Summary
The AgTEC program is a regional collaborative of San Joaquin Valley Community Colleges, which is federally funded to deliver industry-relevant workforce training in agriculture—focusing on upskilling the workforce, enhancing competency-based education programs, and mobilizing a pipeline of talented and educated individuals into the agriculture industry. Under the direction of the Regional Innovation Director, the Pathway Navigator will work toward achieving the objectives of the AgTEC program and further the mission of the West Hills Community College District to relentlessly pursue student success. As an AgTEC Pathway Navigator, you will be pivotal in guiding students through their academic journey within the AgTEC pathway. The AgTEC Pathway Navigator will provide comprehensive support services to students, helping them navigate course selection, career exploration, and other opportunities within the AgTEC pathway. Key elements include:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for students within the AgTEC pathway, offering guidance and support throughout their academic journey.
• Provide information and resources regarding academic programs, course requirements, and career pathways within the AgTEC fields.
• Assist students identify and access support services, including tutoring, academic workshops, and counseling, as needed.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies to recruit and retain students interested in the AgTEC pathway, including high school visits, community events, and partnerships with local organizations.
• Participate in outreach events such as career fairs, industry conferences, and campus tours to showcase the benefits of pursuing a career in the agricultural, technological, engineering, and computing fields.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to create promotional materials, social media campaigns, and other outreach efforts to raise awareness of AgTEC programs and opportunities.
• Organize informational sessions, workshops, and guest speaker events to enhance students' understanding of AgTEC-related topics and career opportunities.
• Assist in developing and implementing new initiatives to increase student engagement and success within the AgTEC pathway.
• Maintain accurate records of student interactions, academic progress, and program participation using the college's student information system and other relevant databases.
• Generate reports and analyze data to assess the effectiveness of AgTEC pathway initiatives and identify areas for improvement.

Distinguishing Career Features
Provides enrollment, academic, and career advising and information to pre-college and college students. Enhances student achievement by coordinating and participating in educational assistance, activities, and events designed to encourage or improve college attendance or experience. Assists with non-traditional and adult education enrollment and articulation processes, participating in recruitment efforts, and serving as the liaison to programs serving adult/non-traditional students. Will provide direct referral to support services for adult education candidates.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Plan, communicate and conduct activities and programs to provide enrollment and transition assistance to prospective adult and non-traditional students.
• Develop recruitment strategies and coordinate the development of promotional materials such as brochures, speeches, videos, posters and newsletters for use with prospective students and partner organizations.
• Provides academic advising ranging from course alternatives, degree and certificate requirements, and transfer information to students on a drop-in basis or by appointment. Suggests alternative courses and experiences that may better address students’ educational goals and retention. Refers students to a Counselor or to other College resources for advanced guidance.
• Design and deliver oral presentation and workshops for student candidates to include panel presentations, group presentations, and one-on-one meetings.
• Interprets student placement and career assessment results and links placement test scores to advising content. Provides related advisement for general college preparation, financial aid, and school selection.
• Coordinate outreach efforts with counselors and faculty at the adult education providers and support service partners to develop a referral system, exchange information, and provide quality outreach for prospective students.
• Assists students with career exploration based on career counseling completed by Counselors and assessment results. Assists in interpreting test results and in planning and implementing a prescriptive academic program that meets each student's needs.
• Provides information to students on degrees, certificates, programs, and individual courses. Interprets degree/major requirements, and articulation agreements and transfer guides to four-year colleges. Directs students to a variety of information and resources as needed for educational planning.
• Assists in facilitating collaboration between adult schools and community college faculty.
• Participates in relevant advisory committee meetings.
• Schedules campus visits for prospective students.
• Illustrates to students the process for applying to colleges, seeking financial aid, and accessing other services.
• Researches career patterns, occupation and labor market trends, and other information to support discussion with students on career and educational planning.
• Maintains and updates student information on a database or equivalent resource. Ensures accurate information. Prepares statistical and evaluative reports as required by funding sources or the College.
• Assists students in the college enrollment process, including scheduling classes.
• Conduct adult education and/or non-traditional student orientation.
• Participates with others, including other programs in activities such as career fairs and college visitations.
• Receives and refers calls for counseling and other areas. Performs routine customer service functions of a clerical nature such as file maintenance, mailings, reports, and correspondence.
• Performs other related duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The position requires an in-depth working knowledge of the activities associated with providing customer service, and support to students in an academic counseling and advising setting. Requires a well-developed knowledge of the philosophy and practices of student learning and student success. Requires knowledge of the processes used for general academic advising and entities, and resources, including, but not limited to, community-based organizations, government agencies, and education providers, which support adult education candidates; ability to interact professionally with outside agencies; interact with adult education students and candidates; and knowledge of high demand industry sectors. Requires a working knowledge of student support services such as financial aid and employment. Requires an in-depth knowledge of community college and transfer program requirements. Requires a working knowledge of modern office systems, practices and procedures including skill at using personal computer software such as word processing and academic databases. Requires knowledge of population demographics focusing on characteristics and needs of students with diverse backgrounds. Requires skill in writing professional communications, reports, and materials. Requires well-developed human relations skill to convey policies, procedures, and instructions to others, to make presentations to small groups, and to persuade students toward a course of action.

Requires the ability to carry out the essential functions of the position. Requires the ability to learn District and College policies and procedures as well as those associated with counseling and advising. Requires the ability to interpret major sheets and course descriptions, financial aid, assessment, and placement examination results. Requires the ability to use a personal computer and common office productivity software, conduct internet research, enter data onto established data entry screens, and produce reports with routine queries. Requires the ability to interact productively with a wide range of students of varying abilities and background, including economic, social, and cultural diversity. Requires the ability to exercise a positive attitude, patience, empathy, compassion, and good judgment when dealing with others.

Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors where minimal safety considerations exist. Traveling within and outside of the district is required. Some weekends and evenings may be required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience
Understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, disability, religious background of community college students.

The position requires the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree. One year of experience in college or trade school advising or similar form of customer service oriented to students is preferred.

Successful candidates are proficient with computer applications and software applications. Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred

Licenses and Certificates
Requires a valid driver’s license.REQUIRED MATERIALS:

1. Completed Online Application
2. Professional resume.
3. Unofficial transcripts verifying course work completed

*It is the candidate's responsibility to make sure that all required materials have been received. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.*

West Hills Community College District is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information or covered veteran's status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Background Check: All of our positions require the ability to pass a background and live scan.

Selection Process: Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a qualifications screening by a committee. Those demonstrating the strongest backgrounds related to the position will be invited to interview.