Professional Development Specialist

Great Jobs KC, Inc. (dba KC Scholars) (www.greatjobskc.org) is a 501(c)(3) college scholarship and tuition-free job training program. Its goal is to support persistence and increase the college completion rate for low- and modest-income students across the six-county, bi-state service region and secure family-sustaining careers. The organization was designed to change thousands of individual lives and transform the region by preparing the local future workforce and contributing to the regional economy. The KC Scholars Scholarship Program awards traditional college scholarships to high school juniors, adult learner scholarships to adults 18 years and older, and college savings match awards to high school freshmen. The Great Jobs KC program provides tuition assistance to approved career training programs in high-demand industries such as construction, healthcare, information technology, logistics/warehousing, manufacturing and service careers. With the support of Great Jobs KC, adults 17+ and older can learn the skills needed in one year or less to secure a job with family-sustaining wages. Great Jobs KC supports all its Scholars throughout their college or job training and into their first year of employment.  

ABOUT THE ROLE 

Reports to: Director of Scholar and Family Engagement

Location: Kansas City, MO 

Hybrid: 2 days in office, 3 days remote (technology provided) 

Status: Exempt, Full-time  

Salary: Annual salary based on experience  

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life Insurance, PTO, Holidays, leave program, 401k including employer contribution, and others  

Operating hours:  8:30 am to 5:00 pm CST 

Key Performance Indicators: 

· Deliver a minimum of 100 personalized 1-on-1 coaching sessions annually with targeted career and educational guidance to ensure 80% employment rate.  

· Create and maintain a library of at least 10 career success presentations, workshops, and training materials, equipping Scholars and alumni with high-quality resources for internships, graduate and professional school, and professional development. This includes guidance on resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, graduate and professional school preparation, and leadership development. 

· Annually, maintain an updated list of at least 30 internship opportunities, with 15 dedicated to high school Scholars and 15 to college Scholars. Provide direct support to Scholars in securing internships via 1-on-1 sessions and resources.  

· Build and maintain strategic partnerships with university career centers, Career Resource Managers (CRMs), and community organizations (e.g., ProX) to expand Scholar and alumni access to career, internship, and leadership development opportunities.  

· Serve as the primary liaison for ProX internship participants at Great Jobs KC, ensuring a seamless experience by providing consistent communication, resolving issues promptly, and providing ongoing support throughout the internship. Success will be measured by achieving a 90% satisfaction rate from both interns and Great Jobs KC employers. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Professional Development Specialist provides guidance to upperclassmen college Scholars and alumni on career planning, graduate and professional school options, and professional development, with a focus on achieving the organization's goal of an 80% employment rate. The role connects Scholars and alumni with university career services, networking opportunities, and job search support, while also developing workshops and resources to support career advancement. The role involves supporting internship opportunities, serving as the primary liaison for ProX internship participants, organizing professional development events, and building relationships with employers, university career centers, and community organizations to enhance career and academic opportunities for Scholars and alumni.

Primary responsibilities include:  

· Assist Scholars with career success planning 

· Provide guidance on graduate and professional school options 

· Support Scholars in writing application materials

· Offer coaching on professional development and leadership 

· Provide life skills coaching (e.g., work-life balance, emotional intelligence, self-advocacy, conflict resolution) 

· Serve as the main point of contact for alumni needing assistance outside of job placement 

· Connect Scholars and alumni with university career services, career fairs, networking events, and mentorship programs 

· Support alumni pursuing further education by connecting them with relevant programs and resources 

· Connect alumni to Career Resource Managers (CRMs) for job search assistance 

· Develop presentations on career success, leadership development, and professional growth 

· Develop workshops and training materials focused on resume writing, cover letters, and interview skills specifically for internships and graduate/professional school applications.

· Develop and implement resources and workshops to prepare high school Scholars for the ProX application process and internship experience.

· Provide access to career and professional development resources 

· Offer resources to help Scholars secure internships 

· Create and maintain a running list of internships available for high school and college Scholars 

· Act as a liaison between Scholars and community organizations that provide opportunities to Scholars (ex: ProX) 

· Serve as the primary contact for Scholars participating in an internship at Great Jobs KC

· Plan and execute professional development events 

· Develop and lead leadership development series 

· Assist with organizing networking events 

· Hold weekly office hours for Scholar support 

· Build and maintain relationships with Career Resource Managers (CRMs), employer networks, university career centers, and community organizations
 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Education:  

· An undergraduate degree is required, while an advanced degree is preferred.

Work Experience:  

· A minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience supporting first-generation, low-income college Scholars and alumni in achieving academic success, persistence, and career readiness through tailored support strategies and individualized coaching. 

· Deep knowledge and experience in career success planning, professional development, and internship placement strategies, with a focus on supporting college Scholars and alumni in navigating career pathways, graduate school options, and securing meaningful internship opportunities.

· Demonstrated success in collaborating with external organizations, university career centers, and community partners to achieve program objectives and enhance student outcomes. 

· Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, goal-driven environments, consistently meeting deadlines and exceeding performance targets. 

· Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams) to create and manage reports, presentations, and program materials. 

· Prior experience utilizing Salesforce and other CRM software to manage Scholar and alumni data, track progress, and enhance program efficiency.

Additional Knowledge, skills, and competencies:  

· Ability to work some evenings and weekend hours

· Passion for the mission.  

· Excellent leadership and problem-solving skills.  

· Results, systems and process focused.  

· Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task.  

· Quick learner with the ability to develop a solid understanding of the content, processes, deliverables, and overall objectives.  

· Personal value system that includes the highest standards of honesty, confidentiality, integrity, loyalty, and professional ethics reflective of the ability to succeed in building and maintaining positive relationships with the community.  

· Excellent communications skills (written, verbal, research skills, presentation skills, facilitation skills).  

· Passion for increasing college completion and workforce preparedness among students who are first-generation to college, low-income, or historically underrepresented in higher education and the regional workforce.  

· Results focused while leading with empathy and empowerment of others.  

· Drives through efficient and effective processes and procedures.  

· High customer service focus.  

Physical requirements: 

· Ability to lift up to 15 lbs.  

· Ability to work in an office and remote environment. 

· Ability to travel from and to work and occasionally to regional sites as the organization grows.  

· Ability to interact with others via technology, face-to-face and collectively.  

Great Jobs KC firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal, state, or local law.