Education and Career Navigator

Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services•New Haven, CT

6d•$0 - $28•Hybrid

About The Position

The Education and Career Navigator supports participants enrolled in IRIS Advancement Pathways (IAP), helping low-income adults with limited English proficiency move toward education, training, employment, and self-sufficiency goals. The role focuses on education and training navigation, Self-Sufficiency Plan follow-up, referral coordination, participant engagement, workshops, documentation, and helping clients progress from English learning and basic skills toward training, employment, career advancement, and long-term self-sufficiency. The Navigator works as part of the IAP team and collaborates closely with the IAP Program Manager, Workforce Navigator, Intake, Data and Referral Specialist, ESOL instructors, adult education and workforce partners, and community providers. The position complements the Workforce Navigator by strengthening education, training, referrals, and follow-up, while also supporting job readiness and employment goals when appropriate. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, with regular in-person work and occasional local travel. Some evening or weekend activities may be required. The role reports to the IAP Program Manager.

Requirements

Commitment to immigrant integration, adult education, workforce development, and economic mobility.
Strong relationship-building skills and ability to engage participants, staff, and community partners effectively.
Experience supporting individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple participant needs while maintaining accurate documentation.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
Commitment to anti-racism, cultural humility, trauma-informed practices, and IRIS's mission.
Comfort using Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, case management databases, online learning platforms, and digital communication tools.
Ability to travel locally for participant meetings, partner meetings, outreach, workshops, and community-based services.
Ability to conduct workshops, meetings, orientations, and participant activities that may involve extended periods of standing and movement.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Education, Workforce Development, Counseling, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
Two to three years of experience in case management, adult education, workforce development, immigrant and refugee services, social services, community navigation, or a related field preferred.
Experience working with refugees, immigrants, limited English proficient adults, or culturally diverse communities strongly preferred.
Knowledge of adult education, ESOL programs, workforce development systems, vocational training programs, credential evaluation processes, or community college pathways preferred.
Experience facilitating workshops, trainings, or group sessions preferred.
Bilingual or multilingual abilities preferred.

Responsibilities

Support participants in developing, understanding, and following through on their Self-Sufficiency Plans.
Help participants establish short- and long-term goals related to English learning, adult education, training, employment, career advancement, and self-sufficiency.
Maintain regular participant contact, monitor progress, identify emerging needs, and help remove barriers.
Break larger participant goals into practical next steps and timelines.
Coordinate with the IAP Program Manager and Workforce Navigator to align education, employment, and support services.
Help participants access ESOL, adult education, GED, digital literacy, vocational training, certification programs, credential evaluation referrals, community college pathways, and other education or training opportunities.
Assist participants with applications, enrollment, documentation, placement testing, orientation, and follow-up with education or training providers.
Help internationally trained participants explore credential evaluation, retraining, career transition, or alternative learning pathways, including the Upwardly Global platform.
Track participant engagement, attendance, progress, and outcomes related to education and training.
Build working relationships with adult education providers, training programs, community colleges, and other education partners.
Provide individual and group support with resumes, job applications, interview preparation, workplace expectations, digital job search tools, and professional communication.
Facilitate or co-facilitate job readiness, financial literacy, and career pathway workshops.
Support participants preparing to enter the workforce or move from education or training into employment.
Coordinate with the Workforce Navigator on job placement, employer connections, retention support, and job upgrading needs.
Help participants understand how education, training, English-language development, and employment connect to longer-term economic mobility.
Identify barriers to participation in education, training, employment, or program services.
Coordinate referrals to internal and external supports, including transportation, childcare, food assistance, housing resources, public benefits navigation, financial literacy, health and wellness supports, and other community services.
Follow up on referrals, coordinate warm handoffs with partners, document referral outcomes, and identify additional support needs.
Support participant engagement through check-ins, reminders, group sessions, workshops, and follow-up communication.
Help develop and maintain workshop materials on education pathways, job readiness, financial literacy, digital skills, and community navigation.
Support group activities that build confidence, explain U.S. systems, and help participants take practical steps toward their goals.
Assist with outreach and program events that support enrollment, retention, and participant success.
Maintain accurate and timely case notes, service records, referrals, Self-Sufficiency Plan updates, workshop participation records, and outcome documentation.
Understand grant requirements, parameters, and benchmarks.
Enter participant services, goals, referrals, follow-up activities, education activities, and outcomes in ClientTrack and other required tracking systems.
Support preparation of data and documentation for program reporting, quality assurance, and contract compliance.
Protect participant information in accordance with confidentiality, data security, and program requirements.
Participate in team meetings, case coordination, supervision, and program planning; provide updates on participant progress, barriers, referrals, and service needs.
Coordinate with IAP team members, employment staff, and other IRIS programs; contribute to workflow development and continuous program improvement.
Represent IAP with community partners as assigned.
Conduct participant, partner, and community activities in office, virtual, and community settings, including local travel as needed.