Career Counselor Jobs in Iowa

Talent Collective DSM is hiring for the position of High School Career Coach. We are seeking candidates who possess a deep desire to support students as they reach their goal of full-time employment. TCDSM is a non-profit organization and offers a competitive salary and benefits package (not part of IPERS). Benefits include 401K contribution, health, vision, and dental insurance.

The salary range for this position is $55,000-$60,000 and includes an opportunity for a performance bonus, as well as stipends for cell phone and vehicle.

Interested parties should direct their resumes and questions to Noelle Nelson at nnelson@talentcollectivedsm.org

PLEASE NOTE: This is a partner posting - it is not a positon with Des Moines Public Schools.

**DO NOT COMPLETE A DES MOINES PUBLIC SCHOOLS APPLICATION**

Job Title: High School Career Coach

Department: High School

Reports To: President

Status: Full Time, 12 months (summers flexible)

Start Date: As Soon As Possible

Job Summary:

The High School Career Coach provides individualized, year-round support to juniors and seniors participating in Talent Collective DSM (formerly Avenue Scholars) at an assigned Des Moines Public Schools high school. The coach recruits and selects students, teaches credit-bearing career-readiness courses, and helps students identify strengths, build skills, complete high school, and transition to postsecondary training, education, or employment in TCDSM-supported career pathways. The role requires strong collaboration with students, families, school staff, TCDSM colleagues, postsecondary partners, and employers. A State of Iowa teaching license is required.

Essential Responsibilities:

Student Recruitment and Selection

• Lead recruitment, application, interview, and selection processes for program participants at the assigned high school.

Instruction and Career Planning

• Plan, teach, and assess credit-bearing class (3 periods/day) using TCDSM curriculum and high school programming.
• Help students set realistic personal, academic, and career goals and complete required career plans on time.
• Assess student progress, identify needs, and coordinate support with families, teachers, counselors, coaches, employers, and other partners.
• In collaboration with Postsecondary Career Coaches, help students explore career options aligned with their interests, strengths, skills, and abilities.
• Facilitate student participation in career awareness and exploration activities.

Student Coaching and Support

• Provide one-on-one academic, social/emotional, and career coaching during the school year and summer.
• Support students through personal, family, educational, employment, and career-related challenges, both in and outside the school setting.
• Plan and supervise summer lessons and student-centered activities while maintaining relationships with students and employers.

Employment and Employer Partnerships

• Build and maintain employer relationships that create student employment and career-exploration opportunities.
• Coordinate with Postsecondary Career Coaches and employer partners to support student placement, work
• performance, follow-up, and documentation

Collaboration, Communication, and Data Use

• Serve as an ambassador for TCDSM in interactions with employers, education partners, community organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Maintain productive relationships with assigned high school staff and administrators and connect students with counselors or other resources as needed.
• Collaborate with colleagues and external partners to support student progress and successful transitions after high school.
• Participate in professional learning communities, staff meetings, and other collaborative forums.
• Use TCDSM technology platforms, including email, Infinite Campus, Salesforce, and Microsoft Office, to communicate, deliver programming, document services, and monitor student progress.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, human services, workforce development, or a related field.
• State of Iowa teaching license/certificate with appropriate secondary endorsement.
• Knowledge of adolescent development, classroom instruction, student advising, and goal setting.
• Ability to manage a classroom, engage diverse learners, and deliver curriculum that supports readiness for postsecondary education, training, and careers.
• Strong communication, listening, planning, organization, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with students, families, school staff, employers, community partners, and colleagues.
• Professionalism, accountability, punctuality, and follow-through in communication, events, and assigned tasks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in education, human services, workforce development, or a related field.
• Two or more years of experience serving high school-age youth or young adults with financial need.
• Two or more years of successful teaching experience in a large urban high school.
• Bilingual skills.
• Knowledge of barriers and best practices for serving students with financial need.
• Knowledge of school and community resources, DMPS and DMACC career/technical programs, and Des Moinesarea high demand career pathways.
• Familiarity with DMPS and assigned high school policies and procedures.

Work Environment:

Work takes place in the TCDSM office, DMPS partner high schools, area businesses, and community settings. Some
work occurs outside the traditional school day or school year to support students, employers, and program activities.
Summers include work from home options.