Career Coach (Workforce Career/Educational Outreach Specialist

Deep East Texas Local Workforce Development Board - Lufkin, TX

Full-time - Entry Level

Lufkin, TX

About the position

The Career Coach position is a vital role within the Deep East Texas Local Workforce, focusing on providing career guidance and preparation to students in grades 5-12. This position operates with minimal supervision and requires independent decision-making authority. The primary objective is to expose, educate, and engage students in career development and decision-making processes, particularly in relation to local in-demand industry sectors and occupations. The Career Coach will work closely with various Independent School Districts (ISDs) and partner organizations to deliver comprehensive career information and resources to students, their parents or guardians, and district staff. In this role, the Career Coach will conduct initial orientations and ongoing training for school staff at participating schools, explaining the resources available and the Coach's role in facilitating career awareness. The position involves utilizing various Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) resources and tools, such as Texas Reality Check, Texas Career Check, and Texas Skills to Work, to provide students with information on training requirements and opportunities in high-demand sectors. The Career Coach will also organize job exploration activities, career fairs, and workshops to support students and their families in making informed post-secondary decisions. Additionally, the Career Coach will collaborate with school counselors, local employers, and educational institutions to build pathways into pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). This includes fostering partnerships that encourage local employers to offer internships and mentoring opportunities. The role requires the development of a multifaceted communication model to connect professional development services with students, ensuring accessibility through virtual and on-site office hours. The Career Coach will also engage with community stakeholders to align workforce solutions projects with local needs, ultimately enhancing the career readiness of students in the region.

Responsibilities

• Provide career guidance and preparation to students in grades 5-12.
• Conduct initial orientations and ongoing training for school staff at participating schools.
• Utilize TWC resources to provide information on in-demand industry sectors and training requirements.
• Engage and train district staff on using career tools and resources.
• Organize training workshops on TWC resources for employment and education.
• Expose individuals to various career pathways through presentations and job fairs.
• Organize job exploration and career fairs; provide career support workshops for students and parents.
• Provide classroom presentations on career information and resources to students and their families.
• Serve as a primary resource for labor market information for assigned ISDs and partners.
• Coordinate with local and state workforce services, employers, and educational institutions to build pathways into pre-apprenticeship and RAPs.
• Maximize availability to students through a published schedule of office hours.
• Develop a communication and support service model for connecting professional development services with students.
• Organize annual workshops with subject-matter experts and local business leaders to build partnerships.
• Engage school districts to establish partnerships with industry and training providers.
• Develop and maintain community partnerships with businesses and educational organizations.
• Foster collaboration between employers and ISDs to provide internship opportunities.
• Establish relationships with employers for classroom presentations and industry tours.
• Coordinate with TWC program personnel for resource planning and coordination.

Requirements

• Experience in career counseling or educational outreach.
• Strong knowledge of local in-demand industry sectors and occupations.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in organizing workshops and training sessions.
• Familiarity with Texas Workforce Commission resources and tools.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with students in grades 5-12.
• Knowledge of pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs).
• Familiarity with community colleges and technical training programs.
• Experience in building partnerships with local businesses and educational institutions.

Benefits

• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible working hours.
• Networking opportunities with local businesses and educational institutions.