Career Navigator

Five Keys Schools and Programs; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low medical costs

Flexible spending accounts

403(b) retirement

Gym membership reimbursement

Wellness programs

Job summary

Five Keys seeks a Career Navigator to enroll, support, and track clients in the Keys to Work program funded by Alameda County Probation. You’ll recruit, conduct intake and vocational assessments, and craft individual employment plans to help participants progress toward meaningful work.

You will lead one-on-one and group job readiness activities, coordinate with ACPD and local partners, and maintain comprehensive case files. Travel up to 30% across Northern California.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or related field; or extensive experience in this field.
• At least 1 year of experience in Workforce Development.
• Experience with re-entry/work with adults/young adults facing barriers to education and employment preferred.
• Strong technology skills and ability to work from home.

Responsibilities

• Use required databases to track participants and their employment readiness activities, outcomes, and paperwork.
• Work closely with the Job Developer to place clients in employment opportunities.
• Recruit participants from Alameda County Probation Department (ACPD).
• Conduct one-on-one intake and career assessments for participants.
• Develop Individual Employment Plans (EP) and job readiness activities.
• Facilitate work-readiness classes for soft skills, interview prep, and financial/digital literacy.
• Maintain accurate activity records and prepare data reports.
• Manage ACPD databases and coordinate meetings/trainings.
• Advise participants on career paths and job opportunities.
• Build connections with local employment centers and service providers.
• Provide feedback surveys and analyze data; participate in training.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Problem solving

Learning mindset

Cultural awareness

Emotional intelligence

Organization

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or related field

Tools

Zoom

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Databases

Job description

Mission StatementThrough the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.Five Keys OverviewFive Keys is a nonprofit organization that operates an extensive network of programs across California. With a presence in 14 counties and over 120 locations, Five Keys focuses on various initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and families to overcome poverty and inequity. The organization's programs encompass a wide range of services, including public charter schools, restorative justice programs in jails and prisons, shelters, permanent supportive housing, and the development of new housing and support programs. At Five Keys, the overarching objective is to uplift individuals and families by providing them with essential resources. This includes education, housing, employment, and the necessary tools to sustain their progress. By offering these fundamental elements, the organization aims to create positive and lasting change in communities, making them better places for everyone.Our Core CompetenciesA well qualified candidate has the capacity to communicate effectively, collaborate with others while building positive relationships, demonstrates strong problem solving skills, has a dynamic learning mindset, and remains committed to a high level of cultural and social awareness. A successful candidate will work well under pressure, observe appropriate boundaries and operate with a high degree of emotional intelligence.What it’s really like to join our agency…At Five Keys, culture matters. Culture is at the very core of everything we do and impact on a daily basis. We’ve made a commitment to building an inclusive culture that seeks collaboration over hierarchy to create empowered work teams. We serve vulnerable populations daily and we strive to approach everyone with compassion, patience and a trauma informed approach. We choose to push past discomfort to have difficult conversations to impact the greater good. This allows us the opportunity to collaboratively create an inclusive culture and transform the world around us.BENEFITSWe offer very low monthly costs for medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with generous time off! Various pre-tax flexible spending accounts and retirement account 403(b) are available. We provide annual reimbursements up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation, and weight loss programs. Annual athletic event participation and annual massages are reimbursed up to $50. Other Company-paid benefits, including free wellness-related apps, an Employee Assistance Program, and a comprehensive mental health care platform, are available to you and your dependents.JOB SUMMARYThe Five Keys Career Navigator reports to the Assistant Director of Workforce Services and is accountable for enrolling, supporting, and tracking outcomes for clients in the Keys to Work program funded by the Alameda County Probation Department. The Career Navigator will perform targeted recruitment, complete candidate intake and administer vocational assessments. In addition, the position is responsible for developing individual employment plans and designing and facilitating one-on-one and group job readiness activities.We are looking for someone who insists on maintaining a positive attitude and enjoys supporting a diverse group of people. This job is for you if you are a leader who is self-driven, innovative, kind, and has a growth mindset. Additionally, you support the Five Keys’ mission by creating a supportive environment of mutual respect and fairness, while encouraging creative and critical thinking through an equity lens. You are also ready to contribute to our appreciation of diversity and foster a climate of multicultural understanding.JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESUse required databases to track participants and their employment readiness activities, outcomes, and paperworkWork closely with the Job Developer to get clients placed in employment opportunitiesAssist recruitment of participants from Alameda County Probation Department (ACPD)Coordinate and/or conduct one-on-one intake and career assessments for participantsMaintain case files for all participants that include enrollment and assessment information, Individual Employment Plans (EP), and records of attendance, completed or in progress work-readiness classes. And other documentationCoordinate and/or facilitate work-readiness classes that development of employment soft skills, interview preparedness, and financial and digital literacyMaintain accurate activity records for Five Keys databases and prepare data reports when neededMaintain client demographic and program enrollment information in ACPD databases, including Enterprise as neededPrepare for and attend ACPD and workforce network partner meetings and trainings as neededCommunicate participant employment assessment results, employment plans, and progress with Five Keys and/or ACPD staffHelp to advise participants on career paths and opportunities for placement into jobs, training programs, or transitional employment opportunitiesTo ensure continuation of services, develop and maintain strong connections and referrals to Alameda County Job Centers, including the Comprehensive and Reentry Job CentersConduct regular follow-ups with referrals to determine participant progress post-releaseDocument all direct placement into unsubsidized/subsidized/transitional employmentAttend all training and professional development opportunities available for program staffBuild and maintain relationships within the network of local service providersCreate employee/participant feedback surveys, track and analyze incoming data, and attend engagement activities.Take a lead role in criminal justice and reentry training, planning, and implementation initiatives as neededAbide by Five Keys and Probation policies and proceduresReach out to supportive employment agencies, including the Department of Rehabilitation, Ed Roberts Campus, and The ARC of the East Bay to identify employment pathways for people with disabilitiesOther duties as assignedKNOWLEDGE AND SKILLSGeneral understanding of workforce development services and programs within Alameda CountyAdvanced proficiency in Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and databasesAble to maintain strict confidentiality and take all precautions when handling sensitive informationAbility to effectively and efficiently work from home and independently, with high levels of self-accountability when applicable.Exceptional organizational skillsStrong interpersonal skills and the ability to facilitate meetings with diverse stakeholdersEDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCEAssociate or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or related field; or, extensive experience in this fieldA minimum of one year experience in Workforce Development requiredPrevious re-entry experience preferredBackground in providing case management, life coaching, or support to adults and young adult clients who have barriers to education and employment, including involvement with the criminal justice systemGeneral understanding of workforce development, career counselingStrong background in utilizing technologyPHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSMust wear provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and adhere to all safety guidelines and requirements, when neededFrequent talking and hearing conversationsLong periods of walking, sitting at a desk and/or computer stationLifting items that weigh up to 25 lbs.; reaching, bending, carrying and stooping within the daily routine of tasks and activitiesADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSThis position is contingent upon:Satisfactory results of a Live Scan (criminal background investigation)Successfully obtaining jail clearance for positions working in county jails or probation locationsSubmitting proof of clear TB results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptableWORK ENVIRONMENTModerate to high noise levelWork environment varies from site to siteSome personal safety risk working in underserved communitiesMust be willing and able to travel throughout the area to community sites, and travel county-wide to various locations or meetings as neededUp to 30% travel to Five Keys locations throughout Northern California as neededGROWTH OPPORTUNITIESAt Five Keys, we understand that when our employees grow, the agency has a greater capacity to thrive and accomplish its mission. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all of our employees. These include but are not limited to: conferences, staff development training, and coaching plans that allow incumbents to grow into new positions within and across programs within the agency (i.e., programs, schools, housing).