Career Navigator

Northern Virginia Family Services; Vienna (VA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) is seeking a Career Navigator to join the NVFS Workforce Development team. You will provide personalized career coaching, employment guidance, and connect TANF-eligible individuals to education, training, and community resources.

As a trusted coach and advocate, you will help clients set goals, overcome barriers, and navigate job searches, resumes, interviews, and professional networks.

Qualifications

• At least 2–3 years of experience in coaching, adult education, workforce development or related relationship-building roles.
• Experience serving high-barrier/low income/vulnerable populations or non-English speakers; volunteering or personal experience counts.
• Oral and written fluency in English; bilingual language skills in client languages are a plus.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with diverse clients while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Digital and technical proficiency including MS Office; familiarity with CRM/Case Management systems.
• Certification in workforce development or resume writing is a plus.
• Familiarity with government-funded programs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized career coaching and employment guidance to help clients set and achieve goals.
• Assess clients' education, work history, skills, interests, barriers to employment.
• Develop personalized employment plans with realistic milestones and growth paths.
• Guide clients through career exploration, training, and labor market opportunities.
• Support all stages of the job search: resumes, applications, interview prep, networking, online tools.
• Coach clients on workplace professionalism, confidence, and self-advocacy.

Skills

English fluency

Bilingual (Spanish/Amharic/Arabic)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

CRM/Apricot

Job description

Join the NVFS Family: We are looking for a Career Navigator to join the NVFS Workforce Development team! If you're passionate about empowering individuals to achieve meaningful employment and long-term self-sufficiency, we'd love to meet you. In this role, you'll partner with TANF-eligible individuals and families, providing personalized career coaching, employment guidance, and connections to education, training, and community resources that help remove barriers to success.

At NVFS, you're more than a Career Navigator. You're a trusted coach, advocate, and partner, helping individuals build confidence, achieve their career goals, and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Why This Role Matters:

Every successful job placement creates new opportunities for individuals and families. Through your guidance and support, participants gain the skills, resources, and confidence they need to achieve lasting economic stability and long-term success.

Benefits and Compensation : We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing.

This position has a salary range in the low to mid 50s and is a hybrid role.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Provide individualized career coaching and employment counseling to help clients identify and achieve their career goals.
• Assess clients' education, work history, skills, interests, strengths, and barriers to employment.
• Develop personalized employment plans with realistic goals, milestones, and career advancement opportunities.
• Guide clients through career exploration, workforce training, and labor market opportunities.
• Support every stage of the job search, including resumes, cover letters, applications, interview preparation, networking, and online job search tools.
• Coach clients on workplace professionalism, confidence, self-advocacy, and job retention skills.

Client Support & Advocacy

• Build trusting relationships that encourage client engagement and long-term success.
• Identify barriers to employment and connect clients with community resources and supportive services, including workforce training, education, financial counseling, mental health, housing, transportation, childcare, and volunteer/work experience opportunities.
• Monitor client progress and adjust employment plans as needed.

TANF Program Administration & Compliance

• Determine and document TANF eligibility and ensure participants understand program requirements and available services.
• Maintain accurate case documentation and confidentiality in compliance with TANF regulations and NVFS guidelines.
• Track participant engagement, employment outcomes, credential attainment, and other required performance measures while working toward program goals.
• Coordinate workshops, collaborate with staff, volunteers, and community partners, and represent NVFS at outreach events.
• Participate in team meetings, maintain client files, stay informed on NVFS programs, and perform other duties as assigned.

Your Background: We understand that you may obtain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences.

• At least 2-3 years of experience in a related field such as coaching, adult education, workforce development or proven success building relationships.
• Experience serving high-barrier/low income/vulnerable populations or non-English speaking and low literacy adults; this may include volunteering, internships, and/or personal lived experiences.
• Oral and written fluency in English; bilingual language fluency in client languages (such as Spanish, Amharic and/or Arabic) a plus.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Digital and technical proficiency, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working with a Customer Management System or a Case Management System, such as Apricot.
• Certification in workforce development or resume writing a plus
• Familiarity working with government-funded programs a plus

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of background checks and drug screening required upon hire
• May be called upon to work beyond normal working hours
• Must have reliable transportation to visit designated community locations, as needed, for client meetings

Working at Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) means doing work that matters every day because of the difference you will make in the lives of children and families in Northern Virginia. NVFS’ breadth, depth and scope of services offer the resources and support to ensure that everyone in need, at every stage of life, maximizes their potential and fully contributes to a thriving community. At NVFS, we value every team member’s contribution and our collective impact on our clients and the community. NVFS is an equal opportunity employer, E-Verify participant and drug-free workplace.

Qualifications

Skills

Required

Computer-Microsoft Office Suite Advanced

Experience

Required

2-3 years: Experience in a related field such as coaching, adult education, workforce development or proven success building relationships.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.