Career Navigator

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 22,730 - 32,373; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Kalamazoo is hiring a Career Navigator to assist individuals in setting and achieving their workforce development and education goals. The ideal candidate will have experience working with individuals with disabilities and a strong grasp of economic stability challenges. This position offers full-time employment with responsibilities including collaboration with community partners, coaching, and program development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of experience in individual support.
• Strong understanding of poverty challenges.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Guide individuals through the Opportunity Accelerator structure.
• Develop and deliver work readiness classes.
• Support participants in achieving workforce development goals.

Skills

Working with individuals with disabilities

Career coaching

Building relationships

Organizational skills

Data collection

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Bachelor's degree in relevant field preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Efforts to Outcomes (ETO)

Cognito

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Career Navigator role at Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan.

Base pay range: $20.00/hr - $20.00/hr.

Position Title: Career Navigator
Classification: Non-Exempt, Full Time
Supervised By: Vice President of Mission Services
Supervises: Does not supervise others

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

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

• Individuals enrolled in programming
• Individuals completing programming
• Participants who set and achieve at least one employment or education goals
• Participant/Counselor satisfaction scores

Essential functions

• 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.
• Previous case management experience preferred
• 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 (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.

Seniorit y level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Other, Information Technology, and Management
• Industries
• Individual and Family Services

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