The posting
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 Lead Career Coach for Rapid English 2 Employment initiates, strengthens, and sustains key employer and community partnerships; supervises and supports direct service staff; and oversees programming which serves refugees and immigrants seeking rapid employment and Vocational English for Speakers of Other Languages (VESOL) classes. The Lead Career Coach also provides direct services including high quality career counseling, training, and job placement assistance to refugee and immigrant participants in the greater Boston area and Brockton.
This individual must have experience working with people from diverse backgrounds. Program participants include refugees from Afghanistan, Haiti, Ukraine and other countries who recently resettled in Massachusetts; immigrant parents who are receiving public benefits (TANF/TAFDC), and other individuals eligible for Massachusetts Refugee Resettlement Program employment services. Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
*This role requires minimum of 2 days per week in-person in our Brockton office (142 Crescent St, Brockton, MA 02302), and may include other days as needed in our main Boston office (75 Federal St, Boston, 02110)
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Accountability and Results Focused
- Establishes, tracks and meets program dashboard indicators (ex. enrollment, placements, retention, skill attainment, client satisfaction, staff skill development, staff retention, staff performance)
- Evaluates program performance on a regular basis and provides course correction when necessary
- Enroll new participants via outreach and frequent communication with referral agencies and community partners.
- Assist 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 facilitate interview and hiring process, as needed.
- Actively develop new and maintain existing employer relationships.
- Provide post-placement services including follow-up with participant and employer.
- Establish, track and meet program dashboard indicators (enrollment, job placement, retention, etc.)
Build Relationships, Collaboration and Teamwork
- Takes ownership of the Lead Career Coach role as leader for JVS staff, clients and partners
- Supports and promotes the mission and philosophy of JVS both internally and outside the agency
- Establishes relationships with key stakeholders (clients, employers, partner organizations, funders) and works collaboratively in a structured and on-going manner
- Models expected behaviors for JVS staff, clients, and volunteers
- Works collaboratively with and encourages collaboration between JVS teams and team members to ensure agency performance goals are met
- Creates a work environment where all staff and clients feel heard, can express ideas, learn, problem solve and succeed
Program Leadership
- Hires, trains and supervises program staff
- Plans and promotes professional development to maintain proficiency of staff members in job placement techniques and the use of new methods and technology to meet placement objectives
- Provides all supervisees with a written annual evaluation meeting all agency deadlines for the process
- Provides oversight of outreach, assessment, enrollment, and delivery of services
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current workforce development trends, local labor market information, job listings, training opportunities and support services
- Promotes and develops employment opportunities consistent with the participants’ vocational goals and skills
- Increases internal and external visibility of programs
- Generates strategy and solutions in response to unforeseen and planned changes, setbacks and challenges
- Exercises flexibility to staff learning styles, and sets appropriate limits to ensure all staff perform successfully to meet program goals
- Assists program staff in areas of difficulty and provides additional support when needed
- Provides leadership in resolving disagreements and conflict in a professional and productive manner
Administrative/Communication:
- Communicates regularly with Supervisor to ensure successful program performance
- Ensures that all key program data is entered accurately, completely and on time into relevant data tracking systems
- Develops and submits regular program performance reports to JVS leadership, funders, evaluators and other stakeholders
- Develops and updates program related forms and procedures on an ongoing basis
- Performs other duties as requested
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
- 1-3 years of experience in workforce development, coaching or related field
- Minimum of 2 years of program/contract management and supervisory experience preferred
- Ability to analyze course outcomes and propose means to achieve desired outcomes
- Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work effectively with staff and clients from diverse cultural, socio-economic, ethnic and educational backgrounds
- Demonstrated effective presentation and facilitation skills
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
- Knowledge of refugee or immigrant services, Department of Transitional Assistance programs, community resources, and web-based resources preferred
- Proficiency in a language spoken by program participants is strongly preferred (i.e. Arabic, Dari, French, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, Ukrainian)
- Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation required
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Frequent meetings with clients, employers, and colleagues. Frequent travel by public transportation or private vehicle to employer locations. Will attend occasional off-site meetings with partner organizations in and around the Brockton area. Service delivery is currently hybrid (in-person at JVS offices in Brockton and Boston, and remotely online) and is subject to change. The ability to work in-person at JVS offices 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 the essential functions. (Posting Purposes: EOE/M/F/D/V/SO)
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.
Please provide a cover letter with your application.
