Career Navigator - Teague

SERCO OF TEXAS - HEART OF TEXAS; Teague (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

SERCO OF TEXAS - HEART OF TEXAS is seeking a Career Navigator located in Teague, Texas. This role involves guiding workforce program customers towards achieving self-sufficiency by conducting intake and providing case management services. The Navigator will also assist job seekers in overcoming employment barriers and facilitate their journey towards meaningful employment.

The ideal candidate should have an Associate Degree in a relevant field and experience in client assessment and case management. Bilingual skills are highly preferred.

Qualifications

• Preferred Associate Degree with coursework in Psychology, Sociology, or related field.
• Two years of related experience performing intake and certification work or a combination of experience and education.

Responsibilities

• Interview participants to assess their training needs and provide information regarding programs.
• Conduct in-depth interviews and skills assessments.
• Develop and maintain Individual Employment Plans for participants.
• Provide career counseling and job coaching to ensure sustained employment.

Skills

Interviewing skills

Client assessment

Career guidance

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

Associate Degree in Psychology, Sociology, or related field

Job description

SUMMARY

Career Navigator guides workforce program customers towards achieving self-sufficiency swiftly and effectively. Engaging with participants, this Navigator conducts intake and case management activities, offering invaluable support services. With efficiency and effectiveness as key drivers, the Career Navigator is committed to performing the essential duties of the role, including delivering comprehensive case management services to a diverse clientele. The goal is to empower customers by removing employment barriers and facilitating their journey towards meaningful employment. Success in this role hinges on the ability to competently perform each outlined duty to satisfaction.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adheres to the mission of SERCO.
• Interviews participants or their authorized representatives to gather information to assess and record information regarding training needs, education, experience, skills, interest and other relevant factors to fully explore clients’ career development opportunities and to provide information regarding programs
• Responsible for the intake process of center customers to determine eligibility for services.
• Coordinate and provide direct case management services to include assisting the job seeker to: develop long- and short-term employment goals;
• Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, and applicants’ legal rights.
• Conduct in-depth interviewing, testing, and skills assessment of eligible participant for entry into career center activities.
• Create an Individual Employment Plan (IEP); and coordinate support and related services with other providers; track the job seeker's progress toward goals and modify the IEP as necessary.
• Interview participants at specified intervals to certify their eligibility for continuing benefits.
• Completes applicant documents and forms accurately and expeditiously.
• Provide career guidance to assist job seekers in making and carrying out career decisions for success in the labor market; identify suitability for and/or barriers to employment/training.
• Maintain a caseload and provide a broad range of case management services including maintaining proper documentation, monitoring of eligibility, customer activity tracking and reporting, conciliation and sanctions (if applicable) conducting staffing as needed with co-case managers as appropriate.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a strategy for each participant to assist in establishing self‑sufficient goals and develop a plan to coordinate available resources including referral to other agencies and businesses to attain desired goals.
• Compile, record, and evaluate personal and financial data to verify completeness and accuracy, and to determine eligibility status.
• Follow standard procedures to administer and evaluate interest, aptitude, and achievement tests and work samples. Provide assessment results to assist participants, etc., in setting appropriate goals and identifying appropriate education and training options.
• Assists in developing materials and conducts workshops, job clubs and other customer group meetings, for all programs.
• Assists customers to access basic self‑help services through effective use of the resource center.
• Assist in resolving problems that may impede participation and/or performance in selected programs; provide follow‑up activities according to program guidelines.
• Keeps abreast of revisions and changes impacting the eligibility of applicants, and reporting requirements.
• Refers applicants who are ineligible or have other training interests to other agencies, training centers or community organizations, as appropriate.
• Oversee job seeker's program participation providing career counseling, job coaching and career mentoring that ensures sustained employment.
• Maintains detailed participant records in compliance with agency’s policies and procedures and prepares required reports.
• May conduct home visits to participants’ place of residence as necessary.
• Document all participant contacts and activities in TWIST system of record to include case notes and post-placement follow up contacts (daily).
• Track target goals to include enrollments, trainings, and entered employment, and provide weekly progress reports.
• Compiles and distributes accurate intake and assessment reports.
• Performs other work-related duties as needed and/or as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Preferred, Associate Degree with coursework in Psychology, Sociology, or related field; or
• Two (2) year of related experience performing intake and certification work, or a combination of experience and education.
• Or has been employed with SERCO in a temporary or a Sub‑E position for at least 6 months.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of programs administered by TWC, TANF, WIOA, etc.
• Ability to properly interview and screen clients for services.
• Experience providing excellent service to job seekers and employers.
• Experience working with unemployed, underemployed, displaced workers, noncustodial parents, ex‑offenders, veterans, individuals with barriers or other economically‑disadvantaged populations.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and document all aspects of services provided.
• Ability to read and interpret eligibility requirements.
• Ability to properly administer and score assessment instruments.
• Ability to prepare reports.
• Ability to accurately calculate income levels.
• Ability to analyze participants’ documents to determine eligibility.
• Skills in establishing rapport with participants.
• Knowledge of assessment tools used in workforce center applications.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics to include addition and subtraction.
• Knowledge of and ability to use personal computer.
• Highly preferred: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Excellent communication skills. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Must treat customers with dignity and respect.
• Must be able to travel within state.
• Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License and provide automobile liability insurance as required by the State of Texas.
• Must have access to reliable transportation in order to make required home visits and travel within service area.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing duties of the job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit for long periods of time. Employee must be able to drive for extended periods of time. Employees must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, must be able to set up display area.
2. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Fast paced, demanding physically and mentally, will be in constant communications.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.