Career Navigator - Youth Training

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains in the Denver area seeks a Career Navigator to provide individualized career navigation for youth pursuing HVAC-related pathways and other training opportunities. You will guide intake, training, and job placement while coordinating with providers and employers to support progress and retention.

HVAC experience is not required, and the role emphasizes client-centered, trauma-informed care, with in-person work in the Denver Metro area and occasional remote

Qualifications

• Assess client skills, strengths and barriers, coordinating with service providers.
• Coach clients on applications and interviews, and connect to resources.
• Guide clients through intake, training, and job search processes.
• Provide post-employment follow-up and support.

Responsibilities

• Recruit program participants and coordinate with partners.
• Conduct initial intake and develop a career plan with each client.
• Identify suitable training or educational programs aligned with goals.
• Assist with training enrollment, documentation, and financial aid paperwork.
• Facilitate referrals to childcare, transportation, and other supports.
• Assist with job applications, resumes, and interview prep.
• Provide ongoing follow-up after placement and coaching.

Skills

Active Listening

Social Perceptiveness

Complex Problem Solving

Critical Thinking

Reading Comprehension

Writing

Service Orientation

Computer Skills

Education

Associate degree

Two years of college

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

This position will primarily serve participants located in the Southeast Metro Denver area and will support youth enrolled in HVAC training and employment pathways. Responsibilities include recruiting youth interested in HVAC careers, providing ongoing one-on-one support to participants throughout HVAC training to promote retention and successful completion, assisting participants with job upgrades within the skilled trades, and helping participants secure employment in HVAC careers. The Navigator will work with participants from initial intake and assessment through training, job search, onboarding, and post-employment follow-up. The position will collaborate closely with training providers, employers, and community partners to ensure participants are supported throughout HVAC training and job placement.

HVAC experience not required.

Job Summary & Responsibilities

The Career Navigator will provide individualized career navigation services for program participants seeking career advancement. This could include assisting clients to obtain a job upgrade within the same field, coaching them on entering a new field, or helping them to access training or educational programs that will help them achieve their career goals. The navigator will work with clients from the initial intake and assessment stage; throughout any training, education, or upskilling programs; and during job search and any onboarding/new hire processes. Navigator will also be available to provide post-employment follow-up as needed.

Required Competencies

Occupational Competencies

• Provide employment services: Familiarity with assessing client skills, strengths, barriers, and experience; coordination with other service providers, and advocacy for support on behalf of and in collaboration with individuals or families.
• Hiring facilitation: Familiarity with standard hiring processes, ability to coach clients on completing successful job applications and interviews, and follow up with employers.
• Coordinate services: Knowledge of currently available community resources, services, and supports, and ability to connect individuals or families to appropriate resources to meet their needs through referral, application, or enrollment assistance.
• Deliver services within diverse communities: Skills and sensitivity in working with individuals and families from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Apply Person-Centered Care: Treats individuals as partners in planning, developing and accessing care to ensure services are appropriate to their needs. Puts clients at the heart of all decisions.
• Meet standards of practice: Familiarity with or ability to follow practice standards, including applicable local, state and federal regulations and guidance, and contractual requirements.
• Provide crisis intervention: Experience with crisis management, problem solving, and mediation best practices.
• Communicate professionally: Ability to communicate professionally and cooperate with colleagues, other professionals, community partners, and other individuals involved in the care and coordination of services.

Foundational Competencies

• Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and attempting to understand the personal and cultural reasons for their reactions.
• Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Computer skills: ability to work in Word, Excel, Outlook, and other applications.

EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES

• Conducts outreach and coordinates with community partners to recruit new program participants. This may include public presentations, community-based events, or distributing program literature to reach potential program participants.
• Conducts initial assessment with each client, including skills, education, and experience, and to determine strengths and opportunities for growth. Using information obtained during assessment, navigator works with each client to create a career plan.
• Assists clients to identify potential training or educational programs that align with their career goals.
• Provides hands-on support to clients throughout the training application and enrollment process, including gathering any documentation required for enrollment such as educational records or information needed for financial aid applications.
• Provides clients with referrals to a variety of community resources, such as childcare, food pantries, and transportation or utilities assistance, to ensure they have the supports necessary to complete training and are ready to secure and maintain employment.
• Assists clients with job placement, including completing job application completion, creating resumes, preparing for job interviews, and identifying potential employers.
• Provides post-employment follow-up support and coaching as needed to clients.
• Collaborates and communicates with program partners to ensure seamless program delivery using a client-centered and trauma-informed approach.

TRANSPORTATION

Must maintain a valid driver's license and carry personal auto liability insurance at the level of $100,000/300,000/100,000.

• Frequent regional travel. May be required to transport clients in personal vehicle.

Required Certifications

• Associates degree or two years of college preferred; Candidates with a high school diploma and two years of transferable work/volunteer experience may be considered.

SCHEDULE

In-person in the Denver Metro area 4 days per week with 1 remote day. Occasional evening/weekend work for client appointments

Keywords

career specialist, career coach, case manager, employment adviser

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.