Career Navigator (Houma, LA)

About the Role

To assist clients, create and follow through with a career navigation plan consistent with helping clients accomplish goals and work towards self-sufficiency. The role involves mentoring clients, determining immediate and long-term needs, employability, and identifying key barriers or assets in clients' self-sufficiency, as well as job coaching.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with service providers to evaluate client progress and offer counsel and guidance.
• Maintain regular face-to-face contact with clients.
• Identify risks and consultatively develop preventative strategies.
• Assist clients in learning life skills and develop and implement a leadership framework.
• Maintain case documentation, including client records, progress notes, and all other relevant information to comply with grant requirements.
• Review and verify all documentation submitted to support requests for assistance in accordance with program guidelines.
• Explain to clients their rights, responsibilities, required actions, and other available services based on their ability to be successful.
• Create an Individual Enhancement Plan (IEP) and perform an interest assessment for each client.
• Suggest appropriate development activities for program participants and assist in the development of personal development plans.
• Provide timely guidance and feedback to strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas to accomplish clients' objectives.
• Conduct other case management activities, such as traveling to assist clients, preparing case summaries and reports, attending meetings and training sessions, and providing referrals to appropriate outside agencies.
• Monitor client progress through phone calls, site visits, and case management appointments.
• Act as a liaison between program participants and project partners delivering supportive services.
• Maintain professional knowledge in applicable areas and stay updated on changes in job-related rules, statutes, and laws.
• Keep the Program Manager informed of unusual and/or crisis situations as they arise.

Requirements

• Minimum of a BA or BS degree and one year of 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 experienced with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other social media applications.
• Must provide own transportation and be able to clear a DMV check.
• Must possess a valid operator’s license and maintain current vehicle registration, liability insurance, and vehicle inspection.
• Must be ambulatory.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to complete projects efficiently and independently.
• Strong communication skills, including verbal, phone, word processing, email, and internet.
• Good public relations skills and ability to work with employees and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all personnel.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly in English.
• Ability to work occasionally long or extended hours, including weekends.
• Ability to function in a hectic work environment with occasional periods of high stress.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality of all information.

Physical/Mental Demands

• Must be able to tolerate frequent periods of high stress, heavy workload, and multiple priorities.
• Must be able to see, hear, speak, and otherwise communicate effectively.