Student Navigator

Job Summary

The Student Navigator at New River CTC role involves guiding students toward academic success. Reporting to the Director of Student Services, responsibilities include coordinating programs for academic support especially for high-risk students.

Nature of Work

• Guidance and Advising: Providing personalized guidance to students, including first-generation students and in high-risk or underserved populations, on academic paths and assisting them in making informed decisions about their educational journey.
• Works one-on-one with high-risk students to resolve financial aid appeals and to promote reentry and retention in educational programs.
• Takes referrals from faculty through the early alert software and follows up with the individual students to help solve academic issues and/or make referrals for other support as needed.
• Ensure that all new students complete all required submissions for their application packet.
• Research best practices for projects that are designed to assist first generation students and high-risk/underserved students and move selected projects to implementation.
• Responsible for career services to include subject matter expert for Handshake, an online career management platform; coordinating and scheduling mock interview workshops, resume writing, career fairs/job fairs, etc.; Tutoring Services, New Student Orientation (NSO) and Online New Student Orientation platform; Student Activities to include Student Government Association (SGA), Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society; as well as assisting with student organizations.
• Supporting Accessibility Services: Collaborating with the accessibility services office to ensure first-generation students, along with other students, have the necessary support and accommodations to thrive academically.
• Other duties as assigned.

Professional Development

• Compliance training is to be completed routinely and in a timely manner.
• Participate in additional professional development opportunities through LinkedIn Learning and professional organization affiliations.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills/Abilities
• Ability to identify and resolve problems/conflicts.
• Strong organizational skills. Understanding of higher education environments, including academic and career advising frameworks, student services operations, and the challenges faced by diverse student populations including first-generation and students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of principles and best practices in the development, implementation, and assessment of programs aimed at promoting student success.
• Awareness of data collection, analysis, and assessment tools necessary for evaluating the effectiveness of student programs and making informed improvements.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to build relationships, convey accurate information clearly, and collaborate with a range of stakeholders.
• Skilled in providing personal guidance and support to students, tailoring advice to individual needs and fostering their academic growth.
• Ability to work effectively in a team, coordinate with various departments and external organizations, and lead initiatives that enhance student services and opportunities.
• Capacity to adapt to changing educational landscapes, innovate student support services, and respond effectively to the evolving needs of the student population.
• Ability to advocate for student needs, ensuring that institutional policies and practices are responsive to their success and well-being.
• Case Management skills/experience.

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Education, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field that provides a foundation in understanding student, learning, development and career counseling. - Required

Experience

In addition to the knowledge/education, the following related work experience is typically required, for this position.  An equivalent combination of education and recent, related experience may be acceptable. - Required

2 years - Student Counseling or Advising in an academic environment - Required.

License or Certification

Valid Driver's License - Required

Expectations

Employees are expected to adhere to the Mission, Values and Vision of the College.  Each employee's position has attributes that contribute to the achievement of these goals.

Mission
New River Community and Technical College provides accessible, affordable, quality education and workforce programs to meet the needs of the region it serves.

Values
Shared values guide New River Community and Technical College in fulfilling its mission. These values influence thoughts, guide decisions, mold policies, and determine courses of action. Our employees are expected to support and enact these values in our daily work.
Community
▪Commit to the well-being of others.
▪Model behavior that promotes unity.
▪Demonstrate commitment to the College's mission.
▪Promote a caring and supportive environment.
▪Support continuous personal and professional growth.

Integrity
▪Practice fairness and honesty.
▪Uphold ethical, professional, academic, and financial standards.
▪Ensure transparency.
▪Be accountable.

Justice
▪Respect the freedom and dignity of each individual.
▪Respect and promote diversity.
▪Promote positive attitudes toward each other.
▪Provide equal opportunity for success.
▪Prepare students and employees to work in a global and diverse environment.

Service
▪Provide service to each other and to the community.
▪Be a responsive member of the community.

Scholarship
▪Pursue truth, learning and quality scholarship.
▪Commit to increasing the knowledge of all individuals associated with the College.
▪Foster lifelong learning.
▪Maintain high standards in our constant pursuit of excellence.

Vision
New River Community and Technical College improves students’ lives and enriches communities.

Disclaimer

This description does not state or imply that the duties listed are the only duties to be performed by the position incumbent. Justification for the information provided in the job description may be requested. Employees are required to follow job-related instructions and perform other job-related activities assigned by their supervisor.

All requirements are subject to possible modification in order to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves, students, other employees, or the general public.