Workforce Navigator (In-School)
OVERVIEW:
This is a full-time position with a pay range of $18.00-$20.00 per hour.
Learn to Earn II (In School) is a job readiness program providing wrap-around academic and employment services to in-school youth ages 16-18 years old. This program’s purpose is to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in their employment and educational goals.
The Workforce Navigator is responsible for implementing all aspects of direct service delivery for the Learn 2 Earn II In School Program at The Center for Youth Services. This includes promoting the project, assessing participant skills and needs, helping establish academic and employment plans and goals, providing job-readiness information and supports, maintaining appropriate records and data collection, and identifying quality businesses to offer internship opportunities for youth. In cooperation with the staff at The Center for Youth, the Workforce Navigator acts as a link to community agencies, local businesses and colleges. The Workforce Navigator maintains regular contact with participants and their support systems, develops and facilitates job readiness trainings, refers youth to appropriate agencies for further supports, develops business relationships to provide paid internship opportunities to program participants, and provides direct support to all youth in attaining their educational and employment goals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:
Implements all aspects of direct service delivery, including:
- Utilize evidence-based, ongoing assessment processes for individuals entering the program with well-defined expectations for participation.
- Provide robust workforce readiness training for both hard (technical/vocational) and soft (essential/21st Century) skills.
- Develop strong and effective partnerships with employers in order to understand their needs and align training/resources to prepare individuals to meet those needs
- Educate employers about incentives, the benefits of hiring individuals from poverty and diverse backgrounds, and how to best engage the community
- Conduct post-placement follow-up and retention support for both individuals and employers
- Deliver intentional job matching services, which recognize individuals’ interests and potential, leading to placement in jobs with living wages, comprehensive benefits, and room for growth.
- Assisting with the Development and Maintenance of a Job Readiness Training*
- Meeting with participants frequently to:
- Assess and review needs*
- Assist in subsidized and non-subsidized employment obtainment*
- Review and support academic and employment goals*
- Provide service referrals and linkages, as appropriate*
- Maintaining contact with and providing ongoing information to participants’ support systems (i.e. parents, school, referral source) *
- Providing transportation to participants for program events and activities, as needed*
EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES:
Candidates must possess:
- A positive youth attitude
- Knowledge of youth asset development and risk reduction theory, and youth serving systems, community resources, partnerships and collaborations;
- Ability to build cooperative relationships with youth and support systems;
- Excellent training, presentation and teaching skills;
- Ability to develop and update employment readiness curricula;
- Ability to work independently, creatively and to prioritize tasks;
- Ability to structure and organize meetings and work groups;
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with school personnel, collaborative partners, employers, community resources and other program staff;
- Sensitivity to, appreciation for and ability to work with a culturally diverse population;
- Ability to be responsive and flexible;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Must have access to a vehicle and telephone and possess a valid Driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to agency insurance carrier. In addition, must have the following automobile insurance: $300,000 Combined Single Limit or $100,000/$300,000 Bodily Injury and $50,000 Property Damage.
CULTURAL COMPETENCY:
The Center delivers programs and services to youth and families across Monroe County who represent many racial, cultural and geographic groups. The Center ensures understanding and values differences in people of diverse cultures, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, disabilities and beliefs. All staff is required to attend cultural competency workshops and trainings and to continually enhance their own understanding of cultural diversity. The Center Performance Appraisal, administered annually, provides an opportunity for staff to evaluate how they are integrating culturally competent practices into everyday work.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates must be able to be autonomously mobile in providing easy access to services for youth: outreach into the community, in-home services to participants when required, on-site services, out stationing into schools and other community locations.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree in human services or related field or an equivalent combination of education, employment and life experience is required.
COMPUTER SKILLS RECOMMENDED:
Microsoft Office- Basic
The Center for Youth is an equal opportunity employer.