Job Description
Posting Summary
Working Title
Career Navigator
Role Title
Education Support Spec III
Role Code
29144-SW
FLSA
Nonexempt
Pay Band
04
Position Number
299W0702
Agency
Mountain Empire Community College
Division
Mountain Empire Community College (Div)
Work Location
Wise - 195
Hiring Range
$21.25 per hour
Emergency/Essential Personnel
No
EEO Category
5-Paraprofessionals
Full Time or Part Time
Part Time
Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs-
Yes
Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference?
No
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday, up to 29 hours per week during the business hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Some weekend or evening hours may be required during an event. All other hours are required to be on site at the assigned high schools.
Sensitive Position
Yes
Job Description
Mountain Empire Community CollegeMountain Empire Community College is a comprehensive two-year college serving residents of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson counties, and the City of Norton. MECC is one of twenty-three colleges in the Virginia Community College System and operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Local Advisory Board. The College is financed primarily with state funds, supplemented by contributions from the local jurisdictions.
Mountain Empire Community College participates in the Navigator program, which is an effective strategy to connect high school students with educational and career opportunities. The purpose of the High School-to-Career Navigator Program is to empower high school students to make informed decisions about their career and educational plans and to prepare students for success in post-secondary education and workforce training.
The work locations for this position include the following high schools: Twin Springs, Rye Cove, J. I. Burton, and others as needed.. A small fuel stipend is provided to offset the commute. Commute to your first work location from home and to your home from the last work location is not considered compensable time but is considered commuting to and from your work location.
This position is designated as a restricted position in accordance with Department of Human Resource Management ( DHRM) Policy 2.20. A restricted position is one that is funded, in whole or in part (minimum of 10%), by non-continuous or non-recurring funding sources such as grants, contracts, donations, auxiliary revenues, or other time-limited funding streams.
As a result, the continued availability of this position is dependent upon the continuation of the identified funding source(s). Should such funding be reduced, modified, or discontinued, the position and therefore employment in this role may be subject to change or elimination in accordance with applicable state and institutional policies.
Employees serving in restricted positions are generally afforded the same terms and conditions of employment as other classified employees; however, certain provisions such as layoff sequencing and eligibility for placement rights or severance benefits may differ based on the nature and continuity of funding.
By accepting or continuing in this position, the employee acknowledges and understands the restricted status of the role and the potential implications associated with its funding source.
Special Assignments
May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
KSA's/Required Qualifications
Knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to be successful in the position:
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Thorough understanding of and experience working with high school-aged students.
- Proven ability to assist students with academic planning and career pathways.
- A thorough understanding of diversity in student populations, who have experienced race, ethnic, economic, and age challenges, and the ability to connect with, include, and consider all student populations in advising.
- Social intelligence competency or the ability to work with others in the college toward a shared goal, participating actively, sharing responsibility and rewards, and contributing to the capability of the team, utilizing the strength of an internal network for student success.
- Knowledge of barriers to educational success and a desire to help others reach their educational goals.
- Strong motivational skills.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in using electronic systems for communication, records management, database entry and retrieval, and general organizational functions.
Minimum required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in counseling, human services, social sciences, business, or applicable field.
- Valid Driver’s License.
- Ability to travel throughout the service region, including some nights and weekends.
- Experience in customer service initiatives or positions and commitment to the delivery of excellent customer service.
Additional Considerations
- Experience in academic advising; community college/higher education experience; and master’s degree in a related field.
-
VCCS Career Coach Certification.
- Experience performing recruiting activities and events at the community college level and assisting with marketing efforts.
- Demonstrated proficiency with a student information system.
Operation of a State Vehicle
Yes
Supervises Employees
No
Required Travel
Local, service region travel is required daily.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
WGE_3208P
Recruitment Type
General Public - G
Number of Vacancies
1
Position End Date (if temporary)
Job Open Date
07/21/2026
Job Close Date
07/26/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Agency Website
www.mecc.edu
Contact Name
Angie Lester
Email
alester@mecc.edu
Phone Number
276-523-2400
Special Instructions to Applicants
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their
AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (
DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (
DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the
AHP if they also provide an
AHP Letter. To request an
AHP Letter, use this link:
https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call
DARS at 800-552-5019, or
DBVI at 800-622-2155
Additional Information
Background Check Statement Disclaimer
The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/
EEO Statement
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.
ADA Statement
The Virginia Community College System ( VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts ( ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.
E-Verify Statement
VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.
Quicklink for Posting
https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/96764
