MISSION: Rainier Scholars cultivates the academic potential and leadership skills of hard-working, low-income students of color. By creating access to transformative educational opportunities and providing comprehensive support to scholars and families, we increase college graduation rates and empower new generations of leaders.
ORGANIZATION: Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports determined students of color over an 11-year journey – from 6th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our four-phase program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined. By embracing our core values of Excellence, Perseverance, Integrity and Courage, our scholars propel themselves beyond what they and others ever deemed possible. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals, and community leaders. As a relatively young organization with a budget size of $3.4 million, a staff team of 28 FTE and over 600 scholars and families whom we currently serve, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate, and sustainable impact.
SUMMARY: The Career Programs Manager (CPM) oversees the career development program for scholars enrolled in college. The CPM sets the strategic vision for our career programs and collaborates with the Director of College Support and other members of the College Support team to implement the vision. The CPM plays a key role in our organization by helping students explore career options and preparing them to pursue employment or further education following college graduation. This position works with staff across Rainier Scholars in fostering student awareness and exploration of varied career opportunities and pathways. The CPM supports the placement of college-aged interns in private, public and nonprofit sectors throughout the greater Seattle community for meaningful summer and school-year internship opportunities. The CPM also coordinates all aspects of the professional networking and mentorship experience for scholars in the College Support phase of the program. The CPM manages a small caseload of college students at all grade levels, providing academic, social-emotional, and career support.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Career Guidance
Provide career development and job search counseling to College Support scholars, with a special emphasis on graduating seniors.
Disseminate information to students regarding career fields, employment opportunities and graduate school information.
Help college students to develop a post-graduation career plan that includes but is not limited to: resume review, mock interviews, application assistance, graduate program information and review of job offers.
Guide students in developing their professional networks and cultivating mentor relationships.
Develop and facilitate career development workshops for our college students.
Work with the Corporate Giving Development Officer and other RS staff to strategically plan for increased corporate engagement and support for the organization.
Internships
Partner with the College Support Internship Coordinator to manage our internship program, which offers summer and school-year opportunities in a variety of professional settings for college students.
Establish new partnerships and foster existing relationships with public, private and nonprofit entities to support college student placement into internships in areas of career interests.
Build relationships with college/university administrators, corporate recruiters, and current/prospective internship providers.
Work with the Internship Coordinator to plan and present workshops to interns in order to help them be more effective in their internship placements.
Organization/Team Support
Participate as a member of the College Support team to assist our students in successfully navigating the college experience.
Maintain a caseload of 10-15 college students, working individually with each student to provide academic, social-emotional and career support and resources.
Prepare regular reports on the progress of each scholar.
Assess and evaluate programs for effectiveness, using data to inform decision-making and report key outcomes.
Work across phases to help actualize aspects of our strategic plan that are related to the development of Career Pathways for scholars, and to build articulation points between exploratory opportunities in key career areas such as STEM.
The successful candidate will be able to:
Demonstrate strong understanding of business/corporate sector and public/non-profit sector employment/internship requirements. The successful applicant will also have knowledge of labor markets and job trends, post-college graduation opportunities, and graduate school resources and programs.
Prioritize projects effectively, take initiative, demonstrate resourcefulness, and respond flexibly to changing work demands.
Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills, and attention to detail.
Show exceptional judgment and integrity, including maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.
Demonstrate a professional presence, strong interpersonal skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills (including public speaking).
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
Effective counseling and advising skills, and experience developing and presenting workshops.
Experience navigating comfortably in the corporate/business world as well as with public/non-profit partners.
Demonstrated ability in internship, networking and career placement planning.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships with business, nonprofit, and community leaders.
Experience working effectively with diverse populations of college students and their families.
DESIRED:
Master’s degree is desired.
3-5 years experience in career planning and employment services, including direct career counseling.
5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in non-profit, public, or business environments.
How to apply
Interested applicants should send cover letter, resume and list of references to: Rainier Scholars, Attn: Hiring, Career Program Manager, 2100 24th Ave. S., Suite 360, Seattle, WA 98144, Office: (206) 407-2118 / Fax: (206) 407-2112 / E-mail: apply@rainierscholars.org
Please specify in your cover letter how you learned of this position. Rainier Scholars is an equal opportunity employer. OPEN UNTIL FILLED