The posting
Career Coach
Tulsa, OK
In Person
This is an in-person role with the expectation that staff report to a CEO site, as the majority of participant interactions are conducted in person.
Anticipated deadline to submit application: November 16. Position may close early if application limit is met. Apply promptly for full consideration.
The Opportunity
The Career Coach supports program participants—individuals returning from incarceration—from the point of reentry through their first year of job retention. Career Coaches help participants stay focused and motivated while working on transitional job sites, provide intensive coaching on interview and employment readiness, and build trusting relationships that prepare participants to access and maintain long-term employment. In addition to core coaching responsibilities, this role may support program-specific needs, including preparing participants for occupational training and apprenticeship-related opportunities.
This is an in-person role with the expectation that staff report to a CEO site, as the majority of participant interactions are conducted in person.
As part of our mission, we strongly encourage individuals who have lived experience of incarceration or involvement in the justice system to apply for this role.
Who We Are
The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people recently released from incarceration. Across the United States, 8,000-9,000 people participate in CEO each year, transitioning to employment that supports themselves, their families, and their communities.
What began as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice in the 1970s to address employment barriers facing the formerly incarcerated following release in New York City has grown into the leading reentry employment organization in the country, where over 30,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment since 1996.
Who You Are
- You have 2+ years of related experience working directly with individuals from marginalized backgrounds. Experience working with people with criminal legal system involvement, housing instability, or mental health needs preferred.
- You have experience providing feedback and guidance to encourage growth and development
- For roles supporting Career Pathway and Apprenticeship duties: You have a familiarity with workforce training, pre-apprenticeship, or Registered Apprenticeship systems preferred.
- You have demonstrated commitment to CEO's mission, social justice, and reentry, and interest in working in a fast-growing, results-oriented nonprofit environment
- You are passionate about helping individuals become the best version of themselves and guiding individuals to achieve career goals through a balance of accountability and empathy
- You are comfortable providing the feedback and support necessary to facilitate the development of participant knowledge and skills
- You have strong customer service skills, taking a human-centered approach when communicating
- You have the ability to anticipate problems, evaluate them, and determine/implement solutions
- You have excellent interpersonal and written communication skills with the ability to adjust to particular personalities and interaction styles on the spot
- You are data driven with growth mindset, with ability to take detailed notes
- You are highly organized with strong time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple priorities and/or ask for support with prioritization when needed
- You are comfortable learning new technologies that an organization adopts/implements
- You have the ability to maintain composure and work efficiently during stressful circumstances
What You’ll Be Responsible For
Key responsibilities of the Career Coach include but are not limited to:
- Engaging participants in ongoing discussions about their employment goals
- Using motivational interviewing techniques to guide participants to goal achievement
- Conducting regular one-on-one coaching sessions to assess progress, identify barriers, and develop actionable plans throughout every phase of the program journey, from onboarding through 365 days of employment
- Developing and producing a professional resume for participants
- Facilitating mock interviews with pre-employment participants to build confidence, improve interview skills, and provide targeted feedback based on employer expectations
- Conducting job readiness assessments before job placement and job retention assessments after placement
- Facilitating group sessions and workshops to build employment readiness skills
- Collaborating with colleagues to match participants to job leads that align with their interests, qualifications, and readiness
Retention and Wraparound Support
- Maintaining consistent contact with participants after placement to ensure ongoing engagement and support
- Distributing retention incentives to participants who have maintained consistent employment, in accordance with program guidelines
- Advocating for participant needs with parole officers and other constituencies to support successful reintegration
- Providing participants with continued life skills education and relevant community resources to promote long-term stability
- Connecting participants to supportive services and making referrals to specialized staff as needed (job placement, supportive services, advanced training pathways)
Program Administration
- Regularly discussing each participant's job start readiness progress with colleagues and problem-solving as needed
- Collaborating with colleagues on job searches and educational activities for participants
- Reviewing participants' daily work crew attendance and performance provided by site supervisors; maintaining contact with site supervisors and responding to their concerns
- Maintaining accurate client records in Salesforce; updating progress notes during and after each meeting with participants
- Tracking participant outcomes against program goals and reporting requirements
- Organizing documents and maintaining electronic and physical case files
- Establishing relationships with community organizations serving justice-involved individuals, attending local reentry events and meetings to build partnerships
- Participating in team meetings, trainings, and case conferencing to ensure best practices and continuous improvement
- Supporting the Program Manager with administrative and operational duties to ensure smooth site operations; performing other tasks and responsibilities as assigned
Site-Specific Needs
Depending on program, grant, or specific site needs, some Career Coaches may also support local projects and needs, including but not limited to: career pathway and apprenticeship duties. The specific responsibilities for each are below.
Career Pathway and Apprenticeship Support
- Assessing participant interest and readiness for occupational training, pre-apprenticeship, and registered apprenticeship opportunities
- Developing and monitoring individualized pathway goals for each participant
- Assisting participants in understanding and navigating eligibility requirements, applications, and enrollments, obtaining required documentation, completing applications, and meeting enrollment prerequisites
- Helping participants prepare for entrance assessments, interviews, and other selection requirements through individualized coaching and connection to resources.
- Facilitating workshops on career exploration, skill building, and apprenticeship readiness.
- Collaborating with training and apprenticeship providers and sponsors, navigator organizations, and other partners to address barriers, monitor progress, and support transitions into employment
- Tracking enrollments, progress, and placements against grant reporting requirements
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $47,800. In an effort to be both equitable and transparent, CEO's compensation philosophy considers a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, experience, internal equity, and home office location in making a final determination on our salary offer.
We recognize that salary is a part of the overall compensation package and also provide a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, as well as professional development opportunities and training, including regular training opportunities in Motivational Interviewing (MI). MI is one evidence-based skill that reentry and human service professionals can utilize when supporting participants to achieve their goals.
We also offer paid parental leave, participation in a retirement plan, sick and vacation leave, paid holidays and more. We are a workplace that promotes continual learning and teamwork, offering lunch and learns, team outings, holiday gatherings and more for our staff.
More About Us
Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. People who are justice involved are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. CEO is committed to the CROWN Act, and creating an open space where our employees can present as their true authentic selves.
All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, gender, gender identity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact.
Please note that due to the volume of resumes received, we are unable to contact each applicant regarding the status of each position or reply to candidates' inquiries via phone or email.
