Career Navigator at Fairfield

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

Fairfield (OH)

On-site

USD 42,000 - 62,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid Vacation and Sick

Paid Holidays

403(b) with company match

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries is seeking a skilled Career Navigator to guide participants through assessment, goal setting, and job-search strategies. You will assist with resumes, interview prep, and networking while addressing barriers such as transportation or childcare.

This role emphasizes training program enrollment and post‑placement support. Fluency in Spanish is a plus and experience with diverse populations will help you empower clients toward sustainable employment.

Qualifications

Experience in career counseling, coaching, or human resources.
Strong understanding of job market trends and employer expectations.
Proficient with career assessment tools and job search platforms.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to the needs of justice‑involved, unemployed, and underemployed clients.

Responsibilities

Establish regular check-ins with participants (weekly/bi‑weekly/monthly).
Utilize standardized career assessments to measure interests, skills and values.
Conduct in‑depth interviews to explore career aspirations and challenges.
Review progress on resumes, cover letters, applications and interview prep.
Identify barriers and develop actionable plans to overcome them.
Provide guidance on training programs, financial aid, and enrollment processes.
Offer post‑placement support to aid retention and career advancement.

Skills

Career counseling

Coaching

Job market knowledge

Assessment tools

Communication

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work

Job description

About Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries is a non‑profit organization dedicated to providing job training, employment placement, and support services for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. With a focus on empowering individuals to achieve greater independence and inclusion in the community, Ohio Valley Goodwill has been serving the Greater Cincinnati area for over 100 years.

Job Description Summary:

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Career Navigator to join our team. This role involves providing comprehensive career guidance and support to participants. This will include conducting regular check‑ins, utilizing assessment tools to identify strengths and weaknesses, and setting realistic career goals. The Career Navigator will also assist with job search strategies, including resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, and networking. Additionally, they will provide guidance on training programs, financial aid, and enrollment processes. Post‑placement support, such as job retention assistance and career advancement guidance, is also a critical component of this role.

Knowledge/Abilities

Experience in career counseling, coaching, or human resources. Strong understanding of job market trends and employer expectations. Proficient in using career assessment tools and job search platforms. Knowledge of and sensitivity to the unique needs of the target population - justice‑involved, unemployed, and underemployed clients. Must be an effective communicator, critical thinker, and problem solver. Documented skill in areas of analyzing information, decision making, research skills, verbal communication, written communication, resolving conflict, workflow implementation, human relations, time management, and integrity. Ability to motivate others toward achieving goals.

Fluent in Spanish is a plus!

Responsibilities:

Establish a routine to stay connected with participants, whether it's weekly, bi‑weekly, or monthly.
Utilize assessment tools: Employ standardized career assessments to measure participants' interests, skills, and values.
Conduct in‑depth interviews: Engage in open‑ended conversations to gain insights into their career aspirations, challenges, and recent experiences.
Review job search progress: Discuss their job search activities, including resume and cover letter development, job applications, and interview preparation.
Identify potential barriers: Address any obstacles that may be hindering their progress, such as lack of transportation, childcare issues, or financial constraints.

Conduct Follow-up Career Assessments: Schedule regular check‑ins:

Collaborative goal setting: Work closely with participants to establish realistic and achievable career objectives.
Tailored job search plans: Create personalized strategies that consider their unique strengths, weaknesses, and preferences.
Resume and cover letter development: Provide guidance on crafting effective resumes and cover letters that highlight relevant skills and experiences.
Interview preparation: Conduct mock interviews to practice common interview questions and provide feedback on their responses.
Networking strategies: Offer advice on building professional relationships through online platforms, industry events, and alumni networks.

Training Programs:

Opportunity Accelerator (OA) guidance: Assist participants in navigating the OA platform to explore various career pathway options.
Program selection: Help them identify training programs that align with their career goals and educational needs.
Financial aid and scholarship assistance: Provide information on available financial aid options and help them complete applications.
Enrollment support: Assist with the enrollment process, including paperwork and deadlines.
Academic advising: Offer ongoing support to ensure participants stay on track with their coursework and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Organize Workshops:

Plan and schedule workshops focused on job readiness, soft skills, and industry‑specific training.
Promote these workshops to participants using various communication channels.
Gather participant feedback after each workshop to continuously improve content and delivery.

Job Placement:

Job search assistance: Continuously provide job search resources, including job boards, online job portals, and industry‑specific websites.
Employer networking: Build relationships with local employers to identify potential job openings.
Job referrals: Connect participants with relevant job opportunities based on their skills and experience.
Interview preparation: Offer additional support and guidance as needed, including mock interviews and resume review.
Post‑placement support: Provide ongoing support to ensure job retention and career advancement, such as assistance with workplace challenges or professional development opportunities.
Create a Reporting Calendar: Develop a calendar that outlines important reporting deadlines and milestones based on funder requirements and internal assessment schedules.
Gather Metrics: Regularly collect participation metrics such as attendance, engagement levels, and outcomes related to participant goals.
Compile Reports: Schedule time to compile comprehensive reports that detail program effectiveness, participant progress, and success stories.
Distribute Reports: Share reports with relevant stakeholders, including funders, program staff, and community partners to keep them informed of program successes and areas for improvement.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, vocational rehabilitation, or related field preferred. Three to four years of relevant work experience and Career Navigator Certified through GII may be considered.
At least 3 years of experience in supported employment or vocational rehabilitation.
Strong leadership and team management skills
Knowledge of local labor markets and job development strategies
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Familiarity with relevant regulations and standards in the field of supported employment.

Benefits: