Career Navigator

The Career Navigator develops, places, and monitors paid and unpaid work experience opportunities (such as internships, job shadowing opportunities, apprenticeships etc.) for out-of-school youth enrolled in the IRC's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Out-of-School Youth (OSY) programs.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, develop, and maintain a pipeline of subsidized and unsubsidized Work Experience (WEX) worksites with employers across a range of industries and occupations and with a focus on high quality sectors such as healthcare, IT, transportation etc.
• Negotiate and execute WEX Worksite Agreements with employers that define job duties, supervision, schedule, wage (if subsidized), duration, and learning objectives, in accordance with WIOA regulations and local workforce board policy.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the Employer of Record (EoR) regarding WEX placements, wages and schedules.
• Assess each participant's job readiness, interests, and ISS/career goals, in coordination with the assigned Case Manager, to match youth to an appropriate WEX placement as well as collaborate across teams to support participants' transition toward unsubsidized employment, training, or education.
• Conduct new-hire orientation with youth and employers covering workplace expectations, safety, attendance, and program rules, including prohibitions on overtime and hour limits/caps per participant.
• Monitor each WEX placement through supervisor check-ins, and participant progress reviews; document observations and independently address and resolve performance or conduct issues as they arise.
• Track hours, placements, and outcomes for each participant against program limits (e.g., maximum allotted WEX hours) and WIOA performance measures, and maintain accurate records in the required state case management system (e.g. CalJOBS) and IRC program databases.
• Recommend improvements to WEX processes, tools, and employer recruitment strategies.
• Build and sustain employer relationships and serve as the primary point of contact for worksite supervisors throughout the work experience.
• Participate in Program team meetings, partner meetings, funder meetings and required WIOA/grant trainings.
• Other duties as assigned to support work experience development, placement, and monitoring goals.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences, human services, business, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience; experience with federally funded youth programs preferred.
• At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in job development, employer relations, career counseling, case management, or youth workforce programs; direct experience with WIOA work experience, on-the-job training, or subsidized employment strongly preferred.
• Experience working with out-of-school youth with barriers such as school dropout, foster care or justice system involvement, homelessness, disability, or pregnant/parenting status strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of WIOA and the WIOA youth program elements, or ability to learn program regulations and local workforce board policy quickly.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with employers and negotiate worksite agreements that balance employer needs with participant learning goals.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for worksite agreements, timesheet processing, payroll coordination, and case file compliance, with the ability to independently manage multiple placements and competing deadlines.
• Working knowledge of applicable labor laws and basic workplace safety standards.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; comfortable engaging employers, youth, and families.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with a state workforce case management system (e.g., CalJOBS) a plus.
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in one or more languages spoken by the local client population strongly preferred (e.g. Spanish, Dari).
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel locally to visit worksites and meet with employers and youth.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends to accommodate youth and employer schedules.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary ($29.10 - $30/hour)
• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:
• 10 paid sick leave
• 10 U.S. holidays
• 20-25 generous paid time off based on role and tenure
• Medical insurance starting at $163/month
• Dental starting at $6.50/month
• Vision starting at $5/month
• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter)
• A 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting)
• Disability and life insurance
• An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families