Career Coach

The Career Coach works as part of the program team to identify needs, deliver outcomes and facilitate successful enrollment in training, job placement, and retention activities for Connections to Success Participants. The Career Coach serves as primary coach for the development of participant resumes, cover letters, interview skills and career guidance, while working closely with the Job Developer and Education Specialist.  This work will be conducted both in the community and inside prisons and jails with participants during and after the Connections to Success Personal and Professional Development training (PPD) classes. In addition, the Career Coach will serve as a Life Transformation Coach (LTC) for a small number of participants. The LTC is responsible for cultivating relationships with participants before, during and after they have completed the PPD training. LTC are participant centered, knowledgeable about community resources and act as strong advocates for participants. LTCs maintain regular contact with participants and work with them to achieve both short- and long-term goals identified in their Life Plan. The LTC provides resources, accountability and encouragement as participants pursue their goals. LTCs inspire, engage, and support participants at all stages of their transformation without judgment or prescription using coaching practices and reinforcing PPD curriculum.
 
Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
 

• Research local market and industry trends to identify career opportunities
• Initiates and cultivates relationships with participants, building strong partnerships for career advancement
• Communicates the benefits of successful resume building, interview techniques and other career advancement skills to participants
• Works with participants to prepare, revise and update resumes
• Works with Job Developer and Education Specialist to understand employer needs and makes appropriate participant referrals
• Works closely with Life Transformation Coaches to ensure participant has adequate support to obtain and retain employment (i.e. transportation, childcare, etc.)
• Screens participants for employment placement and works as a liaison between participants and the Job Developer and Education Specialist to ensure participant is work ready
• Works with program team to deliver employment outcomes and ensure job retention
• Coordinates employment related functions including mock interviews, hiring events, tours, Career Connect, and Employer Panels
• Screens participants for eligibility for participation in skill-based training
• Transports participants (when necessary) to PPD class and interviews
• Ability to track, manage and use data in a timely, accurate manner across a variety of database systems for grant reporting purposes
• Completes all required reports and summaries on time and submits to Project Manager
• Collaborates with Program Team on Connect Group activities
• Engage, participate, and contribute to all assigned activities that further the goals of CtS in a variety of settings to include offices, partner organizations, correctional institutions and more 
• Maintain confidentiality of all participant information
• Works one-on-one with participants at all stages of program participation to empower, challenge and support transformation; utilizing PPD curriculum and coaching approach to support cognitive skill development in everyday situations
• Provides accountability and actionable support to participants as they pursue goals outlined in their Life Plan, offering individualized and non-prescriptive support
• Makes timely and appropriate referrals to meet basic needs, advance educational goals and promote employment success; understands scope of service and refers out as needed
• Supports participants in job search activities including applications, resume development, interview preparation and transportation to employers
• Completes surveys, case notes, attendance records, updates employment and education information promptly when participants’ status changes. All interactions documented within 48 hours

• Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, business, or a related field, or equivalent, experience preferred but will consider experience in lieu of degree.
• At least 1 year experience in direct service to a high-risk population preferred
• Knowledge of labor market trends, and major private and public employers in the area
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to persuasively present program and participants needs/outcomes to audiences
• Excellent written communication skills
• Experience in skill-based training programs a plus
• Knowledge of local workforce systems and WIOA
• Ability to work some nights and weekends

• Reports to: Project Coordinator
• Internal Relationships: All Staff, Volunteers, Mentors, Participants
• External Relationships: Participants, Educational Institutions, Employers, Training Providers, Volunteers, Guest Speakers, Partner Organizations, Referring Agencies, Community Organizations and Government Agencies