Coordinator of Student Advising - CEDAR Navigator-2

Community-College-of-Vermon; Winooski (VT); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Community College of Vermont (CCV) is seeking a CEDAR Navigator to support incarcerated Vermonters and staff through admissions, registration, and degree planning. The role involves coordinating with CCV, the Department of Corrections, and Vermont State University to bridge incarceration and community-based education and employment opportunities.

The Navigator will provide real-time advising, support re-entry planning, and help students pursue credential completion, transfer, and job-search

Qualifications

• Master's degree required.
• 3–5 years in education, student services, counseling, corrections, or related field.
• Direct experience with Vermont’s Correction system valued.
• Willingness to travel and flexible hours; valid driver’s license.
• Experience with re-entry, workforce development, or cross-institutional pathways preferred.
• Knowledge of higher education policies and student development theory.

Responsibilities

• Provide advising to incarcerated Vermonters and staff across CCV, VDOC, and VTSU.
• Assist students through admissions, course registration, and degree audits.
• Support transfer pathways and continuation toward credential completion.
• Coordinate with employers and community partners to align education with job opportunities.
• Deliver proactive interventions to improve student retention and success.
• Navigate cross-institutional systems to support enrollment and success.

Skills

Mastery of advising

Excellent communication

Collaborative work style

Strong organizational skills

Technology proficiency

Education

Master's degree

Job description

The Corrections Education, Development, and Re-entry (CEDAR) Center is an externally funded program working to provide educational opportunities to incarcerated Vermonters and the staff at the Department of Corrections. The CEDAR Center delivers high-quality education that empowers incarcerated learners to build meaningful careers, strengthen their wellbeing, and improve their quality of life in custody and beyond.In partnership with VDOC, CCV delivers post-secondary education to incarcerated Vermonters - providing personalized academic, advising, and career support.CEDAR Navigators provide advising services to special populations and are responsible for ensuring students make consistent progression toward achieving their educational goals. They work closely with students from admissions through graduation to provide the guidance and support students need to persist and achieve their goals. They ensure their program reaches their enrollment targets by developing and maintaining strong relationships and partnerships with CEDAR administration, Department of Corrections (VDOC) officials, social services agencies, and all students affiliated with Vermont’s correction system. They participate in the design and implementation of enhanced advising practices and curriculum to improve retention and student success. This is a 3-year, grant funded position.Job SummaryCEDAR Navigators support students through the full arc of their educational and re-entry journey, including post-release transition, workforce preparation, and continued enrollment in postsecondary education. This includes advising students into- and registering them for courses at Vermont State University (VTSU), supporting transfer and continuation pathways, and coordinating services that bridge incarceration and community-based education and employment. Navigators must understand the policies, procedures, and programming at three separate institutions: CCV, VDOC, and VTSU.Serve as an integral member of the academic center’s team focusing on student recruitment and advising from admissions through graduation or the completion of their credentialHelp students acclimate to the policies, expectations, and culture of higher educationAssist students with exploration of career pathways that align with their life goals, interests, and strengths, referring students to financial aid, career counseling, and Learning Centers as appropriateHelp students select course schedules, develop education plans, conduct degree audits, and track their progress toward degree/credential completion and successfully prepare for job searches and/or transferWork closely with coordinators of teaching and learning to ensure the students’ needs are met by annual course schedulesCheck in with students at key decision points along their paths and maintain consistent interaction with students via face-to-face, phone, text, and email communicationsProvide real-time interventions and use proactive advising tools to support student retentionWork with faculty and coordinators of teaching and learning to identify barriers to learning and persistence and recommend approaches to overcome barriers to enhance student successDevelop and maintain strong strategic relationships and partnerships with CEDAR administration, Department of Corrections officials, social services agencies, and all students affiliated with Vermont’s correction systemParticipate in professional development activities to enhance effectiveness of student advising at CCVProvide advising to incarcerated Vermonters, the staff at the Department of Corrections and other services to special populations (e.g. TRIO, ADA, veterans)Provide front line intervention and faculty support in situations that require immediate or special action or observationSupport students in re-entry planning, including post-release educational continuation, employment readiness, and connection to community-based resourcesAdvise and register students into courses at Vermont State University and support transfer, dual enrollment, and continuation pathwaysCoordinate with employers, workforce partners, and community organizations to align educational pathways with job opportunities for justice-involved studentsProvide ongoing advising and support to students post-release to ensure persistence in higher education and/or employment pathwaysNavigate cross-institutional systems, policies, and procedures to support student enrollment and success beyond CCVOther duties as may be assignedSupervisory Responsibility: NoneMinimum qualifications (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)Education: Master's degreeExperience: 3 -5 years professional experience in the education, student services, counseling, corrections, or a related professional field. Direct experience with Vermont’s Correction system highly valued.Travel and flexibility in work hours required. Must have valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation.Experience supporting re-entry, workforce development, or cross-institutional higher education pathways preferred.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Ability to work in and foster a highly collaborative and student-centered environmentExpert communication skills, with excellent interpersonal and discretionary communication skills and a commitment to working effectively and cooperatively with diverse constituentsEffective listening and analytical skills to assess needs and develop successful solutions to complex problemsKnowledge of higher education policies and procedures, including familiarity with student development theoryDemonstrated skill in planning and prioritizing work activities, attending to details, managing multiple projects, and meeting deadlinesStrong technological proficiencyAbility to work under conditions of high volume during peak periodsDemonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic background of college staff, faculty and studentsPrior experience with justice-impacted people preferred.Physical Requirements: Duties performed causes light fatigue of eyes, fingers, or other faculties as a result of repetitive motion and/or long periods of standing or sitting. Duties require little physical effort in work with light to moderate (up to 25lbs) easy-to-handle materials.Working Conditions: Job is generally performed in general office or comparable working area with many and frequent distractions such as noise and interruptions. Frequent visits to spaces within correctional institutions across the state will be necessary. Work schedule may vary during high volume periods.In-state travel approximately 2 days per week and a hybrid (home and office) work schedule available.Scheduled Hours Weekly:40Budgeted Wage for this Position:This position is budged as $58,969.56Exempt Status:ExemptGrade:G14Job Posting Responsibilities:Unit Determination:Non Bargaining - Administrators