Career Navigator

Position Summary

Reporting to the Career Center Manager, the Career Navigator will provide WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Adult and Dislocated Worker career services through the network of America’s Job Center (AJC) (also referred to as career centers) located throughout San Diego County. This role involves providing career services to program participants to facilitate their growth and development, participation in core program activities, and support in achieving performance outcomes resulting in meaningful job placements.

The Career Navigator supports Client Services and Programs departments with assigned initiatives and collaborates with internal staff, governmental agencies, and community partners serving common participants. The Career Navigator adheres to operational policies on participation criteria and compiles necessary reporting on program-specific metrics and is a subject matter expert in multiple public service areas, including WIOA or workforce development-related programs, Employment Development Department (EDD) services, Department of Rehabilitation, and CalWORKS & Cal Fresh services.

The role requires in-person and on-site excellence in tracking performance goals and a continuous focus on enhancing client satisfaction at an assigned career center.

Essential Functions

• Provide career coaching and run necessary reports to help case management.
• Develop and implement Individual Employment Plans (IEPs) in partnership with participants to guide next steps and manage progress towards goals.
• Help identify which program track fits each participant’s goals, needs, and interests based on the IEP and assessments provided.
• Connect participants to workshops and next steps of individual planning sessions.
• Conduct initial assessments (including career interests and training readiness) for participants.
• Coach and assist job participants in identifying training opportunities within the WIOA training resources.
• Provide guidance and coaching to support participants in accessing occupational training and conducting job searches.
• Ensure each participant is equipped with the basic employment interpersonal skills necessary to successfully participate in training and find and retain employment.
• Assist participants with training applications, as needed.
• Discuss participant progress with training providers, as appropriate, and ensure support is in place to ensure the participant successfully completes training programs.
• Provide or link participants to services that alleviate participants’ immediate emergency basic needs and stressors or barriers that prevent them from meeting program goals.
• Maintain regular in-person contact (averaging 6 contacts per quarter) with program participants until the participant achieves employment goal and/or disengages from the program.
• Participate in regional training and case manager meetings.
• Ensure that exceptional customer service is provided to each participant.
• Follow the internal policies and procedures that are in the Workforce Partnership’s Operations Manual.
• Meet or exceed local performance measures that are set each program quarter and year.
• Track participant progress in CalJOBS and Salesforce databases.
• Create an environment in which participants are motivated to increase their self-sufficiency through education and increased employment skills.
• Keep accurate written records and case files that are necessary to meet program requirements.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of program activities and, if necessary, recommend modifications to processes and procedures and submit to leadership.
• Work alongside the Training team to align training opportunities for participants.
• Work in partnership with interdepartmental teams to connect to specific training opportunities and create talent pipelines for participants.
• Be familiar with the different program options available in the Partner Portal and make referrals for participants.
• Attend internal and external meetings with training providers, partners, and stakeholders representing the Workforce Partnership’s mission and vision.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human services, counseling,…