Career Development Specialist

JobTrain • Menlo Park, CA

1d • $32 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

The Career Development Specialist (CDS) supports JobTrain’s vocational education program by helping clients enroll in education programs, address barriers to education and employment, prepare for the workplace, and connect with employers and job placement opportunities. The role includes intake and eligibility processes, student coaching and case management, training, placement tracking, reporting, and collaboration with JobTrain and employment specialist staff to improve career development processes.

This is a part-time position with flexible hours. The role is expected to be performed in-office depending on the needs of clients, students, and the organization. Working from home may be restricted or unavailable during the initial training period. The position requires travel to different sites within Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties as needed, including occasional evenings and weekends. Based on experience, the selected applicant may qualify as Career Development Specialist 1 or Career Development Specialist 2.

Requirements

• Proven experience with workforce development, including labor market information and labor force dynamics as they relate to job placement.
• Experience managing workflows, paperwork, and documentation, ensuring processes are complete and deadlines are met.
• Understanding of or experience managing a caseload; account management or grant management experience may also be considered.
• Direct experience working with populations experiencing barriers to employment, such as people experiencing homelessness, people with low incomes or receiving public assistance, justice-engaged individuals, the long-term unemployed, mature workers, and survivors of domestic violence.
• For Career Development Specialist 1: 1–2 years of relevant career experience in job development and placement.
• For Career Development Specialist 2: 2–4 years of relevant career experience in job development and placement.
• Understanding of caseload management and documentation, including assessing and meeting client job and career needs, organizing follow-up, documenting services, and reporting job placements.
• Excellent customer service and client rapport-building skills, with a professional demeanor and ability to perform required duties efficiently.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to guide conversations and achieve employment goals effectively and efficiently.
• Facilitation and public speaking skills, with the ability to deliver workshops one-on-one or to groups in varied settings.
• Critical thinking grounded in empathy, compassion, equity, innovation, and inclusion.
• Understanding of grant-funded programs, eligibility criteria, databases, and reporting parameters.
• Ability to work independently and autonomously in support of JobTrain’s mission and career development team goals, including organization, task management, goal-setting, and sound discernment.
• Broad familiarity with software and systems such as Microsoft Suite, spreadsheets, databases, and meeting technology.
• Ability to travel to different sites as needed within Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Successful candidates must have legal residency and work eligibility in the United States.
• Successful candidate must undergo a background check.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants are encouraged to attach a cover letter explaining their interest in JobTrain’s mission and how their experience matches the organization’s needs.
• Account management or grant management experience may be considered in place of caseload-management experience.

Responsibilities

• Guide clients through intake documentation and assessments to determine eligibility for low- and no-cost services.
• Process registrations and enroll student-clients in educational programs.
• Monitor and document student-client progress and provide regular feedback.
• Provide personal and career counseling and coaching, refer clients to supportive services, and co-manage cases as needed.
• Evaluate client needs and provide individual or group training on topics such as resume writing, mock interviews, critical thinking, soft skills, role play, and workplace dress and grooming.
• Collaborate with the Employment Specialist on job placement activities.
• Track employer placements for subsequent reporting.
• Deliver and report program status, outcomes, and deliverables to internal and external audiences in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with employment specialist staff and JobTrain staff to provide input and feedback, document processes, and continuously improve career development and JobTrain processes.

Benefits

• 401(k) with employer match after joining
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and emergency services
• Vacation time
• Paid sick leave
• Long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Pay for 10 observed holidays, including a full week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed