Employment Navigator

Together•Omaha, NE

About The Position

The Employment Navigator supports participants enrolled in Together's SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) program in identifying and achieving employment, education, training, and career goals. The position provides individualized employment navigation, barrier reduction, job-readiness support, employer connections, and ongoing employment retention services. The Employment Navigator works collaboratively with participants to develop individualized employment plans, identify and address barriers to employment, connect participants with appropriate education, training, employment, and supportive services, and document progress toward established goals. The position also works closely with community partners, employers, training providers, and applicable state partners to ensure SNAP E&T services are coordinated, accurately documented, and delivered in accordance with program requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in social work, Human Services, Psychology, Business Administration, or related field preferred. Relevant experience may substitute for education.
At least 2 years of experience working in workforce development, social services, or employment coaching, especially with underserved populations such as individuals experiencing homelessness.
Familiarity with barriers experienced by individuals seeking employment or economic stability, including housing instability, poverty, limited employment history, transportation barriers, justice-system involvement, behavioral health needs, and other barriers to employment.
Experience working with local businesses and employers, and knowledge of job placement practices.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with individuals facing significant challenges.
Knowledge of community resources and support systems available to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Ability to facilitate workshops, provide individual coaching, and work effectively in a team environment.
Organizational skills, including case management, record-keeping, and data reporting.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and case management software.
Ability to understand and consistently apply program policies, procedures, eligibility requirements, and documentation standards.
Ability to manage a participant caseload, prioritize competing responsibilities, and meet required documentation and follow-up timelines.
Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records for program monitoring and reporting.

Nice To Haves

Career Development Facilitator (CDF) or other relevant career coaching certifications.
Knowledge or certification in trauma-informed care or social work.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive assessments of each participant's skills, work history, barriers to employment, and career aspirations.
Develop and maintain individualized employment plans for each participant, focusing on short-term and long-term employment, education, and training goals and documenting progress toward those goals.
Provide career counseling and guidance to help participants identify their strengths, overcome obstacles, and set achievable career objectives.
Complete required SNAP E&T enrollment, assessment, employment planning, and ongoing participant documentation.
Maintain timely and accurate case notes and service documentation in required agency and program systems.
Track participant engagement, employment and training activities, supportive services, employment outcomes, and retention.
Ensure participant files contain required documentation to support reported SNAP E&T activities and outcomes.
Coordinate with applicable state and community partners regarding referrals, participation, eligibility, and program requirements.
Participate in required SNAP E&T training, monitoring, reporting, and quality-assurance activities.
Maintain knowledge of current SNAP E&T program requirements and Together procedures.
Immediately communicate eligibility, documentation, compliance, or program implementation questions to the appropriate supervisor.
Offer one-on-one coaching in areas such as resume writing, interview techniques, and job search strategies.
Lead or facilitate job readiness workshops focused on soft skills like communication, punctuality, teamwork, and professionalism.
Help participants improve confidence and presentation in job interviews and the workplace.
Assess participant barriers that may interfere with successful participation in employment and training activities and coordinate allowable supportive services or referrals in accordance with SNAP E&T and Together requirements.
Connect participants with housing services, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, or financial assistance programs as needed.
Assist participants in navigating social service systems to access support (e.g., food assistance, public transportation, medical care).
Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, employers, and job placement agencies to identify job opportunities.
Advocate for participants with employers, highlighting their strengths and work readiness while recognizing and addressing barriers that may have affected previous employment opportunities.
Match participants with appropriate job openings, ensuring the jobs align with their skills, interests, and personal circumstances.
Provide ongoing support to individuals after they secure employment, including regular check-ins to ensure successful adjustment to the job.
Address any workplace challenges, such as conflicts, attendance issues, or adjustment difficulties.
Offer job retention services, including strategies for managing work-life balance, addressing ongoing housing instability, and ensuring long-term success.
Maintain consistent contact with assigned participants and complete required follow-up activities within established timelines.
Maintain an organized, current, and accurate caseload.
Document participant contacts, services provided, progress, barriers, outcomes, and unsuccessful contact attempts in required systems.
Identify participants who have disengaged from services and work with the supervisor to determine appropriate follow-up or program exit.
Ensure required participant documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted within established program timelines.
Communicate participant barriers, program concerns, and cases requiring additional guidance to the supervisor in a timely manner.
Work collaboratively with shelters, transitional housing programs, mental health and substance abuse counselors, and other community organizations to ensure holistic support for participants.
Stay connected to local job training and certification programs to ensure participants are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in the job market.
Maintain a network of resources to address participant needs beyond employment, including housing and healthcare support.
Coordinate with applicable state, community, workforce, and SNAP E&T partners regarding participant referrals, services, training opportunities, and program requirements.
Track participant progress through detailed case notes, ensuring accurate documentation of job search activities, job placements, and barriers faced.
Prepare and submit regular reports to supervisors on program outcomes, including job placements, retention rates, and participant feedback.
Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data privacy policies.
Monitor and report program outcomes, including enrollment, participation, employment and training activities, supportive services, job placement, wages when applicable, retention, and other required SNAP E&T performance measures.
Maintain timely and accurate SNAP E&T enrollment, assessment, service, employment, training, supportive service, and outcome documentation in required systems.
Ensure participant files contain required documentation to support reported SNAP E&T activities and outcomes.
Participate in required program monitoring, file review, quality assurance, and reporting activities.
Immediately communicate eligibility, documentation, compliance, or program implementation questions to the appropriate supervisor rather than independently interpreting program requirements.
Maintain working knowledge of SNAP E&T program requirements, Together procedures, and applicable guidance.
Complete required SNAP E&T participant enrollment, assessment, employment planning, service coordination, and follow-up activities.
Assist participants in identifying appropriate employment, education, training, and career-development opportunities.
Coordinate allowable supportive services that help participants engage in employment and training activities.
Maintain required documentation supporting SNAP E&T services, activities, and outcomes.
Participate in required SNAP E&T meetings, training, monitoring, reporting, and quality-improvement activities.
Work collaboratively with Together leadership and applicable program partners to identify barriers, improve program participation, and strengthen participant outcomes.
Plan, organize, and facilitate group workshops on career-related topics, such as budgeting, financial literacy, and workplace etiquette.
Promote a sense of community and peer support among program participants through group discussions and networking events.
Engage with local employers, community groups, and service providers to create more opportunities for program participants.