Career Navigator

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania and North Central West Virginia is a nonprofit organization that funds job training, education, and other community programs by selling donated clothing and household items in Goodwill stores and online. We offer life-changing work on a mission-minded team. We are 1,000 working as one and each of us is essential to helping our community thrive. For three years running, Goodwill has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s “Most Inspiring Companies”.

We offer a wide range of career opportunities ranging from entry-level to management in retail, human services, and administrative fields. Learn more about working at Goodwill. You can help. We can show you how.

DIVISION OVERVIEW:

Goodwill SWPA’s Human Services division is responsible for making Goodwill’s overarching vision a reality: enhancing people’s dignity and quality of life by strengthening communities and helping those with barriers to employment reach their full potential through workforce education and support. The Human Services division fulfills this mission providing high quality, outcome-oriented services for program participants by utilizing a comprehensive service delivery model covering a broad array of social programs.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

Within the Human Services Division is the Workforce Development Department. The Workforce Development Department is responsible for many of Goodwill SWPA’s employment services programs, which are designed to assist impacted individuals in obtaining and maintaining sustainable employment.  With a focus on the agency’s mission to “…help people improve their quality of life through work and related services,” the department collaborates both within the agency and with employers and social and community service providers to support participants in their employment goals. enhance service quality and accessibility to individuals and families served.  As a dynamic department crucial to Goodwill SWPA’s service model, Workforce Development continually seeks new and innovative ways enhance service quality and accessibility to individuals and families served.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Work Ready and SNAP EARN programs are administered by the state of Pennsylvania. They operate at a local level, through Partner4Work, and provide workforce development services to eligible participants who experience significant barriers to obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment. Participant eligibility focuses on low-income individuals who are enrolled in TANF and SNAP programs. Programs provide comprehensive job readiness, placement, training, and case management services, Services also aim to mitigate social barriers to employment. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Career Navigator will plan and facilitate career readiness and job placement activities to meet individual’s employment goals, setting clients up for long term career satisfaction. This position will work in collaboration with Goodwill staff to provide training and employment opportunities to EARN and Work Ready participants. The Career Navigator will provide intake, assessments, workshops, and job search support, with a focus on job coaching and career development to meet the goals of the program and program participants.

Status: Regular, Full-time, Non-exempt.

Location: Northside Common Miniseries -1601 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

External Hiring Range: $19.18 - 21.16.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.

Travel: Travel within Goodwill SWPA territories is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Included but not limited to:

Career Readiness:

• Facilitate career readiness workshops during client orientation and throughout enrollment, and direct individuals to specific career readiness workshops offered by Goodwill.
• Provide job specific training, support, and supervision to individuals with disabilities/barriers to employment by ensuring that individuals’ needs are met, goals are implemented, and a safe environment is maintained.
• Deliver quality job search, pre-employment supports, job placement and career development services through collaboration and the utilization of job readiness assessments, job search technologies (including CareerLink website) and resources to identify jobs according to participant abilities, skills, and interests.

Job Placement:

• Work in collaboration with Education and Training staff to place clients in necessary schools, programs, and trainings to achieve desired employment outcomes.

Partnership Management:

• Collaborate with Goodwill’s Employer Engagement staff for up-to-date knowledge of local labor market and employers to identify available employment and work-based training opportunities within Goodwill and other employers as they relate to the needs of job seekers and partner employers.
• Develop relationships with employers seeking employment and work activity opportunities to meet the needs of clients in their communities and identify resources needed to support these initiatives, when applicable.

Policies and Standards:

• Be aware of and follow guidelines for all applicable regulatory entities such as Department of Human Services, Department of Labor, and PA Department of Education.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Years of Experience:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 4+ years of relevant experience. OR
• Associate's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Social Services, Business, Management or other related field AND 2+ years of relevant experience. OR
• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Social Services, Business, Management or other related field. 

Required:

• Experience working with job seekers and/or employers in a job placement function.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

REQUIRED CLEARANCES, LICENSES, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Qualified candidates must have consistent access to reliable transportation.
• Candidates are expected to complete background checks assigned by Goodwill SWPA, including a National Criminal Background check, prior to their first day of employment.
• Candidates are expected to provide current, valid clearances (Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprints Clearance, and PATCH) prior to their first day of employment.