Basic Function and Responsibility:

Serve as a central point of support for potential and current students pursuing early childhood credentials and will work with these students in a high-touch capacity making intentional and regular contact with them.  Mentor/Coaches will have a basic working knowledge of Oakton's ECE programs and Gateways credentials to either advise students into the correct program (or connect them with the appropriate academic advisor, if a separate person). They will have a working knowledge of campus processes, establish and maintain relationships with internal offices (admissions, enrollment center, financial aid office, etc.) for the purpose of connecting students to necessary resources. This position will establish and maintain relationships with the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE), and with external navigators to best support students and connect them to offices/individuals. 

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as the main contact for students or prospective students interested in Early Childhood Education Programs/Gateway credentials at the College. Act as central point person to assist students in navigating college processes including but not limited to application process, enrollment/registration process, financial aid and ECACE scholarship processes, and other necessary resources afforded to Oakton students.
   
• Proactively monitor ECE student progress, meet regularly with students, and provide outreach to struggling students with resources that will help them persist and complete.
   
• Ensure students have the information they need to maximize credits, enroll, and complete in an expedient fashion including ongoing and intentional collaboration with the students' academic advisor, the ECE Department Chair, and College transitions team (Anne B. office) to ensure ECE credential transferability to 4-year institutions.
   
• Ensure ECE students are aware of credit for prior learning options and are utilized and applied to earn college credit including but not limited to the Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential when applicable in order to expedite credential completion.
   
• Establish and maintain relationships both internally and externally to Oakton to ensure students have a seamless entry and exit to and from Oakton's ECE Program.   Work closely with Oakton's faculty/staff, with ECACE navigators and agency professionals, and mentors/coaches at other institutions in order to best support students and to make appropriate referrals
   
• Recruit prospective students from local childcare centers, early childhood education centers, preschool centers to be part of ECE programs at Oakton.
   
• Serve as a first point of contact for students interested in credentials in early childhood at your institution.
   
• Respond to inquiries regarding CDA, AAS, scholarships, programs.
   
• Connect prospective students to the appropriate faculty/staff regarding program specific questions. Perform other job-related duties as assigned. 

Qualifications and Working Conditions:

• Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree in Education, Early Education, Special Education or Counseling or a related field is preferred.
• A minimum of three (3) years working in Early Childhood Education settings.
• Familiarity with Gateway Credentials in Early Childhood Education required.
• Interpersonal verbal and writing communication skills required
• Ability to interact and work collaboratively with colleagues, students and the public is required.
• Ability to use a computer to enter, retrieve and manipulate data is required.
• General office working conditions. Little or no exposure to adverse working conditions.

Supervision Received:

Administrative supervision is received from the Associate Vice President of Workforce Education/Dean of Business & Career Technology.  Functional Supervision is received from the Chair of Early Childhood Education Department.

Supervision Exercised:

 None

HOURS: Monday - Friday  8:00 am - 1:00 pm or 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

SALARY: $25.47

This is a temporary grant position and continued employment, is based on the successful renewal of the grant. 

Two part-time positions available: one position in Skokie and one position in Des Plaines 

Based on the needs of the college and with Administrator approval, some positions at the college may have remote or hybrid schedule options available. Please note, that during the 65 working day probationary period, employees are required to report to campus.

Oakton is accessible by public transportation.

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