Workforce Development Jobs in Northampton, MA (NOW HIRING)

Description

DEPARTMENT: Youth and Workforce Development  

POSITION TITLE: Workforce Development - BSAS-PFP Career Navigator

LOCATION: Northampton/Travel throughout Western Mass

STATUS: Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Economic Stability Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide case management conducting needs assessments, individualized educational and service plans, works with participants to address stable housing and transportation plans as well as other services to reduce barriers to support successful engagement in education, training and employment and makes referrals to appropriate resources to overcome barriers to support participants in achieving their goals. This Navigator provides support to students enrolled in partner's program including English language learners and participants in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. The Navigator also provides short-term individual and group services to youth and young adults engaged in CAPV programs.   

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Practice a positive youth development, strengths-based and trauma informed approach working participants
2. Provide case management and coaching for participants in CNA programming to support program retention and successful completion 
3. Complete needs assessments, individualized service plans and develops goals in collaboration with participants
4. Serve as liaison to coordinate referrals, services and opportunities for participants
5. Serve as key referral partner to CNA program for right-fit prospective trainees
6. Provide short-term case management for youth and young adults to support them in meeting basic needs, referrals to relevant support, and preparing resumes, cover letters and job applications. 
7. Complete assessments with people experiencing homelessness or housing instability and represent participants at regular case conference meetings.
8. Create and facilitate training and professional development opportunities related to workforce development, work readiness, budgets for participants
9. Attend committee and coalition meetings as assigned, including with partners to provide regular progress updates on enrolled students.
10. Assist with evaluating systems' performance and adjusting practices for continuous quality improvement.
11. Work in multiple databases and systems, complete all required documentation, data collection and case records as required  
12. Inspire and motivate others to achieve increasing levels of performance excellence.
13. Take an active leadership role in valuing and promoting different perspectives and opinions and approaches throughout the agency.
14. Work as a team with partner agencies to support, enhance and promote communication and consistency in the delivery of services.
15. Remote work available complying with the agency's policy.  
16. Required to travel regularly throughout the service area, to all Community Action sites and service locations, and occasionally out of the service area. 
17. Comply with agency and funders' paperwork requirements and procedures
18. Attend regularly scheduled supervision meetings, staff and department-wide meetings, mandatory agency trainings, and participate in professional development activities.
19. Maintains strictest confidentiality.
20. Performs related work as required.

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS??

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Interpersonal communication - verbal and written  
• Conflict resolution, problem-solving, establishing priorities, and navigating change.
• Group facilitation.
• Judgement and decision-making. 
• Practiced organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Openness to understanding participants as experts of their own varied experiences and identities. 
• Skillful relationship building with participants, staff, and community members  
• An understanding and willingness to talk about issues using an approach that is positive, engaging, accessible, and inclusive, such as Positive Youth Development and harm reduction 
• A balance of initiative to work independently and collaboration to work with others 
• Understanding and willingness to learn data capture and tracking methods 
• Promote equity by deconstructing barriers to a racially just system. Cultivate work environments that value truth-telling, courage, vulnerability, space to think and reflect, community-mindedness, hope, and openness to difficult conversations.  

Key Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of social services, advocacy, and navigating resources  
• Knowledge of Franklin and Hampshire counties and North Quabbin regional organizations and resources  
• Experience working with marginalized communities and individuals with low incomes  
• Experience working with people who have low incomes, are young parents, people of color, queer, trans, disabled, housing insecure, and/or English language learners
• Experience with data management, data capture, tracking methods and analysis for outcome measurements  
• Computer skills (Microsoft Suite-Outlook Email, Calendar, and Teams chat, Discord, Zoom, and databases 

To Qualify:

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• Three years' experience providing individual support/case management to youth and/or adults
• Bi-lingual in English and Spanish is a highly valued skill for this role.
• CPR/First Aid (will be provided if needed)
• Reliable transportation, Valid MA Driver's License, and ability to travel throughout Western Massachusetts. 

We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.??We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying. Please be clear and specific in application materials how your background, lived experience, and transferable skills are relevant to this position.?? 

AA/EOE/ADA

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Criminal Offender Record check (C.O.R.I.) prior to hire and every three years. Evidence of a good driving record and ability to be covered under Community Action's non-owned and hired vehicle policy.