Career Navigator

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas; Springdale (AR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is seeking a Career Navigator to empower employees and program participants through individualized coaching, pathway planning, and skills development using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches.

You will collaborate with store leadership, employers, educational institutions, and community partners to support education, training, employment, retention, and advancement toward self-sufficiency.

Spanish language skills are a plus but not required.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering individualized career coaching and guidance.
• Knowledge of Opportunity Accelerator (OA), JOFI and other assessments.
• Ability to develop Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) with measurable goals.
• Strong collaboration with store leadership, employers, educational institutions, and community partners.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and pass background checks.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized career coaching services, including intake, assessment, goal setting, career exploration, educational planning, financial guidance, job search assistance, and employment retention support.
• Administer and interpret Opportunity Accelerator (OA), JOFI, and other assessment tools to identify strengths, barriers, and career readiness.
• Develop and maintain ISPs with measurable short-term and long-term goals.
• Assist employees and clients in identifying career pathways aligned with strengths and labor market demand.
• Meet regularly with assigned employees and clients to review progress and provide accountability.
• Build collaborative relationships with store managers, site leaders, employers, and community partners.
• Partner with managers to identify internal career growth opportunities and support promotions and cross-training.
• Provide employment readiness services including resume development and interview preparation.
• Support onboarding activities for new Goodwill employees.
• Utilize trauma-informed, strengths-based coaching practices to address barriers to employment and advancement.
• Assess participant needs and facilitate referrals to HR, EAP, education, and workforce partners.
• Develop and maintain a community resource directory.
• Maintain accurate case documentation and progress notes.
• Track, analyze, and report participant outcomes using case management systems.
• Exercise professional judgment and maintain confidentiality; participate in professional development.

Skills

Career coaching

Intake & assessment

Goal setting

Education planning

Job search assistance

Retention support

Trauma-informed practices

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

The Career Navigator empowers Goodwill employees and program participants to achieve career success through individualized coaching, career pathway planning, skill development, and access to supportive resources. Using Opportunity Accelerator (OA), trauma-informed practices, and strengths-based coaching methodologies, the Career Navigator assists individuals in identifying career goals, overcoming barriers, and progressing toward self-sufficiency through education, training, employment, retention, and advancement opportunities.

The Career Navigator serves as a key liaison between employees, store leadership, employers, educational institutions, and community partners to support long-term career growth and economic mobility. Spanish language skills are a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

1.Provide individualized career coaching services, including intake, assessment, goal setting, career exploration, educational planning, financial guidance, job search assistance, and employment retention support.

2.Administer, interpret, and utilize Opportunity Accelerator (OA), JOFI, and other assessment tools to identify strengths, barriers, interests, skills, and career readiness levels.

3.Develop and maintain Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) that establish measurable short-term and long-term career, educational, and personal goals.

4.Assist employees and clients in identifying and pursuing career pathways aligned with their strengths, interests, transferable skills, labor market demand, and advancement opportunities, including education, certifications, credentials, apprenticeships, and training programs.

5.Meet regularly with assigned employees and clients to review goals, monitor progress, provide accountability, and celebrate milestones.

6.Build and maintain collaborative relationships with store managers, site leaders, supervisors, employers, and community partners to support employee engagement, retention, employment, and advancement opportunities.

7.Partner with managers to identify internal career growth opportunities and support employees pursuing promotions, cross-training, and career progression within the organization.

8.Provide employment readiness services, including interview preparation, resume development, job search strategies, professional skill development, and work readiness training in individual and group settings.

9.Support onboarding activities for new Goodwill employees in partnership with site leadership and hiring managers.

10.Utilize trauma-informed, strengths-based coaching practices to assist employees and clients in overcoming barriers to employment, education, and career advancement.

11.Assess participant needs and facilitate referrals to Human Resources, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), educational institutions, workforce partners, community organizations, and other support services as appropriate.

12.Develop and maintain an up-to-date community resource directory to support employee and participant success.

13.Maintain accurate, timely, and complete case documentation, including assessments, progress notes, service records, signatures, and other required documentation in compliance with organizational, state, and federal guidelines.

14.Track, analyze, and report participant outcomes, including employment, retention, skill gains, credential attainment, wage progression, and advancement milestones using case management and reporting systems.

15.Exercise sound professional judgment, maintain confidentiality, participate in professional development activities, and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Education, Workforce Development, Business, or related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in workforce development, case management, career coaching, human services, education, employment services, or a related field.
• Experience working with individuals facing barriers to employment preferred.
• Experience facilitating workshops, training sessions, or group instruction preferred.

Required

• Valid Driver's License with acceptable driving record
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, successfully pass a motor vehicle record (MVR) review and criminal background check prior to employment, and maintain eligibility under Goodwill Industries of Arkansas' background screening and driving standards throughout employment.