Self-Sufficiency Navigator

CAREERSOURCE NORTHEAST FLORIDA•Jacksonville, FL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Self-Sufficiency Navigator provides career guidance and case management to customers referred by the Department of Children and Families in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment. The role supports customers in meeting program requirements and progressing toward employment and self-sufficiency, while adhering to state and federal performance measures. The position works with the general public and is designated as a position of special trust. A Level 1 Florida law-enforcement-records background screening is required before employment. The Navigator conducts intake and follow-up appointments, maintains accurate customer files and case notes, evaluates customer progress against Individual Responsibility Plans, and coordinates referrals and support services. The role uses CareerSource-related programs and state systems, responds to calls and customer inquiries, and provides employment, training, career-planning, and labor-market information. Local travel may be required; the employee must provide their own transportation. The position is based at Gateway Career Center in Jacksonville, Florida, is full-time, and has a day shift. The work is primarily indoors and includes occasional vehicular travel, prolonged sitting and computer use, and lifting up to 15 pounds at times. The listed salary is $41,259.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, mental health, or a closely related field is preferred; relevant education and experience may be combined to demonstrate ability to perform the essential responsibilities.
Two years of experience working closely with individuals and families in need of assistance, including crisis intervention and understanding the theory and practice of multiple evidence-based and best practices used in case management, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Professional or nonprofessional experience may substitute year-for-year for the required college education.
Case-management experience and ability to engage customers and maintain positive customer relationships.
Ability to work independently by planning, organizing, and coordinating work assignments.
Ability to work effectively in a team and maintain professional relationships with management, coworkers, stakeholders, and customers.
Effective verbal and written communication and listening skills.
Ability to handle in-person and telephone interactions efficiently and courteously.
Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other applications.
Ability to assess job seekers and develop career pathways through research, program knowledge, and critical thinking.
Ability to learn and become proficient in CareerSource technology and systems, including Employ Florida and the CareerSource website.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
Must provide own transportation if required to travel locally.
Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
Must complete a Level 1 Florida security background screening as a condition of pre-employment eligibility.
Must obtain Florida Workforce Professional Tier I Certification, complete the Florida WINS Course within established timeframes, and complete 15 hours of continuing education to maintain certification.
Must comply with HIPAA and workplace safety requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, mental health, or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

Conduct daily intake appointments for customers referred by the Department of Children and Families.
Create, maintain, and update customer case files according to defined standards and enter information into appropriate systems.
Travel to CareerSource centers within the six-county region to meet customers in outlying counties.
Conduct monthly follow-up appointments to check customers’ progress with mandatory requirements and employment goals.
Monitor case files for accuracy, provide them to the supervisor as required, and ensure services are recorded accurately according to regulations and internal requirements.
Correct case file deficiencies within required timelines.
Determine customer suitability for training, calculate eligibility for support services, and prepare requests for services such as childcare, transportation, training, uniforms, and related fees; submit requests to the supervisor for review and approval before discussing or distributing them to customers.
Document and report program non-compliance that may lead to termination of benefits.
Complete Individual Responsibility Plans and use them to guide customers toward self-sufficiency.
Evaluate, facilitate, monitor, and document services and customer progress against established goals and objectives.
Verify and accurately enter customer job-placement or accountable-activity information into the data system within the supervisor-defined error rate.
Adhere to performance goals established by state and federal policy guidelines.
Answer dedicated Welfare Transition call-center lines when the customer service representative is absent, and respond to unscheduled or escalated calls.
Schedule monthly follow-up appointments in person or by phone to exchange information, answer questions, resolve basic issues, and reach agreement with customers about expected outcomes for employment goals and program participation.
Address individual customer needs and interests, using empathetic and courteous communication to gather case updates.
Use CareerSource-related program tools, state systems, document-storage systems, and associated tracking software.
Prepare customers for employment by providing employment resources, training opportunities, and career planning as appropriate; refer customers for basic-skills, aptitude, and vocational testing when needed.
Manage emails, CNG, and voicemails daily.
Maintain records of customer interactions, inquiries, complaints, comments, and actions taken through system case notes.
Assist customers with job searches and other needs related to obtaining gainful employment; provide mentoring and guidance as requested.
Prepare and provide labor-market information, hiring trends, and wage data as requested.
Obtain the mandatory Florida Workforce Professional Tier I Certification, complete the mandatory Florida WINS Course within established timeframes, and complete 15 hours of continuing education to maintain certification.
Comply with HIPAA and workplace safety policies.
Perform other assigned duties and responsibilities.