Employment Coach, Full-time presso Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc.

Description

Make a Meaningful Impact as an Employment Coach with Goodwill’s Strides Program
At Goodwill, we believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive in the workplace. We are looking for a passionate, self-motivated, and compassionate Employment Coach to join our Strides Program, a supported employment initiative that helps individuals with mental health challenges find and retain meaningful employment. If you’re someone who is eager to help others succeed, has a strong understanding of mental health challenges, and thrives in a community-focused role, we would love to meet you!

Why Work at Goodwill? Goodwill is more than just a workplace – it's a community of passionate individuals dedicated to making a positive difference. As an Employment Coach with the Strides Program, you will empower participants to overcome barriers, gain valuable job skills, and navigate the challenges of maintaining long-term employment. This is an opportunity to work closely with individuals and employers to foster success, independence, and growth.

What You’ll Do: As an Employment Coach, your role will be pivotal in guiding participants toward employment readiness, job placement, and long-term workplace success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Employment Coaching & Job Retention: Help participants build job skills, adjust to workplace cultures, and ensure long-term job success through coaching, mentoring, and progress monitoring.
• Collaboration with Employers: Serve as a liaison between employers, participants, and Goodwill staff to align the needs of both the business and the participants’ goals. Support job placement efforts and help participants connect with job      opportunities.
• Person-Centered Planning: Develop individualized plans to support participants’ career goals, skill-building, and overcoming barriers to employment. Help participants access the training, services, and resources they need to thrive.
• Advocacy & Support: Provide ongoing employment counseling and advocacy to ensure participants' needs are met, and adjust plans as necessary to address challenges.

Who We’re Looking For:The ideal candidate for this role is someone who combines empathy with a results-driven attitude. You’re someone who enjoys problem-solving and is deeply committed to making a real difference in the lives of others. We are seeking candidates who bring the following qualities and qualifications:

Key Attributes:

• Empathy & Compassion: A genuine desire to help others succeed and a deep understanding of mental health challenges.
• Self-Motivated & Goal-Oriented: Proactive, organized, and goal-focused with the ability to set clear objectives for participants and achieve them independently.
• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Skilled at providing solutions and adjusting plans based on participants' progress and changing needs.
• Strong Communication & Advocacy Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with participants, employers, and internal teams while advocating for participants’ needs.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Comfortable working across departments and with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the success of participants and the Strides Program.
• Organizational Skills: Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain accurate participant data and documentation.

What’s in It for You?

• Competitive Pay: $22.00 per hour, with full benefits (health, dental, vision, retirement, and more!).
• Flexible Schedule: A flexible work schedule to accommodate the needs of the individuals you serve.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for personal and professional development, including training and certifications.
• Supportive Work Environment: A culture of collaboration, respect, and empowerment, where your contributions will directly impact the lives of individuals in your community.

Ready to Make a Difference?If you are passionate about empowering individuals to succeed in the workforce and thrive in a flexible, community-based role, we encourage you to apply! Become a part of Goodwill's mission to help people achieve their potential through meaningful employment.

Apply Now and start your journey with Goodwill’s Strides Program! 

Requirements

Experience & Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in human services, Education, or a related field.
• Experience: At least one year of experience in a human services setting, particularly supporting individuals facing disabilities or mental health challenges. Previous experience providing direct services like employment counseling, coaching, or mentoring is preferred.
• Transportation: Must have reliable transportation to visit community sites and employers.
• Technical Skills: Comfortable using case management software and tracking systems for participant progress and data documentation.