Career Navigator (Baton Rouge, LA)

Goodwill Industries Of Southeastern Louisiana•Baton Rouge, LA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Career Navigator role is responsible for assisting participants in developing and executing personalized Individual Career Plans that align with their goals and foster self-sufficiency. This involves providing mentorship, identifying needs, assessing employability, and recognizing barriers or assets that impact participants' ability to achieve self-sufficiency. Regular communication with service providers is required to assess participant progress. The Career Navigator will offer ongoing counsel and guidance, maintaining consistent contact with participants through face-to-face, virtual, or telephonic methods to support their journey toward career success. This position requires a substantial understanding of coaching and mentoring, creativity, leadership skills, and strong oral and written communication abilities. The role involves identifying barriers to success, developing proactive strategies to overcome them, supporting participants in building essential life skills, and creating and implementing a leadership development framework.

Requirements

Minimum of BA or BS degree is required or one -year experience in criminal justice, social work, employment counseling, placement, human services, or public administration.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Must be proficient in operating a computer and have experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and other social media applications.
Must provide own transportation.
Must be able to clear OMV check.
Must possess valid operator’s license and maintain current vehicle registration, liability insurance and vehicle inspection.
Must be ambulatory.

Nice To Haves

Ability to assess cases accurately and utilize appropriate community resources to provide effective services to participants.
Strong initiative and independent judgment to work within established procedural guidelines.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to set priorities, manage time efficiently, and complete projects independently to meet critical deadlines.
Detail-oriented, with a focus on maintaining accurate records and files related to work performed.
Must contribute effectively to the accomplishment of team or program goals, objectives and activities.
Strong communication skills, including verbal, written, phone, and email correspondence.
Excellent public relations skills and the ability to work effectively with employees, participants, and the public.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and participants.
Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly in English.
Flexibility to work occasional long hours, including weekends, to meet program needs.
Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced work environment, even under high-stress conditions.
Maintain strict confidentiality of all participants and program-related information.

Responsibilities

Assist participants by developing and implementing individualized career plans that encourage self-sufficiency and personal growth.
Conduct assessments to determine immediate and long-term needs, employability, and barriers or assets affecting participants’ success.
Explain to participants their rights, responsibilities, required actions, and other available services based on their ability to be successful.
Collect and evaluate participant information to determine eligibility for internal and external program services.
Ensure that all necessary documentation is accurately collected and reviewed to support participant requests for assistance.
Review and verify all documentation submitted to support requests for assistance according to program guidelines.
Maintain case documentation by documenting every case management session with case notes and recording all supportive services provided.
Update participant records (both physical and electronic), and include any relevant information needed to help participants meet grant requirements.
Collaborate with participants to create an Individualized Career Plan (ICP), identify goals and assess their needs.
Set clear goals and outline actionable steps for participants and suggest relevant development activities that align with their career aspirations.
Regularly review and adjust career plans to align with evolving participant needs and goals.
Conduct essential case management tasks, including assisting participants with job searches, providing referrals to outside agencies, preparing success stories, and attending relevant meetings or training sessions.
Travel as needed to support participants with specific case management needs or site visits.
Pull and generate reports related to participant progress, case management activities, and program outcomes.
Ensure timely and accurate reporting of data to maintain compliance with grant requirements.
Consistently monitor participant progress through regular check-ins, phone calls, site visits, and case management appointments offering feedback and guidance to help them strengthen specific skills or knowledge areas.
Act as a liaison between participants and program partners, ensuring participants have access to supportive services and resources.
Work with court system(s) and local, state, federal, and social services agencies to coordinate program services and ensure compliance with service mandates.
Stay up to date with relevant job-related rules, statutes, and laws by reading professional literature, attending workshops, and participating in meetings and seminars.
Continuously enhance career navigation skills and knowledge to improve service delivery to participants.
Keep the Workforce Manager informed of any unusual or crisis situations that arise, providing guidance and ensuring proper handling of such events.