Career Navigator

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan is seeking a Career Navigator to help individuals set and achieve workforce development and education goals across southwestern Michigan. You will cultivate relationships with community partners to identify opportunities and maximize resources, guiding participants through the Opportunity Accelerator framework with tailored wraparound support.

You will collaborate with Goodwill team members and external partners to ensure successful employment

Qualifications

• Experience in career coaching, employment counseling, or workforce development is preferred.
• Ability to build positive ongoing relationships with participants, employers, and community partners.
• Strong organizational, clerical and communication skills; data collection experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist with program development and implementation of career pathways under the Opportunity Accelerator framework.
• Provide one-on-one coaching and wraparound support to participants pursuing employment and education goals.
• Track participant progress and maintain accurate digital records within seven days of service provision.

Skills

Career coaching

Employment counseling

Relationship building

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full Time

Supervised By: Vice President of Mission Services

Supervises: Does not supervise others

May be responsible for coordinating and supervising activities of participants, interns, work study students or volunteers assigned to Employment programs

WHY WORK FOR GOODWILL?

Ready for a career with impact? Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan (Goodwill SWMI) gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your local community while building your professional skills. Goodwill SWMI is a complex enterprise offering a wide range of career opportunities. Our organization rewards creativity and innovation, while offering competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package. Our team members enjoy a unique work environment that is professional, fast paced and fulfilling.

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION

Goodwill SWMI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Our nearly 300 dedicated team members help achieve our mission of improving the community by providing employment, education, training and support services tailored to individual needs across a six county territory. At Goodwill SWMI, the work we do makes a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve and, in turn, in the communities in which we live.

Goodwill SWMI manages ten retail stores (with attached, attended donation centers and one stand-alone donation center), Contract Manufacturing Operations as well as Custodial & Janitorial business units. These business operations provide stability to our organization that is not always enjoyed by nonprofit organizations solely funded by outside sources.

Our organization’s values shape our culture and guide our interactions with program participants, customers, community and one another. Our shared commitment to Living the Mission; Promoting Teamwork; Driving Collaboration; Taking Responsibility for our Actions and Behaviors; Respecting and Appreciating Others is what makes us successful and inspires all that we do.

NOTE: Grants support this position. This position’s establishment and continuance may be dependent upon on-going grant funding.

General Responsibilities:

The Career Navigator plays a vital role in helping individuals set and achieve workforce development and education goals across southwestern Michigan, including Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. They cultivate and maintain relationships with community partners to identify programming opportunities, assist in program development, and maximize available resources to positively impact individuals throughout the region. The Career Navigator is a champion for people’s potential, walking alongside community members through our Opportunity Accelerator structure. They provide encouragement and support as individuals work toward their self-defined goals.

The Career Navigator collaborates with both internal (e.g., Goodwill team members) and external (e.g., Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), community colleges, etc.) partners to help participants set and achieve employment and education milestones. They take a person-in-context approach, ensuring individuals receive the customized support and resources they need to succeed. Recognizing that each person’s journey is unique, the Career Navigator provides wraparound services tailored to each participant’s needs.

This role serves a diverse population, including individuals with disabilities, those experiencing poverty, high school and post-secondary students, and other adults (18+) throughout the region.

The Career Navigator will know they are successful when participants set and achieve workforce and education goals, leading to living-wage employment and thriving communities. Their work centers on building and maintaining strong relationships with Goodwill teammates, participants, and community partners, while providing one‑on‑one support to those they serve.

Key Performance Indicators for the position include:

• Individuals enrolled in programming
• Participants who set and achieve at least one employment or education goals

Essential functions include (but are not limited to):

• Assist with program development and implementation of career pathways for individuals using the Opportunity Accelerator framework.
• Guide individuals through the Opportunity Accelerator structure, providing encouragement and support as they pursue employment and education goals. Offer individualized coaching and resources to ensure participants receive wraparound support tailored to their unique needs.
• Assist participants in overcoming barriers to success, including access to education, job opportunities, and community resources.
• Support participants in setting and achieving workforce development and education milestones. Track participant progress and ensure they have the necessary tools to secure and retain employment.
• Develop and deliver work readiness classes and content to prepare participants for employment opportunities.
• Assist with the planning, coordination, and execution of summer work programs for youth and young adults.
• Cross‑train in Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), providing back‑up for work experiences, job placement and other services during busy seasons.
• Assist with grants as needed, including providing content, data or reviewing narrative.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with Goodwill teammates, participants, area employers, community partners and education institutions; work together to strengthen existing programming and identify opportunities for new endeavors.
• Keep up to date, accurate, comprehensive digital files; enter all data within seven days of service provision (e.g. into Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), Cognito, etc.)
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Minimum of one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Strong understanding of the culture of poverty and the challenges individuals face in achieving economic stability.
• Experience in career coaching, employment counseling, or workforce development is preferred
• Ability to build positive ongoing relationships with Goodwill teammates, adults, youth, community partners and employers
• Excellent professional presentation skills and appearance
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook) or comparable software
• Ability to work independently but also as a member of a collaborative team
• Ability to make independent objective decisions
• Possess superior organizational, clerical and communication skills
• Data collection and program development experience preferred

Education

High School Diploma/GED required; Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required, preferably (but not limited to) social work, psychology, child development, education or human services

Physical Requirements

General office environment. Frequent local travel across southwestern Michigan (Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph & Van Buren counties). Must possess valid driver’s license and be eligible for insurance under Agency’s commercial liability policy.

Other

Candidate must pass a pre‑employment drug screen and a criminal background check related to safety and welfare of children and families.

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan