Career Services Coordinator

Opportunity Communities•Salem, MA

About The Position

The Career Services Coordinator performs various duties related to creating and supporting career-building opportunities for YouthBuild participants and alumni. A key responsibility of this role is to successfully match participants and graduates from YouthBuild’s Construction and Construction+ cohorts with employers in construction, healthcare, culinary, and other related fields. Additionally, the Career Services Coordinator oversees Future Success, Alumni Engagement, and the Employer Advisory Board while reporting directly to the Assistant Director of YouthBuild. The Career Services Coordinator develops work experience opportunities such as employment partners and targeted professional training (Future Success), ensuring that participant credentialing aligns with the needs and expectations of employers and post-program pathways. This role prepares participants for post-program transitions beginning at program entry through soft skills development, connections to supportive services, and the use of interest and skills assessments based on competency models. The work of the Career Services Coordinator begins on day one and continues throughout the life cycle of the grant(s) to help ensure participants are prepared for post-program success. Career Services Coordinator will provide ongoing career counseling and support participants in developing professional skills and identifying clear next steps for education, training, and employment after successful completion. The main goal of this role is to develop and build capacity/partnerships with potential employment and internship providers that will lead to internship, externship, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities specifically in the Construction, Healthcare, and Culinary Hospitality fields for YouthBuild participants.

Requirements

Excellent writing and interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate with others
Proficient in Microsoft applications, Adobe and Google
Excellent time management, customer service, and interpersonal skills
Ability to relate sensitively to a multiracial and multicultural group of young people.
Organized, capable of handling multiple requests and tasks, detail-oriented, excellent at follow-through, and ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to be flexible as specific tasks will change with the evolution of the program
Network effectively with various types of organizations, including government agencies, law enforcement agencies, schools, social service agencies, courts/probation/DYS/corrections, and grassroots organizations.
Strong commitment to helping young people succeed in an innovative training program to reorient their lives and nurture their leadership skills.

Responsibilities

Overseeing and ensuring that career and leadership development planning including employment preparation classes are provided to YouthBuild participants
Organize job readiness workshops, host college and career fairs and other events to facilitate pathways to graduation and post-secondary instruction or employment
Follow-up with employers after a participant is placed in employment or internship to ensure the participant is meeting expectations and identify additional skills participants may need to meet employer demand
Provide evaluation, conciliation, and mediation between employer and employee post-job placement
Oversee the Future Success component and Employer Advisory Board
Stay engaged with both employer and job seeker to ensure successful 85% or higher placement and strive toward 100% retention of all placed within their sector of training.
Deliver oral presentations as requested to employers/industry associations
Complete reports for department and grants i.e. AmeriCorps, WIOA, and DOL
Support participants with career counseling and professional development planning to help them identify next steps related to employment, training, or college
Assist participants in creating, updating, and maintaining resumes and cover letters, ensuring they are complete and ready for job, training, or college applications.
Review and support completion of applications for jobs, training programs, and postsecondary education to ensure they are accurate and submitted on time.
Provide guidance and support to participants completing FAFSA and other financial aid applications when pursuing post-secondary education.
Coordinate college tours and career exploration opportunities to expose participants to postsecondary and career pathways.
Invite guest speakers from various industries to speak with members about career pathways and requirements for entering different fields.
Organize and host at least two career fairs or career roundtable events each year to connect participants with employers, training programs, and industry professionals.
Assist participants with job search strategies, application submissions, and job placement opportunities.
Track participant progress related to career development, employment, and post-program goals.
Willingness to pivot and assist in all other programmatic needs.
May serve as backup within the department as needed.