication and interpersonal, presentation, computer (word processing, internet, email, database) and organizational skills. Ability to work flexible hours including some evening and weekend hours, consistent with student and program needs. Required 1 late shift during the week to ensure evening coverage at the Grayslake campus. Proven ability to work effectively and constructively with persons of diverse cultures, language groups, and abilities; demonstrate sensitivity to and ability to work with the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff, including those with disabilities; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Must have reliable transportation to visit CLC campuses, local high schools and community organizations.

Desired Qualification(s)

Master’s Degree in a related field. Experience working with community college, and under-represented students. Experience with caseload management. Demonstrated knowledge of, and prior experience with, predictive analytics and proactive student intervention. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Work Schedule

8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with one evening per week from 10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Pay

$52,878/year

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full time

Total Hours Per Week

40

Position Type

Staff

Job Family

Specialist

Posting Date

10/13/2026

Expected Start Date

11/09/2026

Compensation Grade

B32

Location

Grayslake Campus

Department

College & Career Navigation - B

Sub Department

EEO Statement: College of Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a policy of non-discrimination. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, age, sex, national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, ancestry, citizenship, parental status, pregnancy or any other status protected by law.

Additional Information

College of Lake County (CLC) is a comprehensive community college located in northeastern Illinois committed to being an innovative educational institution providing life-changing paths for our students by offering exceptional learning experiences. CLC aspires to be a place where every student succeeds, every employee thrives, so that every business achieves and every community grows. Our mission is to be innovative and value-driven in supporting student success through developing and encouraging employees of all backgrounds on their journey toward achieving personal and professional growth. CLC achieved a milestone in 2025 with its designation as a Leader College of Distinction. CLC is part of the Achieving the Dream (ATD) Network, made up of 300+ colleges committed to supporting student success at their institutions and promoting economic vitality throughout their communities. CLC has been a member of the ATD Network since 2019 and has held Leader College status since 2023.