Employment Navigator & Vocational Coach

New American Association Of Massachusetts; Lynn (MA); On-site; Full time

Job description

Job Description:
The Employment Case Manager (ECM) will play a crucial role in connecting clients with suitable employment opportunities. The ECM will perform tasks aimed at addressing the barriers that prevent clients from obtaining and maintaining successful employment. The role involves assisting clients in creating resumes, searching for job openings, filling out job applications, preparing for job interviews, and navigating hiring processes. The ECM will network with employers and finding local job openings. The ECM’s goal is to assess clients’ skills and abilities, place clients in vocational trainings as needed, and ultimately place them in jobs that match their qualifications.
The ECM will collaborate with other Employment Case Managers, Community Case Managers, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Instructors, Youth Program staff, and Program Managers. ECM will attend weekly staff meetings and regular intra- and inter-team meetings. This position will report to site ESSP Program Manager.
Responsibilities:
Assessments: Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify clients’ skills, interests, and employment barriers.
Individualized Plans: Develop individualized employment plans for clients, outlining specific goals, training needs, and a timeline for job placement.
ESOL Placement: Sign clients up for digital literacy trainings, assist in facilitating digital literacy trainings, distribute tablets and computers, guide clients through ESOL class placement process, and monitor clients’ ESOL class attendance.
Cultural Orientation & Job Readiness: Provide training and coaching to clients on essential job readiness skills, including American workplace etiquette and communication with coworkers and supervisors. Coaching can also include social interactions in English such as making appointments, doctor visits, parent-teacher conferences, taking the bus, going shopping, etc.
Employment Search: Assist clients in job searching activities, including job matching, resume writing, filling out job applications, interview scheduling and preparation, hiring paperwork, navigating on-the-job training, and job placement maintenance.
Networking: Build and maintain relationships with local employers and businesses to identify job openings and secure employment opportunities for clients. Attend job fairs and visit job sites as needed.
Vocational Training: Research, connect with, and arrange clients’ placement in vocational trainings, education, and skill development programs to improve clients’ qualifications and employability. Trainings include Home Health Aide and Certified Nursing Assistant programs, manufacturing trainings, ServSafe and other hospitality preparation courses, driving schools for private and commercial drivers’ licenses, etc.
Case Management: Provide ongoing case management support to clients in areas such as internet access, childcare, transportation, and work-related accommodations to help them succeed in their jobs. Refer clients to internal and external services as necessary. Home visits may be required on occasion.
Advocacy: Act as an advocate for clients in interactions with potential employers and public agencies to ensure fair hiring practices and access to job opportunities.
Documentation: Collect and save clients’ eligibility documents. Write and maintain case notes in case management tracking system about clients’ progress, services provided, clients’ needs, and job placements.
Reporting: Contribute to ESSP program reports on clients’ participation in the program, job placement, and outcomes, for management and funding purposes.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., psychology, social work, counseling, or vocational rehabilitation).
• Speaks at least one additional language (preferably Spanish, Haitian Creole, Swahili, Dari/Pashto, or Arabic)
• Experience in employment counseling, vocational rehabilitation, case management, or a related field.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Able to balance multiple competing priorities.
• Knowledge of job search techniques, labor market trends, and employment resources.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal employment programs and services preferred

Our Mission

The mission of the New American Association of Massachusetts (NAAM) is to assist newly arriving refugees and immigrants with integration into American society, to promote economic stability , to build bridges with the larger community, and to foster the maintenance of refugees’ and immigrants’ cultural identities.

In support of this mission, NAAM pursues the following goals:

• To educate newcomers about American society and culture;
• To promote civic participation and engagement with the larger community;
• To provide much-needed social services, advocacy, and economic development assistance, and to facilitate access to mainstream social services;
• To provide avenues for learning, cultural expression and cultural outreach.

NAAM conducts an ESL school which will develop a site-specific curriculum and provide skilled instructors to coordinate and implement this program. At the present time, NAAM is working closely with other agencies as part of the New American Center (NAC) to provide social services and economic development opportunities.

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