We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated Career & Education Specialist to join our Youth and Young Adult Case Management team. This role is vital in empowering young individuals from underserved communities to achieve their educational and career goals.
JOB TITLE: Career & Education Specialist
FLSA STATUS: Not Exempt; Full-Time (40 Hours/Week)
COMPENSATION: $24 - $26/hr ($26 for Bi-lingual only)
DIRECTOR: Director of Youth Services
SUBMIT: Cover Letter and Resume to [email protected]; must include a cover letter
POSITION OVERVIEW:
This is a case management, outreach, and direct service position funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The purpose of this position is to provide youth and young adults ages 16-24 with the education, training, work experience, and supports necessary to gain and retain permanent employment on their chosen career pathway.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Employee will provide comprehensive, individualized case management to ensure youth and young adults acquire the education, skills, work experience and support they need to reach their full potential, prepare them to successfully transition into adulthood, and obtain permanent employment in their identified career pathway. You typically will have 25 youth and young adult case load.
The overall responsibilities and essential duties include:
- Outreach, recruitment, and identification of eligible participants;
- Conduct formal intake, including gathering accurate documentation for eligibility;
- Utilize an objective assessment tool to identify academic level, skill, status, and service needs of each participant;
- Create an Individual Services Strategy, based on assessment data and in collaboration with participant, to define short- and long-term goals to be regularly updated based on changes in goals, barriers, and services;
- Build rapport and create a positive relationship with participants to ensure effective case management and participant engagement, including regular check-in;
- Use the designated data management system to maintain accurate and complete files as prescribed by the contract that include the following data: eligibility, demographics, program activities, services, goal attainment, case notes, follow-up in alignment with pre-determined performance indicators;
- Identify or create activities and referrals that lead to the achievement of pre-determined performance measures, address barriers to education/employment, and/or develop skills needed for success, including but not limited to: career guidance, workshops, tutoring, GED prep, basic skills remediation, functional literacy, labor market information, resumés creation, application preparation, interview skills, networking, job search, soft skills, development of a portfolio, internships, shadowing opportunities, informational interviews, community service opportunities, strong work habits, budgeting, and other life skills needed for success in the workplace;
- Support participants in acquiring and maintaining paid work experiences by determining work readiness and providing the appropriate referral; support participants in maintaining paid work experiences by providing case management when issues or barriers arise that may affect participant success;
- Contribute to a community of learning with colleagues to share best practices, lessons learned, and areas of expertise or interests;
- Utilize strong ethical decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate complex situations and dilemmas while upholding the highest standards of fairness, honesty, and respect;
- Attend relevant meetings and trainings as necessary;
- Represent the agency in a professional manner at all times;
- Additional tasks assigned as needed.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor degree (BA); a minimum of two years related experience in either workforce development, youth development, case. Management, or related area; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience;
- Ability to understand the challenges and barriers faced by youth with diverse background, including but not limited to low-SES, unhoused, foster care, justice-involved, LGBTQIA+, and other disadvantaging and/or disabling conditions;
- Ability to work well in individual as well as workshop settings and to present information clearly with effective public speaking skills;
- Ability to incorporate trauma-informed and anti-racist practices as well as inclusive practices towards historically excluded groups;
- Ability to uphold ethical conduct, integrity and professional boundaries in all interactions with youth participants, colleagues, and stakeholders;
- Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation, including case notes, services plans, progress reports, and participant records in compliance with organizational policies and funding sources;
- Access to own transportation. Use of car with current licensure and insurance for vehicle and driver is required. Travel within Sonoma County is included with responsibilities.
- Must have a clear TB test, pass a LiveScan fingerprinting test, have a clean DMV record.
Benefits
- Paid sick time, vacation and holidays
- Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Employee assistance program
- 403(b) plan
- (+other benefits to support our team members)
Physical Demand & Work Environment
This position operates in a combination of professional office, community, and event environments. The role requires prolonged periods of sitting, computer work, and frequent communication via phone, video conferencing, email, and in-person interactions. Regular local travel throughout PPSC’s service area may be required to attend meetings, presentations, outreach activities, community events, and partner engagements.
The employee must be able to occasionally lift and carry materials, displays, supplies, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support organizational events, volunteer activities, community outreach efforts, and other business needs.
Additional Note
Petaluma People Services Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible workplace. PPSC does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature of the level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties and responsibilities may be modified, added, or removed at any time to meet organizational needs.
Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
