Career Navigator (Baton Rouge, LA)

Essential Functions

Aid participants in crafting and executing a personalized Individual Career Plan that aligns with their goals and promotes self-sufficiency. Provide mentorship, assess immediate and long-term needs, identify employability, recognize barriers or assets impacting participants' success, and maintain consistent contact through various methods.

Responsibilities

• Utilize coaching and mentoring skills to support participants in achieving success.
• Guide participants using creativity, leadership, and strong communication skills.
• Identify and address barriers to success, developing proactive strategies to overcome them.
• Support participants in building essential life skills and promoting long-term self-sufficiency.
• Create and implement a leadership development framework to empower participants.

Career Navigation

• Develop and implement individualized career plans to foster self-sufficiency and personal growth.
• Conduct assessments to determine immediate and long-term needs, employability, and barriers affecting participants' success.
• Explain participants' rights, responsibilities, and available services.

Participant Information Collection and Evaluation

• Collect and evaluate participant information to determine eligibility for internal and external program services.
• Ensure accurate collection and review of necessary documentation to support participant requests.

Case Documentation and Compliance

• Document every case management session with case notes and record all supportive services provided.
• Update participant records (physical and electronic) and include relevant information to help participants meet grant requirements.

Individualized Career Planning

• Collaborate with participants to create an Individualized Career Plan (ICP), identify goals, and assess their needs.
• Set clear goals and outline actionable steps for participants and suggest relevant development activities.
• Regularly review and adjust career plans to align with evolving participant needs and goals.

Case Management Activities

• Assist participants with job searches, provide referrals to outside agencies, prepare success stories, and attend relevant meetings or training sessions.
• Travel as needed to support participants with specific case management needs or site visits.
• Pull and generate reports related to participant progress, case management activities, and program outcomes.
• Maintain compliance with grant requirements by ensuring timely and accurate reporting of data.

Progress Monitoring and Support

• Monitor participant progress through regular check-ins, phone calls, site visits, and case management appointments, offering feedback and guidance.
• Act as a liaison between participants and program partners, ensuring they have access to supportive services and resources.

Crisis Management and Reporting

• Inform the Workforce Manager of any unusual or crisis situations, providing guidance and ensuring proper handling of such events.

Skills and Abilities

• Able to assess cases accurately and utilize appropriate community resources.
• Strong initiative and independent judgment to work within established procedural guidelines.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to set priorities, manage time efficiently, and complete projects independently to meet critical deadlines.
• Detail-oriented, with a focus on maintaining accurate records and files related to work performed.
• Effectively contributes to the accomplishment of team or program goals, objectives, and activities.
• Effective communicator, both verbally and in writing, with excellent public relations skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and participants.
• Capable of reading, writing, and communicating clearly in English.
• Flexible to work occasional long hours, including weekends, to meet program needs.
• Capable of functioning effectively in a fast-paced work environment, even under high-stress conditions.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all participants and program-related information.

Requirements

• Minimum of BA or BS degree required or one-year experience in criminal justice, social work, employment counseling, placement, human services, or public administration.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient in operating a computer and having experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and other social media applications.
• Own transportation required.
• Must be able to clear OMV check.
• Valid operator’s license and current vehicle registration, liability insurance, and vehicle inspection required.
• Must be ambulatory.