POSITION OVERVIEW
The Career Advancement Navigator provides intensive career coaching, case management, and workforce development services for individuals enrolled in structured advancement programs. This role serves participants who have completed foundational navigation services and are ready to pursue career growth through credential attainment, education and training, leadership readiness, career mobility, and economic advancement.
The Career Advancement Navigator maintains a smaller, more intensive caseload and serves as the primary point of contact for participants enrolled in programs such as the Career Credentialing Program, Associate Success Tier 2 and Tier 3 services, and other workforce development initiatives designed to help individuals move from a job, to a better job, to a career. This role supports career advancement both within Goodwill and with external employers when it aligns with the participant s long-term goals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Intensive Career Coaching & Case Management
- Manage a caseload of participants enrolled in intensive workforce development and advancement programs.
- Develop and monitor individualized Career Advancement Plans aligned with participant goals.
- Provide ongoing coaching, accountability, and support to promote successful completion of career, education, and training objectives.
- Conduct regular progress reviews and maintain contact with assigned participants.
- Identify and address barriers impacting advancement, retention, and program completion.
Career Advancement & Workforce Development
- Facilitate career exploration, career pathway planning, and advancement coaching.
- Support participants pursuing industry-recognized credentials, certifications, training programs, apprenticeships, and educational opportunities.
- Connect participants to resources that support wage growth, skill development, and long-term career success.
- Maintain relationships with employers, educational partners, workforce agencies, and community organizations.
- Partner with Business & Community Engagement staff to connect participants to employment and advancement opportunities.
Associate Success Program
- Provide Tier 2 Career Development and Tier 3 Advancement services for internal associates.
- Support associates pursuing advancement into Lead and Assistant Store Manager positions.
- Develop individualized advancement plans that prepare associates for increased responsibility and career growth.
- Assist associates in exploring both internal and external employment opportunities that align with their long-term career goals.
- Support associates in progressing from a job, to a better job, to a career, recognizing that career advancement may occur within or outside of Goodwill.
Leadership Readiness
- Prepare associates for advancement into first-line leadership roles, including Lead and Assistant Store Manager positions.
- Coordinate developmental opportunities that build leadership readiness and workplace competencies.
- Partner with operational leaders to identify and support promotion-ready candidates.
- Partner with Learning & Development and Operations leadership to establish development goals, monitor progress, and support participants through leadership readiness activities and advancement milestones.
- Track participant progress toward leadership readiness benchmarks and document advancement outcomes.
- Transition participants to the Leadership Development Partner upon promotion into a Lead or Assistant Store Manager role or participation in a formal leadership development pathway.
Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain accurate and timely case notes, participant records, service documentation, and advancement plans.
- Track participant outcomes and progress toward program goals.
- Prepare reports and documentation in accordance with organizational and funding requirements.
- Review written materials for accuracy, clarity, grammar, completeness, and professionalism.
- Ensure compliance with program, organizational, and funding requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED
Education & Experience
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Associate or bachelor s degree in human services, Workforce Development, Education, Business, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in case management, workforce development, career coaching, education, vocational rehabilitation, employment services, human services, or a related field.
- Experience supporting individuals with complex barriers and developing individualized service, career, or advancement plans.
- Experience facilitating workshops, coaching sessions, or workforce development activities preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong case management, coaching, and participant engagement skills.
- Knowledge of workforce development, career pathways, education, training, and economic mobility strategies.
- Ability to manage intensive caseloads while maintaining exceptional participant service.
- Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated proficiency in writing, editing, proofreading, and reviewing materials for clarity, accuracy, grammar, and professionalism.
- Ability to prepare and maintain detailed documentation, reports, case notes, participant plans, and program materials.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and case management systems.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships with participants, employers, educational partners, and community organizations.
Preferred Certifications
- Career Development Facilitator (CDF)
- Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP)
- Mental Health First Aid
- Trauma-Informed Care Training
- Other workforce development, coaching, or human services certifications
