CFHS College and Career Coordinator

Qualifications:  Successful candidate must possess one or more of the following credentials:  Teaching Degree, Administration, Social Work (BSW), (MSSW), (LCSW), or a degree(s) determined to be appropriate by the School District.

Application Process:

An application is considered complete when all of the items listed below are received on or before the closing date.  Only complete applications are eligible for screening.  You will have an opportunity to upload all required documents during the application process.

1.  A letter of application.

2.  Professional resume which includes academic preparation, experience and other specifically related qualifications.

3.  Copies of transcripts for all college or university credits completed to date. (An official transcript will be required if you are successful in securing the position, including those credits you would like to have considered for salary placement.)

4.  Four letters of recommendation (within the past three years), or college placement file if available, current, and complete.

5.  Written Statement - In your own handwriting, please indicate specific reason(s) for wanting this position in Columbia Falls, and the attributes you believe especially qualify you and/or which mark your professional development for this position.

6.  Copy of your current Montana teaching certificate/license, or evidence of ability to secure Montana teaching certification/licensure.  For questions regarding the certification process, please contact the licensure department at the Montana Office of Public Instruction at (406)444-3150 (only applicable to licensed staff.

Job Description

Reports to: Building Principal

Purpose: The College and Career Coordinator position is designed to provide both alternative and action driven academic, mental health and job/career/life skill development options for students with the aim of addressing truancy rates and decreasing to eliminating recidivism rates for high school students in the district. The program includes four components that will function together to provide greater outcomes for students. The components are Career and Technical, Academic Transition, Community Engagement and Restorative Justice.

Position Requirements that will be given priority in filling the College and Career Coordinator position:

• Teaching Degree, School Administration,Social Work (BSW), (MSW), (MSSW), (LCSW), or a Degree(s) determined to be appropriate by the School District.
• Previous successful experience working with students in the school setting.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong sense of empathy, discretion and professionalism.
• Experience in designing and implementing successful collaborations between school, family, community, post secondary institutions and agencies providing resources to assist at-risk students and their families.
• Working knowledge of Demographic, Social - Emotional and School Based risk factors and their relationship to the success and/or failure of at-risk students.
• Working knowledge of successful student interventions that focus on research based protective factors that increase resilience in at-risk students.
• Working knowledge of elements related to post secondary exploration, application and enrollment.

Duties Overview:

• Partner with school administrators, school staff, families, public agencies, employers and post secondary institutions to develop and implement plans that provide specialized support for selected students throughout the school year.
• Establish college and career action plans for all freshmen, sophomores and priority at-risk students.
• Develop and coordinate an effective program of delivery for ACT preparation for freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
• Design, implement and evaluate a procedure for prioritizing student eligibility for intervention services (Prioritized List).
• Meet individually with students to identify areas of academic strength and need. Facilitate the creation of individual Success Plans (Academic and Career) to assist them in achieving their desired outcomes.
• Provide specific assistance mentoring and connecting students to other institutions, organizations, and services that will help direct their attention to desired academic goals.
• Assist the Student and Family Advocate, counselors and administration in the development and implementation of individual plans for Tier 2 and 3 students at-risk of dropping out of school.
• In cooperation with faculty, counselors and administration provide flexible/opportunity to deliver credit recovery, independent study, elective and core-area credit as needed to assist students to complete required graduation requirements.
• Develop protocol for documenting and reporting services provided to students as stipulated by the Preventive Incentive Funds agreement.
• Provide guidance, resources and leadership to help the school community integrate job readiness and career-preparation skills for all students.
• Establish, coordinate and monitor student internship, job shadow and work-study programs.
• Work with administrators and counselors to develop possible alternative education options for students with the purpose of continued enrollment and the opportunity to develop career ready skills necessary for employment.
• Refer students for intervention services as appropriate.
• Keep comprehensive records regarding student intervention services referrals, always following school referral protocol.
• Through one-on-one, classroom and school-wide sessions, home visitation and other appropriate opportunities, address issues relevant to at-risk student populations. Issues including but not limited to school attendance, substance abuse, behavior, teen pregnancy and adjustment to the school’s social setting.
• Actively seek to create greater connection and collaboration with community leaders, businesses, families and the broader community of School District #6 for the purpose of developing supportive and sustainable career/job opportunities for students.
• Work with faculty, counselors and administration to develop meaningful career pathways related to each curricular area. Further develop ways to utilize those pathways to motivate and help students to focus on academic achievement and positive behavior/attendance.
• Provide regular program updates as required by the Columbia Falls High School Administration.
• Identify and report child abuse and neglect.
• Perform other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned by the school

Services to stakeholders   (including but not limited to the following)

Services to Students:

• Provide job skills, interview preparation and soft skills training.
• Serve as an additional resource in dealing with student classroom issues.
• Develop intervention strategies to increase student success.
• Establish college and career action plans.
• Provide assistance in preparation for college entrance exams (PSAT, ACT, SAT)
• Help students develop appropriate social interaction skills.
• Coordinate work based learning opportunities to promote workplace readiness.
• Facilitate opportunities to support  post-secondary education exploration, application and enrollment.
• Assist students in understanding and accepting self and others.

Services to Parents/Families:

• Work with parents/guardians to facilitate their support in their student’s transition from school to work/college.
• Assist parents in accessing programs available to all students and to those with special needs and/or at-risk of school failure.
• Provide support and relevant information to parents related to college/post secondary opportunities and enrollment processes.
• Assist parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.
• Support families and students during transitioning into and out of intervention programs.

Services to School Personnel:

• Provide staff with essential information as it applies to career pathways and job skills.
• Support school personnel in the implementation of student success plans.
• Develop staff in-service training programs.
• Assist teachers in the integration of career pathway awareness, job readiness skills and ACT preparation within their curriculum.
• Provide direct support to staff.
• Communicate with SRO (School Resource Officer). Student Family Advocate, counselors, special education instructors and administration about student caseload and specifics as appropriate.

School–community Liaison Services:

• Obtain and coordinate business and community resources to meet students’ needs.
• Advocate for new and improved community/school services to meet the needs of students and families.
• Assist in providing information about various post secondary opportunities for students and facilitate the connection between those institutions and students.
• Coordinate all service providers to effectively respond to each student’s needs.
• Establish effective communications with PO (Probation Officer) and other community Law Enforcement Agencies, as necessary, to best meet student needs.

Term of Employment:  187 days as established by the school calendar.

Salary:  To be determined when position is classified. Salary range should be consistent with the salary range for a certified teacher employed by School District #6.

Position Evaluation:  To be determined when position is classified.