Part-Time Pathfinder

Virginia Highlands Community College (
VHCC) is located in historic Abingdon, VA and proudly serves the residents of Washington County, western Smyth County, and the city of Bristol, VA. The College offers comprehensive instruction to more than 3,000 students annually, awarding associate degrees, certificates, career studies certificates, and workforce credentials. VHCC enjoys a strong relationship with local school systems in the region and is currently seeking to hire part-time employees to support young students within those schools. Specifically, the fundamental purposes of the VHCC Pathfinder position are to empower middle school students to make informed decisions about their career and educational plans and to prepare students for success in secondary and post-secondary education and training. This position will work directly within the middle schools and will assist students in defining education and career aspirations and recognizing secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities that will lead to meaningful employment opportunities
This is not a remote position; it is a part-time role with restrictions.
Position Responsibilities:

• Hold office hours at an assigned middle school in the area;
• Meet with middle school students in an academic advising/career coaching capacity;
• Maintain student records and meet accountability standards for the middle school and VHCC;
• Develop and market activities aimed at informing students, families, and staff members about services provided by the Pathfinder;
• Collaborate with principals and counselors to identify appropriate opportunities for communication to increase awareness of Pathfinders in the middle school;
• Build relationships with key stakeholders to provide a supportive environment for career development;
• Represent VHCC at EO Hub events when respective middle school is present;
• Facilitate transitional hand-off to high school Navigators through activities, meetings, and high school visits;
• Facilitate field trip for 8th grade students to VHCC in spring semester of each year;
• Provide career exploration services through career assessments, group activities, and individual activities/coaching to help align knowledge, skills, and abilities with personal interests to identify career opportunities.
• Assist students in creating, reviewing, and revising academic and career pathways to serve as the basis for further career exploration and for planning high school and post-secondary career development opportunities;
• Design and implement activities focused on setting goals for career, school, and life
• Introduce students and families to post-secondary educational planning utilizing a variety of resources such as the Virginia Wizard;
• Assist students with developing their field of interest, steps necessary for pursuing post-secondary education and activities that increase students’ readiness for post-secondary education;
• Introduce students to the concept of Dual Enrollment courses while in high school, to include the 1-1-2 plan;
• Provide a week-long summer day-camp, held on the VHCC campus, for all interested students in coordination with other Pathfinders;
• Assist students in developing and demonstrating workplace skills including collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and responsible citizenship;
• Establish regular follow-up meetings with middle school students to assess effectiveness of actions taken and the need for revisions.

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.

• Associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution;
• Valid driver’s license;
• Expressed ability and willingness to travel to area high schools and to the VHCC campus (must state in cover letter);
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with others (must indicate in resume);
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills (must indicate in resume);
• Demonstrated understanding of and belief in the mission of Virginia Highlands Community College (must state in the cover letter).

• Experience in career development and/or advisement;
• Experience working with K-8 students;
• Experience working in a community college setting.

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/

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.