Carrer Navigator

San Diego Youth Services • San Diego, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

San Diego Youth Services seeks a Career Navigator for the TAY Works! program in San Diego. This is a full-time, temporary, non-exempt position reporting to the Program Manager, with an end date of June 31, 2027. The program serves eligible youth ages 16–24, primarily in San Diego, and supports them in pursuing education, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities, setting personal goals, accessing supportive services, and participating in healthy recreational and social activities. The role also supports the oversight and training of youth at the Ground Up Coffee shop.

The Career Navigator provides career navigation and case management from enrollment and assessment through job placement and follow-up. The position maintains a caseload of 50, offers individual and group workshops, coordinates referrals and supportive services, tracks participant progress and spending, and supports work experience, job shadowing, internships, pre-apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and skills training. The role works with employers and colleagues to support successful placements and youth employment goals.

The position includes outreach, event tabling, field work, participant transportation when necessary, worksite visits, and coffee shop coverage. Remote work is permitted only on scheduled days; scheduled office days must be completed in the office, and staff must return to the office after approved meetings with youth. The Career Navigator must be available for later shifts and weekend work. The position requires a trauma-informed approach and compliance with agency, contract, confidentiality, and reporting requirements. The role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, with two years of equivalent experience.
• At least three years of experience in workforce development; experience with at-risk youth and WIOA-funded projects is preferred.
• Willingness to work nights and weekends.
• Ability to work in a diverse setting with people of all backgrounds, cultures, and orientations.
• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, training, creativity, and public-speaking abilities.
• Ability to provide quality trauma-informed services in a fast-paced environment, including crisis intervention, de-escalation, motivational interviewing, and Seeking Safety.
• Ability to reprioritize and multitask.
• Must be eligible to be cleared to drive, hold a valid driver’s license, and have personal transportation; mileage is reimbursed.
• Maintain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Employment is subject to required tuberculosis testing, fingerprinting, background checks, and drug testing.
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds and operate a vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with at-risk youth and within a WIOA-funded project.
• Experience working in trauma-informed and dual-diagnosis programs.
• Working knowledge of trauma-informed care and dual-diagnosis treatment; willingness to develop this knowledge is also stated.
• Spanish proficiency; annual bonuses are offered for fully bilingual Spanish staff and for staff with Spanish proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake appointments, determine program eligibility, complete initial assessments, and develop individualized service plans and employment goals.
• Assess participants’ academic and basic skills, occupational skills, work experience, employability, interests, aptitudes, strengths, and development needs.
• Provide referrals and coordinate supportive services aligned with participants’ needs and employment goals.
• Manage recruitment, placement, engagement, and follow-up for participants throughout the program; maintain weekly contact with a caseload of 50.
• Facilitate individual and group workshops, check-ins, and sessions; plan outreach and encouragement to support attendance and continued engagement.
• Help participants develop career visions and short- and long-term education and employment goals, and provide tools for pre-employment skills and job retention.
• Coordinate work experience, job shadowing, internships, pre-apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and skills training activities.
• Monitor participant progress and maintain accurate records, including data entry in Apricot, required spreadsheets, spending dashboards, and reports.
• Conduct eligibility verification using Apricot, update spreadsheets, and perform internal monitoring for compliance with agency and contract requirements.
• Transport participants when necessary to support employment goals and conduct worksite visits to support successful placements.
• Support employers in addressing learning gaps and collaborate with the team lead to fill job and internship openings and help youth gather right-to-work documents.
• Collect signed timesheets, ensure OJT youth submit Paylocity timesheets on time, and track OJT hours and spreadsheets.
• Support coffee shop coverage and the oversight and training of youth at the Ground Up Coffee shop.
• Conduct outreach and event tabling for recruitment; participate in staff meetings, staff development, agency committees, workforce partnership trainings, and assigned collaboratives.
• Communicate with providers and SDYS program staff through email, scheduled check-ins, and updates.
• Use a trauma-informed approach with youth and families from varied populations and needs; provide crisis intervention and de-escalation support as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy in accordance with agency policies, applicable laws, and HIPAA; support volunteers when applicable.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Program Manager.

Benefits

• 18 days of PTO, 2 floating holidays, and 12.5 paid holidays (32.5 paid days off total).
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 2% employer match.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Pet insurance.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Annual bonus of $2,000 for staff who are fully bilingual in Spanish.
• Annual bonus of $1,500 for staff with proficiency in Spanish.
• Life insurance and parental leave.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level