Youth Pathways & Career Readiness Coordinator

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan ForgivenessProgram

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Health, dental, and life insurance

15 days annual (vacation) leave per yr

15 days of sick leave per year

13 paid holidays

State retirement plans and deferred'

Discount Programs such as TicketatWork

Job summary

State of South Carolina DJJ is seeking a career navigator to coordinate and deliver individualized career, education, workforce readiness, and life-pathway navigation services for youth involved with DJJ.

You will assess strengths, interests, goals, and barriers; develop pathway plans; connect youth to education, training, credentialing, employment, and community resources; and maintain records to support positive outcomes.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and experience in student services programs.
• Knowledge of the principles and theories of student development and educational administration.
• Knowledge of the techniques of individual, group and career counseling (CDF).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Highly organized and ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse groups and individuals within DJJ and externally.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and procedures relevant to the area of employment; ability to exercise judgment and discretion.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Must have ability to work in a high-stress, high-traffic/fast-paced environment; and flexibility to work some evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive career and education assessments to identify youth interests, strengths, goals, skills, barriers, and service needs.
• Develops and maintains individualized pathway plans that establish measurable goals, action steps, timelines, referrals, and follow-up activities.
• Assists youth with career exploration, labor market awareness, goal setting, and transition planning to support long-term educational and employment success.
• Provides and coordinates career readiness, educational support, and life skills services including resume development, job search assistance, interview preparation, workplace communication, financial literacy education, leadership development, decision‑making skills, and access to high school completion, GED, postsecondary education, occupational training, and credentialing opportunities.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with employers, workforce-development agencies, technical colleges, adult education providers, apprenticeship programs, community organizations, and other service partners.
• Coordinates referrals, warm handoffs, career exposure activities, work-based learning experiences, employer engagement opportunities, internships, occupational training, and employment connections for participating youth.
• Coordinates implementation of career readiness and workforce development programming.
• Collaborates with DJJ staff and stakeholders to identify eligible youth, coordinate services, address barriers to participation, ensure accessibility of services, and support continuous engagement.
• Participates in program planning, staff meetings, training activities, and operational initiatives to enhance youth outcomes.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of youth contacts, pathway plans, referrals, service activities, measurable milestones, and outcomes in agency-approved systems.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports program data related to youth participation, educational advancement, credential attainment, employment outcomes, and workforce development activities.
• Ensures compliance with confidentiality, records management, and agency reporting requirements.
• Participates in required training, professional development activities, staff meetings, and special initiatives to maintain current knowledge of workforce development, juvenile justice, education, and career readiness practices.
• Assists with administrative functions, special projects, program implementation activities, and agency initiatives.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Prevention and Intervention Director to support departmental goals, strategic priorities, and operational needs.

Skills

Relationship-building

Organization

Communication

Diversity sensitivity

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

State of South Carolina DJJ is seeking a career navigator to coordinate and deliver individualized career, education, workforce readiness, and life-pathway navigation services for youth involved with DJJ.

You will assess strengths, interests, goals, and barriers; develop pathway plans; connect youth to education, training, credentialing, employment, and community resources; and maintain records to support positive outcomes.