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. Working with participants, employers, workforce development partners, training providers, and SEMO RISE team members, the Employment Navigator connects individuals with opportunities in skilled trades and construction, information technology, commercial drone technology, and related industries. The position helps participants translate their skills, training, credentials, and experience into career opportunities while assisting employers in identifying qualified candidates. SEMO RISE serves 14 counties in Southeast Missouri. The position may require travel throughout the service area to meet with participants, engage employers, attend workforce events, and coordinate opportunities with community partners. The role also supports SEMO RISE's broader goal of strengthening the regional workforce by reducing employment barriers, expanding access to career opportunities, and supporting sustainable employment and career advancement.

Requirements

Associate degree or 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 individuals 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.

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 working 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.
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 when 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.

Responsibilities

Conduct individualized career planning meetings to identify participants' employment interests, skills, experience, strengths, and long-term career goals.
Help participants explore career pathways and develop realistic employment goals, career action plans, and strategies for achieving short- and long-term objectives.
Help participants identify transferable skills, credentials, and qualifications, and provide guidance on career choices, job requirements, wage expectations, advancement opportunities, and employment pathways.
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, interview preparation, job-search strategies, professional communication, and workplace expectations.
Help participants prepare for employer interviews, hiring events, job fairs, and recruitment activities, and identify relevant certifications, training, and credentials.
Refer participants to appropriate training, workshops, and supportive services when additional preparation is needed.
Develop and maintain relationships with regional employers, contractors, construction companies, technology businesses, drone-related businesses, and other relevant organizations.
Conduct employer outreach to identify hiring needs, skill requirements, qualifications, and advancement opportunities.
Build employer partnerships and coordinate employer meetings, hiring events, job-shadowing opportunities, and other workforce connections.
Communicate with employers about participant qualifications and potential job matches while maintaining confidentiality and obtaining necessary participant consent.
Maintain an up-to-date understanding of regional labor market trends, employer needs, and emerging career opportunities, and collaborate with training providers and workforce partners to align preparation with employer expectations.
Identify suitable job openings, match participants with opportunities, facilitate employer introductions or referrals, and assist with applications, interviews, hiring-manager communications, and hiring processes.
Coordinate with employers and participants to monitor applications, interview outcomes, job offers, and placement results, and support participants in evaluating employment offers.
Track job placements and employment outcomes in accordance with program requirements and performance measures.
Coordinate with the SEMO RISE Project Manager, Case Manager, Outreach & Engagement Specialist, and Data & Performance Specialist to support participant transitions into employment.
Maintain post-placement contact, assess employment progress, identify challenges, and support participants in adjusting to the workplace and addressing retention barriers.
Help participants identify opportunities for wage growth, promotions, additional credentials, specialized training, and career progression.
When appropriate and with participant consent, communicate with employers to support retention and address employment-related concerns.
Document retention, advancement, and other employment outcomes according to program procedures and grant requirements.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of career planning, employment referrals, employer contacts, placements, and follow-up services.
Enter required participant and employment information into designated data systems in accordance with CPSEMO procedures.
Collaborate with the Data & Performance Specialist to ensure employment outcomes and supporting documentation are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
Assist with program reports, success stories, employment summaries, and other participant-outcome documentation.
Follow grant requirements, participant eligibility and documentation procedures, organizational policies, and confidentiality standards; protect sensitive information and share it only with authorized individuals for legitimate program purposes.
Participate in staff meetings, case coordination, employer engagement activities, and program planning sessions.
Provide feedback about employer needs, participant experiences, employment barriers, and opportunities to improve program services.
Assist with developing 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 that support SEMO RISE goals and objectives.