The Director of Career & Veteran Services manages the day-to-day activities of the Career & Employment Services department in which students are assisted with developing and implementing career plans in unison with increasing employability skills. The Center works closely with Advisement & Counseling and Financial Aid to streamline students’ pathways to success. The incumbent will establish strong alliances with students, College staff, faculty, academic Deans, businesses, and community resources, to strengthen communications and opportunities for students. The incumbent will also design appropriate information, resources, and services for the diverse populations the College serves.

With Veteran Education, the Incumbent provides support to prospective, previous and current students who are Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents. The incumbent will assist the students in the financial aid process in determining eligibility for Federal, State and Veteran’s Educational Benefit programs. The incumbent assists Veterans and their dependents in determining appropriate educational and/or career goals that are consistent with their interests and aptitudes and then examines and explores various means of achieving these goals. The incumbent further assists students in determining their program of study, selecting appropriate classes, which will move the students toward their career goals.

• Assist students in examining and exploring various means of achieving their educational and career goals; matching their career or job goal to education and employment openings; and, ultimately, attaining meaningful employment.

• Provide academic and career advisement to students with undecided majors. Explore various options such as education, goals, employment, and careers. Work closely with Academic Advisors and Counselors as needed.

• As part of student retention efforts and compliance issues provide targeted and personalized services and interventions to selected populations with the goal of increasing student retention and success.

• Administer various career interest assessment (computerized and written). Interpret assessment results and make students aware of options available to them.

• Refer qualified students to employers, American Job Center, and other community resources without prejudice to race, sex, religion or national origin.

• Develop and present job search workshops, critique resumes and help applicants prepare for employment opportunities. Provide classroom presentations as requested by DACC faculty and Program Directors.

• Assist DACC program completers with placement into full time employment, work with Division Deans and lead instructors to track DACC program completers.

• Promote campus student employment program and work closely with students as they work through the process and interview.

• Collect accurate and current information on local, state and national occupational trends, employers and workforce needs. Share information with students, clients, faculty and staff.

• Serve on various career program advisory boards as assigned.

• Serve as information liaison with the College’s instructional and counseling divisions regarding career information, student employment, and resources available through the Career Services & Veteran Education Office.

• Assist employers in scheduling on-campus interviews.

• Build strong communications and employment networks with local businesses and industries, promoting DACC Career Services and student referrals.

• Register students for classes and provide support to the Advisement Office during peak times such as Discover DACC Days and at the beginning of each registration period.

• Oversee the development of JOB FLASH and publicize services provided by the Career Services Office.

• Supervise and coordinate annual Career Fair for DACC students, area high school students, and community members.

• Supervise and coordinate Illinois Cooperative Work Study grant, supervise and perform Perkins grant activities, including budget responsibilities and assessment of activities.

• Maintain confidentiality of students’ disclosures in individual counseling sessions.

• Assist with staffing, budgeting, assessment, and planning of the department. Responsible for the supervision and evaluations on an annual basis for the Career Services personnel including the Office Assistant.

• Maintain all department files. Maintain proper documentation on individuals served, especially related to CTE students and those who fall under one (or more) of the special populations categories.

• Collect data for College reports including department-level assessments and student success initiatives.

• Attend professional meetings, in-services, seminars, and trainings as pertain to areas of major responsibility and College priorities.

• Assist in the review and development of policies, practices, and procedures for equity and access, equity and student success.

• As a DACC Administrator and employee, understand and follow Board of Trustees policies and College procedures.

• Understand and implement all confidential information security policies: FERPA, GLBA, HIPA, Red Flag, etc.

• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Assist Veteran students and their dependents on a “walk in” basis as to the eligibility requirements and procedures to properly complete financial aid applications.

• Provide academic and career counseling to Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents. This service may be provided to a targeted group of Veterans or on an individual basis.

• Educate students on academic regulations, degree requirements, and facilities of the college.

• Perform degree audits, identifying options for students to satisfy specific degree requirements or identifying students in jeopardy of losing eligibility due to maximum time limits, and suggest strategies for degree completion.

• Develop promotional materials to promote Veteran services offered.

• Solicit and schedule guest speakers on Veterans topics. Visit other Veterans’ best practice sites.

• Develop activities and special events that honor Veterans and introduce them to other supportive employment-related services in the community.

• Work with other Veteran-serving agencies to provide other services on-campus.

• Promote, facilitate, and support Veteran groups on campus.

• Achieve and maintain informed status concerning local, institutional, state, and federal student financial aid guidelines and regulations by attending training opportunities both formal and informal via a variety of methods (internet webinars, on/off campus workshops, staff trainings and meetings).

• Perform veteran student verification procedures to ensure student eligibility for student aid programs and address errors or conflicting information and other items that may affect eligibility. Perform corrections of data elements as deemed appropriate.

• (For Veterans) Perform awarding, distribution, billing, reconciliation and audit tasks for federal, state, institutional, and/or outside donor funds as required per program.

• Act as Certifying Official for Veterans educational benefit and a liaison for students with various Federal and State Veteran’s Affairs agencies. Perform clerical and compliance procedures for all Veteran Educational Programs.

• Maintain, in an orderly and confidential fashion, all Veterans’ financial applications, files, and verification documentation. Assist in preparation for all internal and external audits.

• Assist in review of Veteran’s progress towards completion. Notify Veterans who are deemed “at risk” with regard to enrollment status and Satisfactory Academic Progress minimum standards. Assist in the DACC Appeals Committee functions.