Career Navigator

Job Summary: Serco of Texas is seeking a skilled Career Navigator to join our team. As a Career Navigator, you will play a vital role in guiding workforce program customers towards achieving self-sufficiency. Your primary responsibility will be to conduct intake and case management activities, providing invaluable support services to our participants. With a focus on efficiency and effectiveness, you will be committed to delivering comprehensive case management services to a diverse clientele. Your goal will be to empower customers by removing employment barriers and facilitating their journey towards meaningful employment. Success in this role hinges on your ability to competently perform each outlined duty to satisfaction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

* Adhere to the mission of SERCO.
* Interview participants or their authorized representatives to gather information to assess and record information regarding training needs, education, experience, skills, interest, and other relevant factors to fully explore clients' career development opportunities and to provide information regarding programs.
* Responsible for the intake process of center customers to determine eligibility for services.
* Coordinate and provide direct case management services to include assisting the job seeker to: develop long- and short-term employment goals;
* Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, and applicants' legal rights.
* Conduct in-depth interviewing, testing, and skills assessment of eligible participants for entry into career center activities.
* Create an Individual Employment Plan (IEP); and coordinate support and related services with other providers; track the job seeker's progress toward goals and modify the IEP as necessary.
* Interview participants at specified intervals to certify their eligibility for continuing benefits.
* Complete applicant documents and forms accurately and expeditiously.
* Provide career guidance to assist job seekers in making and carrying out career decisions for success in the labor market; identify suitability for and/or barriers to employment/training.
* Maintain a caseload and provide a broad range of case management services including maintaining proper documentation, monitoring of eligibility, customer activity tracking and reporting, conciliation and sanctions (if applicable) conducting staffing as needed with co-case managers as appropriate.
* Develop, implement, and maintain a strategy for each participant to assist in establishing self-sufficient goals and develop a plan to coordinate available resources including referral to other agencies and businesses to attain desired goals.
* Compile, record, and evaluate personal and financial data to verify completeness and accuracy, and to determine eligibility status.
* Follow standard procedures to administer and evaluate interest, aptitude, and achievement tests and work samples. Provide assessment results to assist participants, etc., in setting appropriate goals and identifying appropriate education and training options.
* Assist in developing materials and conducts workshops, job clubs, and other customer group meetings, for all programs.
* Assist customers to access basic self-help services through effective use of the resource center.
* Assist in resolving problems that may impede participation and/or performance in selected programs; provide follow-up activities according to program guidelines.
* Keeps abreast of revisions and changes impacting the eligibility of applicants, and reporting requirements.
* Refers applicants who are ineligible or have other training interests to other agencies, training centers, or community organizations, as appropriate.
* Oversee job seeker's program participation providing career counseling, job coaching, and career mentoring that ensures sustained employment.
* Maintains detailed participant records in compliance with agency's policies and procedures and prepares required reports.
* May conduct home visits to participants' place of residence as necessary.
* Document all participant contacts and activities in TWIST system of record to include case notes and post-placement follow-up contacts (daily).
* Track target goals to include enrollments, trainings, and entered employment, and provide weekly progress reports.
* Compiles and distributes accurate intake and assessment reports.
* Performs other work-related duties as needed and/or as assigned.

Education and Experience:

* Preferred, Associate Degree with coursework in Psychology, Sociology, or related field; or
* Two (2) year of related experience performing intake and certification work, or a combination of experience and education.
* Or has been employed with SERCO in a temporary or a Sub-E position for at least 6 months.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Working knowledge of programs administered by TWC, TANF, WIOA, etc.
* Ability to properly interview and screen clients for services.
* Experience providing excellent service to job seekers and employers.
* Experience working with unemployed, underemployed, displaced workers, noncustodial parents, ex-offenders, veterans, individuals with barriers or other economically disadvantaged populations.
* Ability to prioritize tasks and document all aspects of services provided.
* Ability to read and interpret eligibility requirements.
* Ability to properly administer and score assessment instruments.
* Ability to prepare reports.
* Ability to accurately calculate income levels.
* Ability to analyze participants' documents to determine eligibility.
* Skills in establishing rapport with participants.
* Knowledge of assessment tools used in workforce center applications.
* Knowledge of basic mathematics to include addition and subtraction.
* Knowledge of and ability to use personal computer.
* Highly preferred: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
* Excellent communication skills. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
* Must treat customers with dignity and respect.
* Must be able to travel within state.
* Actively looking for ways to help people.
* Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Special Requirements:

* Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License and provide automobile liability insurance as required by the State of Texas.
* Must have access to reliable transportation in order to make required home visits and travel within service area.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

* The physical demands and work environment characteristics describe here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Physical Demands:

* While performing duties of the job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; for long periods of time. Employee must be able to drive for extended periods of time. Employees must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, must be able to set up display area.

Work Environment:

* Fast-paced, demanding physically and mentally, will be in constant communications.

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

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