Main Purpose of Job

Job Description

Post Assistant Careers Officer

Ref S96/17

Date of JD October 2017

Salary (£) Band 4, SCP 18-25 £17,891 - £22,434 per annum

Directorate Strategic Planning, Quality and Support

Unit Careers

Reports to Head of International, Quality, Excellence and Development

Location Campus to be confirmed, however the appointee will be required to be available for work at any of the College sites.

Total hours of 36 hours per week. However the post holder will be required to work adopt a flexible approach (including evening work) and to devote such time as may be required by the exigencies of the service.

Working Pattern To be confirmed on appointment. Hours may vary to suit the requirement of the post from time to time.

Main purpose of job

Under the direction of the Head of International, Quality, Excellence and Development the Assistant Careers Officer will work with counterparts on other campuses to provide a coherent and effective Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) service. He/she will undertake a range of tasks associated with supporting such provision and work with other staff in developing and implementing a range of activities designed to support prospective and current students in making career choices.

Responsibilities / duties:

1 Provide a professional, impartial and client centred appointment based careers guidance service for full time and part time students/trainees and external clients and maintain records of the guidance provided.

2 Assist with the establishment, maintainenance and development of a comprehensive, up to date web based careers information resource (including on line materials) which supports the curriculum areas of the college.

3 Coordinate the UCAS application process on base campus for students seeking entry to Higher Education Institutes and provide training and support for staff and students involved in the process.

4 Assist with the preparation and dissemination of the careers induction programme for new students and trainees.

1 5 Liaise with local and regional employers to maintain and develop a College Jobs and Work placement advertisement service accessible to students.

6 Organise and participate in pre-entry events such as University visits, Open Days and Information sessions to provide advice and guidance to prospective students.

7 Liaise with Marketing on the development and participation in promotional activites including school visits and college open days.

8 Liaise with course tutors and all sections of the college to promote CEIAG services to students.

9 Maintain contact with appropriate education and guidance organisations and other networks to ensure that the CEIAG service is informative, up to date and meeting standards of best practice.

10 Work with Learning Resources staff to develop and maintain a careers library on allocated base campus which incorporates information on education, training and employment.

11 Support Course Tutors in the delivery of the Careers Employablity modules through provision of suitable resources.

12 Participate in the review and evaluation of the CEIAG provision consistent with internal and external quality assurance requirements including ISEF and Matrix.

13 Fully utilise appropriate college systems and prepare relevant reports

14 Participate in staff training and development activities to update and enhance own knowledge, skills and professional competence needed to carry out the role effectively.

15 Undertake other duties as assigned from time to time by the Principal and Chief Executive, Directors of the College, Heads of Quality, Heads of Schools’, Heads of Unit or persons to whom they have delegated authority. . NOTES

1. This is a description of the job as it is at present constituted. The duties and responsibilities are intended to give a broad indication of the variety of tasks the post holder may be asked to undertake. It should be noted that a job description is not an exhaustive list of activities and staff may be asked to carry out duties commensurate with the grade of the post. The job description may also be amended to take account of changed circumstances, and staff will be consulted when this is necessary. It is the College’s aim to reach agreement to reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible, the College reserves the right to insist on changes to a job description after consultation with the post holder.

2. In carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the post it is expected that the post holder will do so in accordance with the College Ethos and Equal Opportunities Policy.

3. This is a post which is governed by The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. Before appointing anyone to this post, it is policy to ask for the relevant check to be carried out by Access NI

4. The College operates a no smoking policy and all staff are expected to adhere to this.

2 5. In order to deliver its objectives, the College has developed to the following set of values and all staff expected to work within these;

 Solution focused

 Excellence driven

 Responsive

 Collaborative

6. All Staff at Principal Lecturer Level and above (including equivalent staff on NJC Terms & Conditions, band 6 and above) are required to participate in evening and holiday cover rotas as required.

7. All Staff are required to contribute to a healthy and safe working environment and to adhere to all health and safety regulations and College policies.

8. All staff has a responsibility for ensuring that risks are managed at College, team and individual level. This process will include the assessment and effective control of all acceptable risk situations.

9. All Budget holders will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of a balanced budget across their area of responsibility, including the delivery of any agreed cost improvement programmes.

10. Please note that a waiting list may be created from this post from which further appointments may be made should the same or a similar post arise within six months of the interview date. Please note such posts may be based at any College Campus.

3 Selection Criteria Assistant Careers Officer x 2

Essential Criteria

1 Hold a minimum of a Level 4 qualification.

2 Hold or be prepared to undertake and achieve the Level 4 NVQ in Advice and Guidance and the Certificate in Career Guidance Theory (CCGT) within two years of taking up the post.*

3 At least two years’ experience working within a customer support environment providing support and guidance.

4 Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to develop innovative and creative solutions

5 Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills through the provision of reports, presentations to groups etc

6 Demonstrate excellent IT skills in the use of Microsoft applications

7 Demonstrate strong organisational skills

8 Access to a form of transport which will enable the duties of the post to be carried out in full

*Level 4 NVQ in Advice and Guidance and CCGT must hold specificed units as detailed in Appendix A.

The above are minimum criteria. These may be enhanced at the discretion of the Selection Panel.

Note: Shortlisting will take place on 9th January 2018 and Interviews will take place on 19th January 2018.

4 Appendix A

STANDARDS IN ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

SERC specifies that candidates holding the S/NVQ in Careers and Guidance must have the following specificed units;

S/NVQ in Guidance (available up to 2001)

DfE requires the Full Award-14 units required as below: GQ 4 – Develop and maintain interaction with clients GQ 5 – Evaluate and develop own work GQ 6 – Operate within a network GQ 7 – Operate referral procedures GQ 12 – Assist clients to decide on options for meeting their requirements GQ 13 - Provide support for clients in planning a course of action GQ 14 – Provide support for clients in implementing a course of action GQ 18 – Negotiate and maintain service agreements GQ 19 – Liaise with providers of opportunities GQ 29 – Prepare and develop resources to support learning GQ 30 – Create a climate conducive to learning GQ 31 – Facilitate learning in groups through presentations and activities GQ 32 – Facilitate group learning GQ 35 – Evaluating planned activity S/NVQ in Advice and Guidance (available 2001 – 2006)

SERC specifies that candidates require the Full Award -10 units. This must include the following 9 units + 1 additional unit: AGA 4 – Develop interactions with clients AGA 7 – Assist clients to decide on a course of action AGA 18 – Manage personal caseload AGA 20 – Evaluate and develop own contribution to the service AGA 8 – Assist clients to plan the implementation of a course of action AGA 9 – Assist clients to review their achievement of a course of action AGA 14 – Negotiate on behalf of clients AGA 22 – Operate within networks C27 – Facilitate group learning

S/NVQ in Advice and Guidance (available from August 2006)

SERC specifies that candidates require 17 credits must be completed from Mandatory Units and 20 credits minimum must be completed from Optional Units. Mandatory units: AG 3 – Develop interactions with advice and guidance clients (4 credits) AG 14 – Manage personal caseload (4 credits) AG 16 – Evaluate and develop own contribution to the service (3 credits) AG 18 – Operate within networks (3 credits) AG 30 – Understand importance of legislation and procedures (3 credits)

Optional units required by SERC: AG 5 – Assist advice and guidance clients to decide on a course of action (3 5 credits) AG 6 – Prepare clients through advice and guidance for the implementation of a course of action (3 credits) AG 7 – Assist clients through advice and guidance to review their achievement of a course of action (3 credits) AG 11 – Negotiate on behalf of advice and guidance clients (5 credits) AG 27 – Facilitate learner in groups (3 credits)

Certificate in Career Guidance Theory (CCGT)

SERC specifies that candidates require the three mandatory units. Unit 2 - Reflect on and improve professional practice (6 credits). Unit 3- Career guidance theory (6 credits) Unit 6 - Use Career and Labour Market Information with clients (6 credits)