Career Navigator (Community Housing)

Northern Virginia Family Service; Falls Church, Fairfax (VA, VA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) is seeking a Career Navigator within the Community Housing team's Rental Subsidy & Services Program (RSSP). The role supports TANF-eligible clients toward employment, financial stability, and self-sufficiency through coaching, readiness activities, and connections to resources.

You will assess client needs, create tailored employment plans, coach on resume and interview skills, and connect clients to training, housing resources, and community services.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of related experience in coaching, adult education, workforce development, or similar fields.
• Fluency in English required; bilingual in Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, or other languages a plus.
• Experience using customer management or case management systems such as Apricot.

Responsibilities

• Provide Career Navigation and Employment Support.
• Conduct individualized assessments to identify clients' skills, employment readiness, goals, and barriers to employment.
• Develop personalized employment plans with realistic goals and action steps.
• Assist clients with resume and cover letter development, applications, and interview prep.
• Provide ongoing career coaching to strengthen workplace professionalism and confidence.
• Connect clients to employment, education, training, and credentialing opportunities.
• Build trusting relationships with clients and provide individualized guidance.
• Identify barriers to employment including transportation, childcare, housing, and finances.
• Coordinate workshops on career readiness and employment skills.
• Represent NVFS at community outreach events to raise awareness of services.
• Maintain TANF eligibility documentation and ensure program compliance.
• Maintain accurate client records, employment plans, and required documentation.

Skills

Career coaching

Employment readiness

Client relations

Communication

Tools

Apricot

Case management software

Job description

Join the NVFS Family : We are looking to hire a Career Navigator to join our Community Housing team's Rental Subsidy & Services Program (RSSP)! In this role, you will help individuals and families eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) achieve meaningful employment, economic stability, and long-term self-sufficiency. Through individualized career coaching, employment readiness support, and connections to education, training, and community resources, you will empower clients to overcome barriers and build pathways toward sustainable employment.

Why This Role Matters: Meaningful employment is an important step toward financial independence and long-term stability. As a Career Navigator, you will play a meaningful role in helping individuals and families identify their strengths, develop career readiness skills, and access opportunities that support their professional growth. Your work will help clients build confidence, overcome employment barriers, and achieve greater economic independence, contributing to stronger families and communities throughout Northern Virginia.

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 starting salary in the low 50s and is a hybrid position.

In this role, you will :

Provide Career Navigation and Employment Support

Conduct individualized assessments to identify clients' skills, interests, employment readiness, career goals, and barriers to employment.

Develop personalized employment plans with realistic goals, milestones, and action steps to support career advancement.

Assist clients with resume and cover letter development, job applications, interview preparation, and job search strategies.

Provide ongoing career coaching to strengthen workplace professionalism, confidence, self-advocacy, and job retention skills.

Connect clients to employment, education, workforce training, and credentialing opportunities aligned with their goals.

Support Clients and Community Partnerships

Build trusting relationships with clients and provide individualized guidance to support their employment and career goals.

Identify barriers to employment, including transportation, childcare, housing, financial challenges, and technology access.

Connect clients with community resources, including financial counseling, education, childcare, housing, transportation, and other supportive services.

Collaborate with employers, training providers, community organizations, and internal NVFS teams to expand employment opportunities and coordinate services.

Coordinate and facilitate workshops focused on career readiness, employment skills, and client needs.

Represent NVFS at community outreach events to increase awareness of available workforce development services.

Maintain High-Quality Services and Program Compliance

Determine and document TANF eligibility during intake and outreach activities in accordance with program guidelines.

Explain program expectations, participation requirements, and available services to clients.

Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential client records, employment plans, and required program documentation.

Track client engagement, employment placements, job retention, credential attainment, and other program outcomes.

Monitor client progress and adjust employment plans as needed to support successful outcomes.

Ensure services comply with TANF regulations, funding requirements, and NVFS guidelines.

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

At least two to three (2–3) years of related experience in coaching, adult education, workforce development, or demonstrated success building relationships.

Experience serving individuals facing significant barriers, low-income or vulnerable populations, non-English-speaking individuals, or adults with limited literacy skills. This may include volunteer, internship, or personal lived experiences.

Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds while maintaining professional boundaries.

Experience using customer management or case management systems, such as Apricot.

Oral and written fluency in English required; bilingual fluency in Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, or other client languages a plus.

Certification in workforce development or resume writing a plus.

Familiarity with government-funded programs a plus.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of background checks upon hire.

Must have reliable transportation to visit designated community locations for client meetings, as needed.

May be called upon to work beyond normal working hours.

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.

Skills

Required

Experience

Preferred

Computer-Microsoft Office Suite Advanced

3 years: Experience in related field such as coaching, adult education or workforce development.

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.