Career Coach, Vocational Training Partnership

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 Vocational Training Partnership (VTP) Career Coach collaborates with team members and partners to deliver short-term vocational training, career coaching, and job placement assistance to low-income, refugee, and immigrant participants to advance their careers. The VTP Career Coach also contributes to client outreach and recruitment, and initiates and sustains collaborative relationships with a variety of local businesses for participants’ employment and to execute VTP programs.

VTP client offerings currently include Food Service, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Bank Career Trainings; which take place on-site at JVS’ office, remotely, and off-site with partner employers. Trainings are subject to change based on agency and stakeholder needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

Career Coaching 

• Screens and conducts participant intake interviews and orientations
• Maintains an active caseload of pre-employment and post-employment participants.
• Assists program participants in initial goal setting, career planning, and training leading to job placement, skills upgrades, and career advancement.
• Assist program participants in individual, group, and classroom settings in job search-related activities; provide job readiness and vocational training as needed.
• Escort participants to job interviews, and tours; and facilitate interview and hiring process, as needed.
• Promotes and develops employment opportunities consistent with the participant’s vocational goals, interests, and skills
• Actively develop new and maintain existing employer relationships in industries related to VTP programs.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current workforce development trends, local labor market information, job listings, training opportunities, and support services
• Provide post-placement services including follow-up with participant and employer.
• Establish, track, and meet program dashboard indicators (enrollment, training completion, job placement, retention, etc.)

VTP Instruction and Execution

• Assists with recruitment and pre-screening of students interested in Vocational Training Partnership programs. 
• Assists the Instructor and participates in Vocational Training Program classes, leading discussions and activities.
• Helps to develop and expand upon existing curriculum and lesson plans.
• Coordinates and collaborates with class instructors and classroom aides for successful program implementation.
• Helps with coordination and preparation of materials for training recruitment and graduation. 
• Substitutes for classes that the Instructor is unable to lead.

Build Relationships, Collaboration, and Teamwork

• Support and promote the mission and philosophy of JVS both internally and outside the agency.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (participants, employers, partner organizations, funders, interns, etc.)
• Work as part of a team, sharing job leads and collaborating on workshops, classes, group interviews, and any other tasks as needed.
• Works collaboratively with and encourages collaboration between Refugee Services team members and across JVS to ensure performance goals are met. 
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and team-based projects.
• Assist fellow team members when needed.

Administrative/Communication

• Organize and maintain files and records.
• Communicate regularly with Supervisor and department leadership to ensure smooth delivery of services.
• Contribute summary reports for employers, funders, JVS leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date information in all databases.

Additional Functions include:

• Models expected behaviors for JVS staff and clients
• Participates in a work environment where all staff and clients feel heard, can express ideas, learn, problem solve, and succeed
• Adapts to change in response to unforeseen and planned changes, setbacks, and challenges
• Perform 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
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills required
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team required
• Ability to work effectively with staff and clients from diverse cultural, socio-economic, 
• ethnic and educational backgrounds required
• Experience in curriculum development for the adult learner preferred
• Demonstrated and effective presentation and facilitation skills preferred
• Familiarity with cover letter writing and resume building is preferred
• Bilingual or additional language proficiency preferred, especially in languages spoken by refugee and immigrant participants (i.e., Arabic, Dari, French, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, Ukrainian)
• Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills required

KEY COMPETENCIES:   

• Job Development/Employer relationship building
• Job Placement / Career and Economic Advancement
• Tracking client 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)

WORKING CONDITIONS: Frequent meetings with clients and employers. Frequent travel by public transportation to employer locations. Will attend off-site meetings with partners in and around the greater Boston area. Service delivery is currently hybrid (in-person at JVS offices and remotely online) and is subject to change. The ability to work in person at JVS offices or training sites as needed weekly is required.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

JVS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Qualified minorities, women, veterans, sexual orientation, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

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. Additionally, JVS prohibits retaliation against an applicant or employee because he or she has engaged in protected activity under the statutes prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.