Career Mentor Job Description
Purpose:
By using the experience gained from the proven Potter County ICM model, to provide specific help to students and parents of the public and private schools of Potter (McKean) Counties to provide information and resources to parents and students to establish career paths and connections before the students exit from school and to track their progress after leaving school for the first five years.
Employment:
The individuals will be part-time at-will employees of the Potter County Education Council (PCEC) assigned to a school district throughout the region based upon memorandums of understanding with each district. Each employee will need current clearances (PA Act 151 Child Abuse Clearance, PA Act 34 Criminal Record Check, a current PA FBI Clearance [Education Versions], along with a negative TB test result and one million dollars of professional liability insurance through the Association of American Educators), mandated reporter training, valid PA Driver’s License prior to working in the schools and will undergo a training program at the PCEC and local district.
Employees will only receive statutory benefits and will be eligible for approved transportation reimbursement at the IRS rate if required to travel to other than their regular assignment. The work year is typically mid-August until early June (1,000 Hours), dependent upon district schedules. As a part of the work year, employees are expected to participate in mandatory training days that are scheduled at various points throughout the year. When possible, employees will be notified of these scheduled trainings at least 60 days in advance.
Employees may accumulate compensatory hours of up to a maximum number of 25 hours at any given time. Employees are to receive administrative approval to take off more than 3 consecutive workdays (21 hours) in a row. All compensatory hours must be used by June 1st of each school calendar year.
Qualifications:
• Must have high school diploma and some formal post high school education.
• Must hold current clearances and Pennsylvania Driver’s License.
• Must possess excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Must possess the desire to assist students and parents with career-related needs.
• Must be reliable, demonstrate a strong work ethic, be able to function as a member of a team.
• Must model the soft skills that we are encouraging students to acquire.
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with students, parents and staff including through social media.
• Must have excellent organizational skills and able to pay attention to details.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of their job responsibilities.
Target Population:
Middle and High School students (Grades 3-12) would be the target group that is the focus of the initiative, but mentors may work at all grade levels within the district.
• Create dedicated guidance and/or career vocational mentor/aide role(s) to help school counselors’ efforts related to career exploration, information, advising, mentoring for students, career planning and post graduate tracking;
• Help school counselors in partnering with parents or guardians with regards to career planning activities
• Help school counselors in the maintenance of career plans for each student in grades 7-12;
• Assist school counselors in the tracking of information for Futures Ready Index requirements.
• Assist school counselors in implement programs such as Career Cruising.
• Help school counselors and the Business and Education Liaison to develop relationships with local business to help provide opportunities for job shadowing, apprenticeships, internships, capstone, coop, part time work, etc.
• Help school counselors to facilitate job shadowing, career cruising, job site visitation for students, career, college and job fairs for students;
• Help counselors work with transition coordinators and other entities for students with special needs career planning.
Outcomes/Job Responsibilities:
The following list gives the broad sweep of possible responsibilities that career mentor-aides may be called upon to accomplish with more specific items listed at the local district level.
• Help support young person through ongoing, one-to-one relationship.
• Serve as a positive role model.
• Build student relationships by planning and participating in career related activities.
• Strive for mutual respect between people.
• Build self-esteem and motivation by helping students set goals and work toward accomplishing them
• Increase the resources available to counselors to increase parent and student awareness of the value of career and technical education programs, especially those leading to high-value credentials and college credits;
• Help school counselors increase awareness of ninth grade students planning to enroll in career & technical education programs;
• Help in the analysis of gaps in current college and career ready efforts and help school counselors in the development of strategies to address those needs through partnerships with key stakeholders and career & technical education programs;
• Help to develop middle and high school instructional materials and resources that explore career options for students and parents.
• To assist school counselors in other ways that will allow school counselors more one-on-one time with students for career counseling.
• Help school counselors in the scheduling of resources from local and regional businesses.
• Help in the sharing of resources between local districts and businesses.
• Help regional Business-Education Liaison in making contact and developing resources with local businesses and industries.
• Help to document student and parent contacts and mentor activities for accountability reporting (Future Ready Index Reporting)
• Help school counselors to complete end of year surveys.
• Maintain a log of work activities and time spent on their duties and submit required reports.
• Career Mentors will not transport students on their own or within their personal vehicles. However, Career Mentors may be directed to utilize a school vehicle to provide transportation for a student(s) to and from a career experience (i.e., job shadowing, college fairs, work site visits, etc.)
Accountability:
District collaborative will need to report annually through Potter Education Council (PCEC) to Potter County Human Services (PCHS) on metrics as available, including participation in career exploration activities such as workplace and college visits, internships, mentoring, and job shadowing; enrollment in career & technical education programs; high school graduation; post-secondary enrollment; college credit awarded; job placement; and other metrics to be determined.
Due to the Career Mentor job responsibilities and the need for collaboration, Career Mentors are to be completing their hours as scheduled within the school setting and not from home. In the event of school delays or cancellations, Career Mentors are to plan accordingly and adjust their weekly schedules as needed to fulfill their assigned hours during the given pay period. Career Mentors should check with their district administrators (i.e., superintendents, principals) to determine availability for completing hours on site during in-service days, school delays, or cancellations.
Selection:
Career and vocational mentor-aides will be selected by a panel that may consist of local counselor, district administrator(s), Other district personnel, PCEC representative. They will be assigned to local school counselor(s) for supervision and coordination. The program is under the direction and coordination of PCEC Business and Education Liaison to assist in providing training, coordination, and supervision. District’s superintendent has the authority to recommend removal or reassignment of career mentor to PCEC Executive Director. Continued district placement is contingent upon local District’s Superintendent and PCEC Executive Director’s approval.
The Career Mentors are at-will part time employees of PCEC subject to continued funding and need by either PCEC or the local district.
