Career Counselor & Retention Specialist

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Job Title:  

Career Counselor & Retention Specialist Part-time

Agency:

Columbus Technical College

Job Requisition ID:

JR0000007988

Shift:

Not Applicable (United States of America)

Compensation Details:

Job Description:

Columbus Technical College is seeking an individual to serve as a part-time Career Counselor & Retention Specialist.  This position advises and counsels students in choosing a career path and securing employment upon graduation; assists students with resume writing, conducting mock interviews, and job fairs. This position will also be responsible for coordinating and conducting focused academic advising and student support services to help students persist in their program of study. This position is part-time/non-exempt.

Responsibilities:

• Guides students in identifying potential career choices
• Ensures job search plan is completed according to program guidelines and is appropriate for student's occupational choice
• Refers students to the appropriate specialized staff for such issues as financial aid assistance, career advisement, admissions processes, business office questions
• Arranges and approves employer visits to campus for recruiting and/or interviewing students for job vacancies utilizing strength-based approach to assess work needs
• Arranges and supports the employer/student in participating in a situational assessment at the job site
• Demonstrates to students how to gather employment information from classified advertisements and the local Department of Labor Office
• Maintains up-to-date and accurate employer contact file to properly represent available
• Posts job opportunities in accordance with employment laws, rules and regulations
• Establishes, updates, and maintains student/employer files
• Conducts presentations in a professional manner
• Compiles materials appropriate for intended audience
• Participates in community services and activities in accordance with technical college guidelines
• Provides specific program information through newspaper, radio, television and/or other media advertisement
• Completes and distributes reports in an accurate and timely manner and in accordance with program guidelines and department procedures
• Serves as student advocate when appropriate
• Keeps abreast of changing institutional information including admissions requirements, new programs, course changes, deadlines, important dates, costs, expanding facilities, updates in college-wide initiatives, transfer requirements, and state and federal mandates
• Keeps abreast of workforce development laws and regulations and technical college policies and procedures
• Develops and maintains collaborative working relationships with the Office of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs department, faculty and staff to facilitate advisement, academic progress review, and implement innovative retention programs and services for new, at-risk and enrolled students.
• Provides information on targeted career and educational pathways.
• Coordinates and/or provides supportive services to support academic persistence and success.
• Monitors student attendance, performance, and academic progress.
• Coordinates services with relevant college departments and community agencies.
• Solicits student feedback and experience with career pathway programs.
• Coordinates, tracks, reports, and uses retention data research and analysis, using Banner, KMS and other resources, to identify obstacles to student achievement and retention.
• Designs, coordinates, and targets new intervention services, programs, and initiatives focused on student retention and development.
• Function as part of an early alert team to support college persistence and retention.
• Participates in opportunities to increase and share knowledge about the role of the student navigator to improve counseling resources, strategies, and college policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field *and* Two (2) years of related work experience in student advisement, career counseling, or community counseling services

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of work experience in school or community counseling
• Experience using BANNER software

Salary/Benefits:

Salary is commensurate with education/experience. No benefits.

Application Deadline:

Applications accepted until 11/19/2026. Applicants must submit a Columbus Technical College employment application online and upload a resume and copy of transcript(s) at time of application (Incomplete submissions will not be considered). **Please note: All references will be checked prior to employment offer. Post offer requirements will include a criminal background check and motor vehicle records check. **

Please note: If you are a current retiree of the State of Georgia Teachers Retirement System (TRS) or Employee’s Retirement System (ERS), you must contact your retirement system prior to working for Columbus Technical College and verify your eligibility to work and the work hour limitations. Failure to comply with the retirement system’s requirements may cause a delay or stoppage of your retirement pay.  Upon hire, you must notify Columbus Technical College Human Resources Department of your retirement status.

Employment Policy:
Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Columbus Technical College is an equal opportunity employer. All employment processes and decisions, including but not limited to hiring, promotion, and tenure shall be free of ideological tests, affirmations, and oaths, including diversity statements. The basis and determining factor for such decisions should be that the individual possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the role, and is believed to have the ability to successfully perform the essential functions, responsibilities, and duties associated with the position for which the person is being considered. At the core of any such decision is ensuring the institution’s ability to achieve its mission and strategic priorities in support of student success.

For nondiscrimination information, please contact:

• ADA/Title I, Title VI, Title VII and Title IX Coordinator for Employment – Jennifer Thompson - 706.649.1883 or [email protected]
• Title VI, Title VII and Title IX Coordinator for Students Felicia Harris – 706.641.5032 or [email protected]
• ADA/Title II & Section 504 Coordinator - Olive Vidal-Kendall – 706.649.1442 or [email protected]

All coordinators can also be reached at Columbus Technical College, 928 Manchester Expressway, Columbus, Georgia 31904-6572.

Minimum Qualifications:

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.
Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.