JVS is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency. Our mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers, and to partner with employers to hire, develop and retain productive workforces.
JVS provides a broad range of services including adult education, skills training, job readiness training, job placement and support, and access to post-secondary education. JVS assists employers in their search for well-qualified job applicants and their initiatives to upgrade the skills of their incumbent workforce.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Career Coach is responsible for providing high quality career counseling to immigrants and refugees to connect them to jobs, training, and/or education leading to skills upgrades and career advancement. The Career Coach will support clients with identifying a career path, creating a plan to work towards that career goal, and taking needed steps to advance their careers. The Career coach will also develop strong job leads, and initiate and sustain collaborative partnerships with a variety of internal programs and community organizations to support clients’ employment, education, and/or training placement and goal attainment. Having strong knowledge about issues related to individuals with employment barriers and experience working with people from diverse backgrounds is necessary for this role.Program participants include immigrants and refugees seeking to advance their careers through higher quality employment (new/better jobs), ESOL instruction, education, and/or training. Bilingual or additional language proficiency preferred, particularly in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, or French.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Accountability and Results Focused: Provide goal-based career coaching to caseload of clientsEnroll and intake clients via outreach, including referrals of clients who have recently completed an entry-level program at JVS.Assist clients in initial goal setting, career planning, and training, leading to new or better jobs and/or enrollment in training and education programs, and/or recertification for career advancement.Assist clients in individual, group, and classroom settings in job search-related activities; provides job readiness and vocational training as needed.Escort clients to job interviews and facilitate interview and hiring process, as neededActively develop new and maintain strong connections with community education and training partners, as well as employers as needed to support client and program goals.Provide post-placement services including follow-up with clients and training /education partner or employerEstablish, track and meet program goals (enrollments, placements, retention, job quality, etc.)Build Relationships, Collaboration and Teamwork:Support and promote the mission and philosophy of JVS both internally and outside the agencyEstablish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (e.g. clients/participants, employers, partner organizations, funders, interns, etc.)Connect with programs across the agency to refer interested clients to relevant training and education programs at JVSFor clients enrolled through internal referrals, work collaboratively with the clients’ prior career coach during the transfer processWork as part of a team, sharing training/education/job leads and collaborating on workshops, group-based services, and any other tasks as needed.Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and team-based projectsAssist fellow team members when neededAdministrative/Communication:Maintain accurate, up-to-date information in Salesforce and all databases (i.e. Excel)Organize and maintain files and records in SharePointCommunicate regularly with Supervisor to ensure smooth delivery of servicesContribute to summary reports for employers, funders, JVS leadership and other stakeholdersPerform other duties as assigned or requested
Administrative/Communication:
Maintain accurate, up-to-date information in Salesforce and all databases (i.e. Excel)Organize and maintain files and records in SharePointCommunicate regularly with Supervisor to ensure smooth delivery of servicesContribute to summary reports for employers, funders, JVS leadership and other stakeholdersPerform other duties as assigned or requested
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Associate Degree in Human Services, Business Administration or related field required 1-3 years of experience in workforce development, coaching, or related field preferred 1-3 years of experience working with individuals with barriers to employment strongly desired. Familiarity with career ladders, professional advancement, and training and educational resources preferred Knowledge of refugee and immigrant services, community resources and web-based resources preferred Bilingual or additional language proficiency in Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, or Spanish preferred Strong Microsoft Office Suite / Microsoft 365 skills required Ability to work one to four evening shifts per month preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
· Frequent meetings with clients, colleagues, employers, and other partners. · Service delivery is currently hybrid (in-person at JVS offices and remotely online) and is subject to change. Ability to work in-person at JVS offices as needed weekly is required.· May be requested to work outside of scheduled hours as defined by the needs of the department, including for evening events one to four times month. Occasional travel by public transportation to employer partner locations, JVS satellite location ArLab, and/or for offsite off-site meetings with other partner organizations in and around the greater Boston area.
KEY COMPETENCIES:
· Employer/Partner Relationship Building· Client outcomes· Removing Barriers to Employment· Tracking program progress and reporting· Accountability and Results focused· Adapting to Change· Building Relationships, Collaboration and Teamwork· Cultural Competency and Respect· Communication Skills· Initiative · Planning/Organizing· Promotes Agency
JVS Culture: JVS is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, JVS will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality services. JVS is an employment at-will organization and an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.
