Employment Navigator - SEMO RISE

Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri•Cape Girardeau, MO

About The Position

The Employment Navigator helps SEMO RISE participants identify career goals, access employment opportunities, secure jobs, and advance along their chosen career pathways. The role provides individualized career planning, job-readiness support, employer connections, job-placement assistance, and post-placement follow-up to promote long-term employment success. The Navigator works with participants, employers, workforce development partners, training providers, and SEMO RISE team members to connect people with employment opportunities in skilled trades and construction, information technology, commercial drone technology, and related industries. The position also supports employers in identifying qualified candidates and contributes to regional workforce development by reducing employment barriers, increasing access to careers, and supporting sustainable employment and advancement throughout Southeast Missouri. SEMO RISE serves 14 counties in Southeast Missouri: Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Scott, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Dunklin, Wayne, Stoddard, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Madison, and Butler. The Navigator may travel throughout this service area to meet participants, engage employers, attend workforce events, and coordinate opportunities with community partners. The position supports participants through career planning, employment preparation, employer engagement, job matching and placement, retention and advancement services, and required participant records and reporting. It also collaborates with SEMO RISE staff and community partners on service coordination and program development, while following grant requirements, organizational policies, and confidentiality standards.

Requirements

Associate degree, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience in workforce development, career services, human services, business, human resources, or a related field.
Experience in employment services, career counseling, job placement, recruiting, workforce development, employer engagement, or a related area.
Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and with varying employment histories, educational experiences, and career goals.
Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with employers, community organizations, training providers, and workforce partners.
Proficiency with email, word processing, spreadsheets, online job-search platforms, and electronic recordkeeping systems.
Ability to maintain confidential participant and employer information.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation, with ability to travel throughout the SEMO RISE service area as required.
Ability to assess individual career goals and translate them into practical employment plans.
Strong networking and employer-engagement abilities.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to motivate participants and provide constructive, goal-oriented guidance.
Strong follow-through, time management, and attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple participants, employer relationships, and deadlines.
Sound judgment in handling confidential information and employment-related concerns.
Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
Commitment to equitable access to employment, career development, and economic opportunity.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in workforce development, human resources, business administration, counseling, social services, or a related field.
Two or more years of experience in career coaching, job placement, recruiting, workforce development, or employer relations.
Familiarity with regional labor market conditions and employment opportunities in Southeast Missouri.
Experience with grant-funded programs, workforce initiatives, or individuals facing barriers to employment.
Knowledge of skilled trades, construction, information technology, commercial drone technology, apprenticeships, industry-recognized credentials, or related career pathways.
Experience using applicant tracking systems, case management databases, workforce reporting systems, or participant outcome tracking tools.

Responsibilities

Conduct individualized career-planning meetings and help participants identify employment interests, skills, experience, strengths, and career goals.
Help participants explore career pathways and develop realistic employment goals, action plans, and strategies for achieving career objectives.
Help participants identify transferable skills, credentials, qualifications, wage expectations, job requirements, and advancement opportunities in relevant industries.
Identify employment-related barriers and coordinate with the SEMO RISE Case Manager and other team members when additional services or referrals are needed.
Assist participants with resumes, cover letters, applications, interviewing, professional communication, workplace expectations, and job-search strategies.
Prepare participants for employer interviews, hiring events, job fairs, and other recruitment activities.
Help participants identify relevant certifications, training, credentials, workshops, and supportive services.
Build and maintain relationships with regional employers, contractors, construction companies, technology businesses, drone-related businesses, and other organizations with relevant opportunities.
Conduct employer outreach to identify hiring needs, skill requirements, qualifications, and advancement opportunities.
Develop employer partnerships for internships, apprenticeships, entry-level and skilled positions, and other career opportunities as appropriate to program design.
Communicate participant qualifications and potential job matches to employers while maintaining confidentiality and obtaining required participant consent.
Coordinate employer meetings, hiring events, job-shadowing opportunities, and other workforce connections; maintain awareness of labor market trends and employer needs.
Collaborate with training providers and workforce partners to align participant preparation with employer expectations.
Identify suitable job openings, match qualified participants with employers, and facilitate introductions or referrals.
Assist participants with applications, interview scheduling, communication with hiring managers, and navigating hiring processes.
Monitor application progress, interview outcomes, job offers, and placement results with participants and employers.
Help participants evaluate job offers, including responsibilities, compensation, schedules, transportation needs, and advancement opportunities.
Track placements and employment outcomes according to program requirements and performance measures.
Coordinate participant transitions into employment with the SEMO RISE Project Manager, Case Manager, Outreach & Engagement Specialist, and Data & Performance Specialist.
Follow up with participants after placement to assess progress, address workplace challenges, and support adjustment and retention.
Coordinate with the Case Manager when barriers may affect attendance, retention, or continued employment.
Help participants identify opportunities for wage growth, promotions, credentials, specialized training, and career progression.
When appropriate and with participant consent, communicate with employers to support retention and address employment concerns.
Document retention, advancement, and other employment outcomes in accordance with program procedures and grant requirements.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of career planning, referrals, employer contacts, placements, and follow-up services.
Enter required participant and employment information into designated data systems in accordance with CPSEMO procedures.
Work with the Data & Performance Specialist to ensure employment outcomes and supporting documentation are accurate, complete, and submitted on time.
Assist with program reports, success stories, employment summaries, and other participant-outcome documentation.
Follow grant requirements, eligibility and documentation procedures, organizational policies, and confidentiality standards; share sensitive information only with authorized individuals for legitimate program purposes.
Participate in staff meetings, case coordination, employer engagement, and program planning activities.
Coordinate services with SEMO RISE team members to provide consistent participant support.
Provide feedback on employer needs, participant experiences, employment barriers, and potential program improvements.
Help develop employment resources, employer contact lists, career pathway materials, and job-placement procedures.
Represent SEMO RISE and CPSEMO professionally at community events, workforce meetings, employer visits, and partner activities.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of SEMO RISE goals and objectives.