Career Coach (P2E) presso Vita Nova, Inc

JOB SUMMARY

The Career Coach is responsible for implementation and administration of Vita Nova's Pathways to Employment (P2E) Program, an innovative approach to producing better outcomes related to school and work. The goal of this program is to engage youth in a direction that improves their support network, employability skills, and earning potential. The Career Coach provides case management supportive services to disconnected and homeless youth ages 18-25 in Palm Beach County through career exploration, job readiness, life skills, and access to post-secondary opportunities.

Essential duties include but are not limited to: Provide assessment services for basic needs, interest, and aptitude to address needs related to trauma. Create individualized career plans, provide job readiness and life skills training to youth. Identify and connect youth to resources for education and career planning, employment and transportation. Promote youth development and employability by implementing, monitoring and enforcing program expectations.

The Career Coach collaborates with team members across programs to build a healthy, cohesive team culture that embraces and reflects VNI's mission, vision, and the Vita Nova Way. The Career Coach works onsite at the Spot drop-in center and in the community with the ability to travel to and from other locations frequently while partnering with youth to accomplish goals. The Career Coach must be available weekdays 9am-5pm with some evening and weekend work required to meet the needs of the agency and achieve client goals.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist youth in exploring careers and building job-readiness skills to obtain employment and improve access to post-secondary and vocational training opportunities
• Partner with youth in administering assessments to identify client goals, develop individualized career plans, and address any barriers to service
• Facilitate development of participants' support networks and employability skills through written career plans to establish steps toward improved earning potential
• Conduct and/or coordinate with partner agencies to deliver life skills and financial literacy training, job readiness training, and hands-on career technical skill development
• Deliver supportive case management services to assist youth in obtaining vital documents, applying for benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, Social Security), and meeting other needs as applicable
• Coordinate employer/business partnerships to establish structured entry-level employment
• Provide education and career planning to broaden youth knowledge of and access to opportunities for participation in vocational interest areas and post-secondary options, including certificate, trade, associate, bachelor, and graduate programs.
• Assist youth with enrollment in GED, post-secondary or vocational training programs, including tuition fee waiver or financial aid applications and navigation of on-campus educational support
• Conduct pre/post tests to ensure youth gain employability skills are workforce ready, including interview skills, resume writing, communication, and budgeting
• Maintain logs to track transportation provided and/or coordinated to assist youth in attending job interviews or appointments, completing training, or accessing services in the community
• Collect documentation of completed courses and/or relevant licenses, certifications, and credentials earned by program participants to track progress
• Act appropriately and immediately upon critical needs of program participants
• Monitor and review participant engagement to track progress and identify emerging needs
• Develop rapport and maintain supportive relationships with program youth
• Maintain documentation and reporting standards: track census, program eligibility, youth participation and challenges in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
• Utilize internal and CoC systems as applicable to verify eligibility and track program outcomes
• Develop and facilitate group activities to enhance youth engagement at the Spot drop-in center
• Participate in rotating coverage of the Spot room and ensuring youth access to essential needs
• Maintain accurate and orderly client files to include initial intake, basic needs assessment, individualized plans, termination reports, progress case notes and other service delivery documents
• Collect data necessary to meet program outcomes and timely statistical reports
• Represent Vita Nova in the community by actively participating in committees and development activities to create awareness and secure youth resources

This is a sampling of job duties. Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of bachelor's degree in social services or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 1 year of related work experience working with youth/young adults and families preferred, ideally in a human services/housing non-profit organization
• Knowledge of case management and basic documentation
• Ability to provide services with a Trauma Informed Care approach and Positive Youth Development standards
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, written communication, and organizational skills
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and complete tasks accurately and timely with minimal supervision
• Must have a valid Florida driver's license with a clean driving record, reliable transportation, and ability to be added to company insurance policy
• Must be able to pass a Level 2 Background check and drug screen

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Requires physical mobility with or without accommodation to perform essential job functions
• Occasional lifting and/or carrying up to 50 lbs
• Ability to drive an automobile, mini-van, and large passenger van