Scholar Advocate - Coaching & Enrollment

Description

Great Jobs KC is a 501©(3) college scholarship and tuition‑free job training program that supports low‑ and modest‑income students in a six‑county region.

It provides scholarships and tuition assistance for high‑school freshmen, juniors, and adult learners, and prepares adults for careers in construction, healthcare, IT, logistics, manufacturing and service industries.

Great Jobs KC supports Scholars through college or job training and into their first year of employment.

ABOUT GREAT JOBS KC

Great Jobs KC ( is a community‑based organization dedicated to increasing college completion rates and securing family‑sustaining careers.

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Reports to: Great Jobs KC Program Managers
• Hybrid (technology provided)
• Status: Exempt, Full‑time

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, life insurance, PTO, holidays, leave program, 401(k) with employer contribution, and others.

Operating hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM CST

This role requires 80% of hours worked between 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday‑Friday and 20% of hours outside of standard operating hours.

• Key Performance Indicators
• Ensure that 70% of individuals entering the pipeline continue as Scholars.
• Achieve 80% satisfaction scores on GJKC administered surveys.
• Ensure 80% of Scholars start a training program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Coaching & Skills Enrollment Scholars’ Advocate will be a proven, efficient, high‑functioning professional with previous successful experience supporting young adults and systems.

This role is heavily process‑oriented and requires attention to detail.

The Scholars’ Advocate supports all aspects of Great Jobs KC, including high‑level communication, inquiry response, ongoing planning and advisement support, administrative tracking, and drives progress toward program benchmarks.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Customer Service
• Work 1:1 with skills‑focused Scholars to support personalized short‑term career pathways and placement journey.
• Maintain an open schedule to accommodate scheduling needs for Scholars, primarily for coaching calls, career navigation calls and training program check‑ins.
• Complete occasional in‑person site visits with training partners and respective Scholars.
• Maintain consistent and ongoing professional communication with actively enrolled Scholars through phone calls, text messages, virtual meetings and emails.
• Advising & Coaching
• Support Scholars in identifying strengths and how they align with career opportunities.
• Administer career exploration tools and/or readiness assessments to prepare for training enrollment.
• Monitor training progress reports and make updates accordingly.
• Coach Scholars through identified roadblocks or gaps that prevent them from persisting and completing programs and propose action steps.
• Caseload Management
• Effectively manage a high caseload of active Great Jobs KC Scholars.
• Organize and keep caseload data up to date (notes, files, program information).
• Maintain Scholar data and record keeping in Salesforce consistently.
• Miscellaneous
• Engage in professional development to develop strategic thinking related to Scholar success.
• Maintain and follow written policies and institutional documents that describe processes related to supporting Scholars.
• Assist with planning and delivery of required short‑term career program orientations and planning education/workshops.
• Communicate Scholar success stories for newsletters, program communications and trainings.
• Attend required meetings and events as a representative of Great Jobs KC to external stakeholders.
• Other related activities and duties as assigned.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Relevant certification or technical training required. An undergraduate degree in a relevant field is highly desired but not required.

• Work Experience
• A minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience serving individuals from diverse and low‑income backgrounds, with knowledge of strategies for persistence and completion.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, goal‑oriented environment with the ability to set and meet clear deadlines.
• Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies
• Commitment to and belief in the mission of Great Jobs KC.
• Quick learner; solid understanding of program content, processes, deliverables and objectives.
• Personal values system encompassing honesty, confidentiality, integrity, loyalty, and professional ethics.
• Passion for increasing workforce preparedness among first‑generation college and low‑income or under‑represented students.
• Desire for feedback and ability to use it to drive quality.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi‑task and meet multiple deadlines.
• Keen sense of responsibility, poise, independent thinking, confidentiality and customer‑service orientation.
• Tactful and diplomatic with good listening skills and an approachable personality.
• Self‑directed, initiator, anticipates demands, and problem‑solves.
• Accountability for enacting and following processes to ensure work is accurate.
• Maintains calm demeanor in uncomfortable or demanding situations.
• Successfully works with shifting priorities and constant change in an ambiguous environment.
• Cultural competency.
• Proven collaborative experience with other organizations and team members to achieve program goals.
• Passion for increasing access to certifications and career placement among under‑represented youth.
• Working knowledge of industry‑specific opportunities, certifications and requirements in healthcare, IT, construction, and manufacturing.
• Ability to work under competing deadlines and demands.
• Proactive, big‑picture perspective.
• Exceptional judgment, solution orientation and actionability.
• Strong organizational and process skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi‑task in a scaling organization.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication; ability to work with diverse, multi‑generational audiences.
• Data analysis ability to recognize and articulate trends.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Power Point, Excel).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 15 lbs.
• Ability to work in an office and remote environment.
• Ability to travel to work and occasionally to regional sites as the organization grows.
• Ability to work 20% of the workday outside traditional office hours each week.
• Ability to interact with others via technology, face‑to‑face and in virtual settings via webcam.

Great Jobs KC firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal, state, or local law.

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