Job Description
Posting Summary
Working Title
FastForward/G3 Career Coach (Restricted)
Role Title
Education Support Specialist III
Role Code
29144-SW
FLSA
Exempt
Pay Band
4
Position Number
275R0079
Agency
New River Community College
Division
New River Community College (Div)
Work Location
Pulaski - 155
Hiring Range
$55,000 (Pay Band 4)
Emergency/Essential Personnel
No
EEO Category
5-Paraprofessionals
Full Time or Part Time
Full Time
Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs-
No
Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference?
No
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday
Sensitive Position
No
Job Description
New River Community College ( NRCC) is a comprehensive community college located in the New River Valley of Virginia. At NRCC you can prepare for the future with any of our various occupational programs or college transfer courses. NRCC faculty members are well known not just for their academic background, but also for their capacity to work closely and effectively with students. You’ll find that they have a genuine interest in your success. They also have excellent academic credentials. All faculty who teach college transfer courses have doctorates or master’s degrees, while those in occupational programs have a diverse background which combines academics with practical on-the-job experience. In recent years individual professors and college programs have received state and national awards for their quality.
NRCC is seeking a student-focused, connection building individual to serve as the FastForward/G3 Career Coach. Reporting to the Coordinator for Admissions and Advising Services, the FastForward/G3 Career Coach will assist students enrolled in non-credit, short-term programs in making the transition from workforce training to successful employment, providing a variety of career planning services. This career coach will also assist students enrolling in credit-bearing programs that qualify for the state’s G3 funding. The FastForward/G3 Career Coach will assist students in overcoming barriers to their success by connecting them to supportive services in the region. The career coach will work closely with students during and after their training and credentialing programs to provide support throughout the program and into the workforce.
The FastForward/G3 Career Coach will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of specific needs of underserved populations and acommitment to helping these individuals attain educational success. The work of the FastForward/G3 Career Coach will be proactive and designed to assist students in achieving career success. This includes communicating regularly with students, maintaining records of student outreach and other interactions and making connections to available college and community support services. The FastForward/G3 Career Coach will utilize available technological resources in addition to in-person interactions to connect with students and program graduates. The ability to utilize such resources and the willingness to work in different environments is essential. The successful candidate must be caring, organized, communicative, and flexible.
Reporting to the Coordinator for Admissions and Advising Services, the FastForward/G3 Career Coach’s primary role will be to 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 to students completing workforce training and credentialing.
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, including 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/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, including maintaining a physical presence in the locations of both departments
- Perform other duties as assigned
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 of barriers to educational success and a desire to help others reach their educational goals utilizing evidence-based solutions
- Strong interpersonal skills to help engage, provide support to, 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 and work 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, and adhering to required deadlines meeting work priorities and objectives
- Proficiency in use of technology, such as 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 relevant educational technologies
- Knowledge of available financial aid and scholarship information
Operation of a State Vehicle
No
Supervises Employees
No
Required Travel
Ocassionally
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
CLS_4589P
Recruitment Type
General Public - G
Number of Vacancies
1
Position End Date (if temporary)
06/30/2026
Job Open Date
07/16/2026
Job Close Date
07/31/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Agency Website
https://www.nr.edu/jobs/
Contact Name
Stacie Whitlock
Email
swhitlock@nr.edu
Phone Number
540-674-3635
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
Note: This is a two-year grant funded position which will end on May 31, 2028
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/98455
