Re-Entry Career Coach

Position Title: Career Coach

FLSA Code: Exempt
Department: Violence Prevention & Intervention

Report to: Area Manager
Position Description
Under the general direction of the Area Manager, the Career Coach provides direct mentoring, case management, and employment support. The Career Coach will facilitate client trainings, assists with general assessments, and will actively support the employment development needs of participants enrolled in services.
Coaches are responsible for providing job coaching and case management support to participants and adhering to all implementation requirements. Coaches will be energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive team members who positively and productively support high-risk participants. Coaches will also provide trauma-informed Workforce development programming and critical wrap-around services that address key social determinants of health including housing and mental health, to individuals who are at risk of violence and/or involved in the criminal legal system.

Essential Job Function

• Manage a caseload of participants
• Assist job seekers in finding career opportunities, On the Job Training opportunities, and post-secondary options
• Assist with the recruitment, assessment, and job placement
• Assess the employment and workforce development needs of returning citizens, to determine suitability and eligibility
• Complete applicant records including intake application and eligibility documents
• Prepare and manage client file to ensure contract compliance
• Maintain online case management records, client enrollment registration, same day services and monthly case notes for clients enrolled in service
• Assist with the collection of verification of employment, interaction with participants, and other required documentation required to meet contract and units outcomes
• Provide required documentation for approval of supportive services for client transportation, employment, and training needs
• Facilitate a job readiness curriculum to support client’s employment needs
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly reports and required documentation demonstrating progress of weekly and monthly goals
• Prepare and submit required client or employer information to support contract compliance requirements
• Assist with the Intake process to ensure potential clients as serviced in a timely manner
• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of potential clients to determine suitable and eligible clients for services.
• Develop comprehensive services and resources to assist participants with their career and academic planning towards employment goals.
• Meet with each program participant upon enrollment to establish an individualized career training and placement strategy.
• Interviews, advises, and guides a diverse population of clients to ascertain employability; interprets and explains regulations, rules, policies, and procedures to clients; may determine client eligibility for services; advise clients of their rights, benefits, responsibilities, and obligations under program participation.
• Assist participants with establishing their individual employment plan (IEP) towards career goals and served as an advisor as needed.
• Assists participants with creating a professional portfolio.
• Coach participants on making lifestyle changes to sustain successful career development initiatives.
• Develops new resources and/or re-kindle existing resources to create new work sites and employment opportunities.
• Ensures that applications and other forms are completed accurately and thoroughly
• Monitors and evaluates client's progress through program components; monitors service providers through reports and site visits; resolves any problems or provides guidance and counseling; may make phone calls or conduct field visits to investigate clients' progress in various programs designed to assist clients in preparing for and obtaining employment.
• Inputs necessary information into automated system(s); organizes cases; maintains and updates records on client employment, training, and follow-up activities; takes required action(s) established by regulations and/or department policy; and prepares reports on client and program activities.
• Participates in training, pilot and other special projects, committees, and studies.
• Maintains an awareness of local job market and opportunities to assist in providing guidance to clients; may arrange for employment interviews, attend job fairs, conduct special workshops, presentations, group orientations, or perform other training and outreach activities.
• Cultivate relationships with workforce development entities, local economic development councils, area and regional employers
• Meet with housing specialist to discuss participant’s status.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, in a related field such as social work or psychology or from a credited institution in a related field.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and have access to a vehicle on a daily basis
• Prior experience working with individuals previously incarcerated highly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• 3 - 5 years’ experience performing case management, counseling, and/or coaching in a social service setting
• Knowledge of workforce development and employment services for chronically unemployed individuals or individuals experiencing poverty
• Knowledge of local ecosystem of support service providers
• Basic understanding of cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care
• Extensive knowledge working with returning citizens

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of occupations, job skills, and labor market trends, community resources and vocational services that impact public housing residents. Knowledge and understanding of job referral and placement procedures. Knowledge of funder requirements
• Excellent communicator, verbal and written, to individuals and groups.
• Must have moderate proficiency in keyboarding or willingness to receive additional training as needed to improve speed and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image when giving and taking information in writing, in person, and over the phone.
• Must be able to work in and independent manner.
• Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; good time-management, problem-prevention, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work accurately with close attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Flexible and creative. Patience and compassion for consumers.
• Ability to work with co-workers, customers, and outside agencies professionally and tactfully while exhibiting a professional, businesslike appearance and demeanor.

Work Environment
The typical work environment is in an office setting, but may on occasion be outside the office in an outdoor environment. Must be able to travel within the community (i.e., parents’ homes, community agencies, etc.), may require climbing stairs. The noise level will vary depending on the location. External vehicles, office equipment, machinery, telephone and conversations produce noise. May require nights, weekends or holidays. May be stressful due to the demands of the position.