Advice & Guidance Co-ordinator (Maternity Cover)

Lancaster & Morecambe College is seeking an organised Careers Information, Advice & Guidance Co-ordinator to join the Learner Support Services team. 

You will provide advice and guidance to current and prospective students on courses, training, careers, Higher Education and on the sources of funding and support. The role involves close liaison with curriculum teams with your key focus being to have a positive impact upon recruitment, progression and retention rates.

Experience of working within a busy environment, providing career information, advice and guidance and dealing with pressurised workloads is essential. Your skills will include excellent communication, including giving presentations, good computer skills and the ability to deal with clients tactfully and sensitively.

The responsibilities of this post include evening work and occasional weekend work, for which time off in lieu will be given.

Benefits include defined benefits pension scheme, generous leave entitlement, opportunities for continuing professional development and good staff support services. Please note, CVs are not accepted.

All posts are subject to a DBS Disclosure in line with our policy of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners

Please note we do not accept CVs, download the LMC application form

Job Purpose:  

• To provide advice and guidance to current and prospective students on courses, training, careers, Higher Education and on the sources of funding and support.
• To have a positive impact on student recruitment, progression and retention rates

The responsibilities of this post include evening work and occasional weekend work, for which time off in lieu will be given.  

This team has an ethos of collaborative work and communication, both within the department and across the whole College.  All members must be willing and able to cover any role within the Student Engagement Team, while knowing when to refer to colleagues with specialisms.  The Advice and Guidance Coordinator role involves close liaison with internal and external partners and agencies, including College curriculum and support teams, Inspira, UCAS, Student Loans Company etc. 

As a College, we work to the Matrix Standard, a national quality mark for the impartiality of Information, Advice and Guidance.

Due to the nature of the service, leave cannot be taken during busy periods of induction and enrolments. 

Key Tasks / Responsibilities:

1. Provide an information, advice and guidance service on education, training and careers and enrol the public on to courses at Lancaster and Morecambe College. 

2. Provide information, support and advice to students on funding available such as Vulnerable Bursary, Learner Support Fund, Advanced Learning Loans etc.

3. Provide information, support and advice on HE funding and application processes to students.

4. Offer advice and information on a range of welfare matters, such as housing and financial support and referring to other internal colleagues and support agencies as appropriate.

5. Promote services and rights and responsibilities of students through production of information sheets, resources on Moodle, events and displays at Open Days.

6. Liaise closely with other college staff to promote the information service and student activities.

7. Provide advice regarding job seeking and employability skills for students.

8. The post holder will be expected to undertake project or development work allied to advice and guidance.

9. Timely collection and recording of guidance and advice statistics and data so that effectiveness of interventions can be measured.

10. Perform a range of general customer facing tasks such as general reception, switchboard, cash and card payments, enrolments and other general duties

11. Other duties commensurate with the grade of post as required.

Please note we do not accept CVs, download the LMC application form

• Contribute to the quality improvement process;
• Work within health and safety guidelines and be aware of your responsibilities for health and safety;
• Adhere to College policies and procedures;
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of young persons and vulnerable adults;
• Value diversity and promote equal opportunities;
• Undertake professional development to ensure skills and qualifications are up to date;
• Participate in meetings and events as required, e.g. Team meetings, parents’ evenings, etc.
• Work co-operatively with colleagues and show commitment to the College and its mission.
• Adhere to College Support (customer service) Standards;
• Adhere to the College Values:
  High Expectations;
  Driving Success;
  Positive Impact;
  Welcoming Community;
  Productive Collaboration

Please note we do not accept CVs, download the LMC application form

Disclosure & Barring Service:  This post is subject to an enhanced DBS Certificate

Experience 

Essential - Measured by application form and interview

• Experience of providing career information, advice and guidance
• Experience of working in a busy environment with pressurised workloads at times
• Experience of dealing with telephone and email enquiries, as well as face to face

Desirable - Measured by application form and interview

• Educational setting experience
• Knowledge of HE application/finances
• Careers guidance experience

Qualifications

Essential - Measured by application form

• Qualification to NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
• GCSE Grade C or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2)

Desirable - Measured by application form

• Advice and guidance qualification
• Level 4 qualification 

Skills / Abilities

Essential - Measured by skills test and interview

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in a range of situations, including giving presentations
• Ability to give detailed information in a clear, non-judgemental and impartial manner
• Ability to work to quality guidelines to maintain Matrix standard
• Good computer skills 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to prioritise and organise own workload
• Ability to deal tactfully and sensitively with difficult clients

Desirable - Measured by skills test and interview

• Presentation/group working skills
• Social media promotion and communication of events/services

Personal

Essential - Measured by application form, skills test and interview 

• Proven organisational skills and the ability to pay attention to detail
• Flexibility – evenings on a rota basis and occasional Saturday work
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external colleagues at all levels
• Approachable manner

Desirable - Measured by application form, skills test and interview 

• A car driver and access to a vehicle

Please note we do not accept CVs, download the LMC application form

Valued as a significant local employer, we work hard to provide a supportive, productive and fulfilling working environment for our staff. In addition to a friendly team culture and a range of excellent on-site facilities, we offer:

• Relevant staff training and development and good progression opportunities
• Defined Benefit Pension Schemes for all staff (Local Government and Teachers' Pensions Schemes)
• Generous leave entitlement
• A range of family-friendly and other supportive HR policies
• FREE College gym membership
• Dedicated Occupational Health
• On site The Salon, Restaurant and catering facilities
• FREE parking

Please note we do not accept CVs, download the LMC application form