FastForward/G3 Career Coach (Restricted)

Suns News; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Suns News is seeking a FastForward/G3 Career Coach to assist students in transitioning from workforce training to employment. The role involves coaching, case management, and connecting students to tutoring and financial aid, including G3 funding, Title IV aid, and scholarships.

The two-year grant-funded position reports to the Admissions and Advising Services Coordinator and requires collaboration across Workforce Development and Student Services to support credential attainment and job

Qualifications

• Knowledge of barriers to educational success and helping others with evidence-based solutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage, support, and motivate students.
• Excellent customer-service skills with follow-up and follow-through.
• Ability to communicate with racially, ethnically, economically, and age-diverse individuals and groups.
• Experience with career-exploration programs and personalized career guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to prioritize and manage tasks in a fast-paced environment with deadlines.
• Proficiency in Office 365, student information systems, and Google Workspace.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to learn through professional development.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student records.

Responsibilities

• Assist students in transitioning to employment from FastForward programs.
• Serve as a liaison between Workforce Development and Student Services.
• Discuss goals and pathways including credentials and degrees.
• Use case-management to document interactions and progress.
• Meet students individually or in groups for career-planning advice.
• Connect students to tutoring, financial aid resources, including G3 funding.
• Conduct follow-up studies after students enter the workplace.
• Utilize technology to connect with students.
• Contribute to Workforce Development and Student Services teams at both locations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Provide career-coaching for FastForward/G3 and credit-bearing students toward credential attainment and job placement.

Skills

Barrier awareness

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Diversity understanding

Career guidance

Written & verbal comms

Time management

Tech proficiency

Teamwork

Growth mindset

Confidentiality

Education

Tools

PeopleSoft

CRM systems

Career-service platforms

Educational tech

Job description

FastForward/G3 Career Coach (Restricted)

Reporting to the Coordinator for Admissions and Advising Services, the FastForward/G3 Career Coach will assist students enrolled in short‑term, non‑credit FastForward programs and credit‑bearing programs that qualify for G3 funding in transitioning from workforce training to successful employment. The coach will help students overcome barriers to success by connecting them to supportive services in the region and maintaining regular communication throughout training and credentialing programs.

Note: This is a two‑year grant funded position which will end on May 31, 2028.

Responsibilities

• Assist students enrolled in FastForward (short‑term, non‑credit) programs in preparing for successful transitions to employment.
• Serve as a liaison between the college’s Workforce Development department and Student Services staff, keeping the latter informed about policies and practices relevant to FastForward programs.
• Discuss career and educational goals and available pathways with students, including short‑term workforce credential opportunities and traditional academic degree programs.
• Utilize a case‑management model to work with FastForward students in preparing for success in the workplace, including documenting interactions.
• Meet with students individually and in group or classroom settings (including evening classes) to provide career‑planning advice.
• Connect students enrolling in college credit programs to tutoring and other academic supports as needed, as well as to financial aid resources—including Virginia’s G3 funding, Federal Title IV student aid funding, and scholarship opportunities through the college’s foundation.
• Conduct follow‑up studies of student experiences after they have entered the workplace.
• Utilize technology and other resources to connect with students.
• Contribute to the success of the Workforce Development and Student Services teams, maintaining a physical presence in the locations of both departments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Provide career‑coaching support for both FastForward/G3 and credit‑bearing program students to ensure completion of program and credential attainment, in addition to job‑placement and retention assistance for students completing workforce training and credentialing.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of barriers to educational success and a desire to help others reach their educational goals using evidence‑based solutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills to help engage, support, and motivate students.
• Excellent customer‑service skills, including the ability to effectively follow up and follow through.
• Understanding of the needs of individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including the ability to communicate with racially, ethnically, economically, and age‑diverse individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated knowledge of career‑exploration programs and experience providing personalized advice on career and postsecondary options.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage tasks while working in a demanding, fast‑paced environment with changing priorities, meeting required deadlines and work priorities.
• Proficiency in technology—including Office 365, student information systems, and Google Workspace.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Desire to learn and grow by participating in professional development opportunities.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with student records.

Additional Considerations

• Work experience in a higher education setting, academic/career coaching, or academic advising.
• Demonstrated knowledge of PeopleSoft, customer‑management systems, career‑service platforms, or similar educational technologies.
• Knowledge of available financial‑aid and scholarship information.

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.