Job Summary:
The Career Advancement Instructor is a full-time instructional role that delivers high-quality workforce readiness and career development training through the Work Readiness Academy while also supporting assessment, curriculum improvement, and recruitment and outreach activities for adult learners. This position provides dynamic classroom, small group, and individualized instruction focused on employability skills, workplace communication, job search strategies, and career navigation, and collaborates with Adult Education staff to connect academic skill-building with career pathways. The instructor helps administer and interpret assessments related to career readiness and program placement, contributes to curriculum refinement based on learner and employer needs, and participates in outreach and recruitment efforts in collaboration with the Enrollment Manager and Intake & Assessment Operations Specialist. The role reports to the Adult Education Instructional Lead and plays a key role in supporting smooth participant pathways from outreach and intake through instruction, job placement preparation, and post-program transition.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Responsibilities:
Career Development & Work Readiness Instruction & Coaching
- Utilize a structured and approved career development curriculum to conduct engaging and comprehensive career readiness training through the Work Readiness Academy.
- Deliver dynamic instruction on workforce readiness topics, including professional skills, workplace communication, teamwork, problem-solving, resume development, interviewing techniques, job search strategies, workplace expectations, and career exploration.
- Facilitate onboarding and orientation for new Work Readiness Academy cohorts, engaging students effectively and setting clear expectations for participation, attendance, and performance.
- Integrate digital literacy, financial literacy, soft skills, and industry-informed expectations into instructional content to prepare students for employment and further education or training.
- Facilitate remediation workshops, lab time, and individual coaching sessions to provide additional support for students who need extra assistance beyond scheduled class time.
- Provide ongoing individual career counseling and coaching that helps students clarify goals, understand labor market opportunities, and plan next steps in their career pathways.
- Accompany students to workforce engagement activities such as site visits, mock interviews, networking events, employer panels, and job fairs as assigned.
- Collaborate with Career Services, Client Success, and employer engagement staff to align instruction with employer expectations and hiring needs.
Assessment & Placement Support
- Support administration of assessments related to career readiness, employability skills, digital literacy, and program placement, in alignment with agency and program procedures.
- Review and interpret relevant assessment and performance data to understand student strengths, growth areas, and support needs.
- Collaborate closely with the Enrollment Manager and Intake & Assessment Operations Specialist to ensure timely assessment scheduling, clear communication with students, and smooth transitions from intake to Work Readiness Academy cohorts.
- Use assessment results, attendance, and classroom performance to inform instructional groupings, individualized coaching plans, and referrals back to Adult Education or other services as needed.
- Maintain assessment integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with applicable policies, protocols, and reporting requirements.
- Share assessment and performance insights with program leadership and colleagues to strengthen retention, completion, and placement outcomes.
Curriculum Development & Continuous Improvement
- Contribute to the review, refinement, and modification of Work Readiness Academy curriculum, lesson plans, and instructional materials to align with employer feedback, labor market trends, and participant needs.
- Use student performance data, employer input, and classroom observations to recommend improvements to instructional strategies, modules, and activities.
- Collaborate with the Adult Education Instructional Lead and other instructors to ensure alignment between academic skill development and career readiness content.
- Contextualize and adapt curriculum to reflect target industries, employer expectations, and real-world workplace scenarios.
- Support development of supplemental curriculum, practice activities, and resources for students needing additional support in specific employability skill areas.
- Stay current on best practices in career development education, adult workforce training, and competency-based instruction, and integrate these practices into classroom delivery.
Recruitment, Outreach & Enrollment Collaboration
- Support recruitment and outreach activities that increase awareness of Work Readiness Academy and related career pathways programs among prospective participants and community partners.
- Participate in information sessions, community events, orientations, and partner meetings to promote programs and engage potential learners.
- Clearly communicate program expectations, schedules, content, and benefits to prospective participants, answering questions and helping them understand fit and next steps.
- Collaborate with the Enrollment Manager and Intake & Assessment Operations Specialist to follow up with interested individuals, address barriers to enrollment, and support conversion from inquiry to active participation.
- Share feedback with the Enrollment team about common questions, outreach messages, and barriers identified in conversations with prospective learners.
- Help maintain positive relationships with referral partners, community organizations, and employer partners to support strong and steady participant pipelines.
Student Support, Documentation & Data Management
- Monitor student progress toward career and education goals through ongoing formative assessments, observation, competency tracking, and regular coaching conversations.
- Provide timely and constructive feedback to students about their strengths, growth areas, professionalism, and readiness for employment or next-step training.
- Work with internal partners to address barriers such as transportation, childcare, scheduling, or technology that may impact student participation and success.
- Complete required documentation, case notes, and reports for students in a timely and accurate manner in alignment with program, funder, and state requirements.
- Track and record student attendance for each class and activity, and proactively follow up on absences or engagement concerns.
- Enter and maintain student data, attendance, assessment information, progress notes, and outcomes in required systems and platforms.
- Maintain student portfolios (physical and/or digital) documenting work samples, resumes, mock interview feedback, and career plans.
- Maintain confidentiality of student records and information according to agency policy and applicable regulations.
Professional Development & Program Engagement
- Participate in required professional development, training, staff meetings, and agency initiatives as assigned.
- Collaborate with instructors and staff across Adult Education, Work Readiness Academy, Career Services, and Enrollment to improve continuity of services and participant experience.
- Contribute to special projects and events such as orientations, graduations, employer events, and alumni engagement activities.
- Stay informed about local labor market trends, in-demand occupations, and employer expectations relevant to program participants.
- Stay current with Ohio ASPIRE policies, adult workforce development trends, and promising practices in career advancement instruction.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support effective program operations and student success.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, human resources, business, counseling, workforce development, or a related field preferred; candidates with strong experience in career coaching, workforce training, or facilitation of employability skills will be fully considered based on demonstrated skills and outcomes, even without a traditional degree.
- Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in career coaching, workforce development, adult education, training delivery, or related roles working with adult learners or job seekers preferred.
- Experience facilitating career development workshops, employability skills training, or Work Readiness Academy-style programming strongly preferred.
- Experience administering, supporting, or interpreting assessments related to employability, digital literacy, or career readiness preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to use assessment and performance data to inform coaching, instruction, and participant supports.
- Experience contributing to curriculum development, instructional design, or training content improvement preferred.
- Experience participating in recruitment, outreach, community engagement, or enrollment pipeline activities preferred.
- Strong communication, facilitation, and presentation skills with the ability to engage diverse adult learners and employer partners.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, virtual learning tools, and data systems; experience with CRM systems preferred.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, cultural humility, and trauma-informed practices in service delivery.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for instruction, recruitment, or employer-related activities.
- Valid driver license and proof of insurance preferred.
- Ability to speak languages in addition to English preferred.
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check.
Core Values:
- Empathy: We meet people where they are, without judgment.
- Equity: We understand that different people will need different supports to succeed.
- Impact: Our programs empower participants to be the best versions of themselves.
- Readiness: Our organization pivots to meet community needs, and our participants are prepared for work.
- Accountability: We hold ourselves to the same high standards as our participants do.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to actively engage with adult students in classroom and virtual learning environments, including standing and moving around the classroom for extended periods.
- Frequent standing, walking, and movement while teaching, facilitating group activities, conducting assessments, and participating in outreach or employer events.
- Ability to sit for extended periods while planning, completing documentation, reviewing student work, entering data, and working at a desk or computer.
- Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds, including instructional materials, laptops, event materials, and employer engagement resources.
- Frequent use of hands and fingers for writing, typing, handling instructional materials, operating technology, and completing documentation.
- Ability to view and read computer screens, printed documents, assessment tools, and student work for extended periods.
- Visual and auditory acuity to monitor student engagement, facilitate instruction, conduct assessments, and ensure a safe learning environment.
- Occasionally required to bend, stoop, or reach for supplies, materials, or equipment.
- Ability to travel occasionally to program sites, employer locations, partner organizations, and community events.
- Tolerance for working in classroom, office, and community environments with typical noise levels, changing schedules, and multiple priorities.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. They may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.
Pay: From $55,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
