Community Resource Navigator Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

The Resource Navigator will work in partnership with Career Coaches and other Detroit at Work (DAW) staff to support jobseekers in navigating and connecting to essential services required to remove barriers. These can include transportation, childcare, housing, legal aid, adult basic education, or expungement supports. The Resource Navigator will be the expert in understanding their Career Centers various partners and the supports they offer, including eligibility and referral process. The incumbent will be knowledgeable in DAW's flexible supportive services policy.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Assists customers to identify the best community resources available to meet their needs and supports referrals to those resources, including warm-handoffs to the partner organizations.
2. Develops and fosters relationships with organizations that provide barrier removal/essential services that are in proximity to the career center.
3. Creates a network of referral organizations and a resource directory to assist customers in obtaining services, as well as supports use of the Resource Map within their Center (launching July 2021), including training staff on its use, keeping information accurate and sharing information with customers.
4. Keeps information on partner organizations updated, by making routine contact to verify services, eligibility requirements and referral processes.
5. Identifies gaps within the referral partner network and works in collaboration with DESC Implementation Coordinator to identify potential partners.
6. Advocates for and connects customers to community services, and assists in assessing available support services.
7. Follows-up with customers and partner organizations on status of barrier/referral resolution, and provides updates to career coaches.
8. Maintains accurate and up-to-date participant activity data, supportive services and other related information into data systems.
9. Assists in maintaining an accurate record (file) system for each program participant.
10. Provides participants with public benefits information and trains as a Navigator in the MI Bridges system.
11. Contributes to the team effort by performing other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

1. High school degree or equivalent (GED); Associate Degree or a combination of education and experience in social work, counseling, human services, or related field preferred.
2. Computer skills necessary to utilize word processing and spreadsheet software applications and maintain required documentation.
3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate, build professional relationships with, and provide accurate information to community partners and program participants.
4. Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods.
5. Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
6. Mental ability to handle pressures related to performing multiple tasks requiring concentration and attention to detail with frequent disruptions due to people and/or telephone calls.
7. Must have a valid Michigan driver's license and reliable means of transportation to travel to various locations outside of the office.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time, and have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a phone, computer keyboard, and other office equipment. Must be able to lift a minimum of 10 pounds.

Work Environment: This job operates in a normal school environment with a noise level, which is at times, moderately loud with little discomfort due to noise, dirt, dust and the like. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person assigned to this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties and responsibilities that may be performed by a person so classified. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.