Career Coach (Reentry-WayneLINC)

Ser Metro-Detroit - Detroit, MI

Full-time - Entry Level

Detroit, MI

Educational Services

About the position

The Career Coach position at Ser Metro-Detroit is a full-time role within the Adult Services division, specifically focused on the Reentry Program. This position is crucial for assessing Wayne County justice-involved residents to determine their eligibility for a regional grant program aimed at facilitating their reintegration into the workforce. The Career Coach will provide comprehensive job readiness training, assist with barrier resolution referrals, and offer vocational training referrals, ultimately guiding participants towards both subsidized and unsubsidized employment opportunities. The role is based at the office located at 9301 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI, but also involves serving participants from various locations including SEMCA and Highland Park AJC. In this role, the Career Coach will conduct interviews with jobseekers to assess their service needs and collaboratively develop Individual Employment Plans (IEPs) that outline their interests, goals, and strategies for placement. Additionally, the Career Coach will create Discharge Plans that detail the next steps for jobseekers post-release. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying barriers to employment and ensuring that jobseekers are connected with necessary job placement services, including recruitment events and Temporary Work Experiences (TWE) designed to enhance their skills in a work setting. The Career Coach will manage a caseload of up to fifty intensive jobseekers, ensuring accurate documentation of case records in various databases. Follow-up services will be provided after job placement to ensure retention, with documentation of efforts and outcomes in participant profiles. The role also involves collaboration with referral partners and other staff to achieve successful outcomes for jobseekers, as well as participation in ongoing professional development to stay updated on best practices in workforce development.

Responsibilities

• Interviews jobseeker to assess service needs
• Develops an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) with the jobseeker that identifies interests, goals, needs, and placement strategy
• Creates a Discharge Plan with the jobseeker that identifies next steps post-release
• Assesses jobseeker's career and job readiness and recommends strategies to enhance marketability
• Identifies problem areas and service gaps, prepares reports to supervisor, and implements Career Plan
• Refers jobseekers who are not job ready back to partners for additional services
• Ensures jobseekers are connected with job placement services, including recruitment events
• Screens caseload to refer candidates to Temporary Work Experiences (TWE)
• Participates in job search and placement events promoting teamwork and jobseeker satisfaction
• Cross-trains with the Reentry Career Services team to support program outcomes
• Performs visits to jobseekers' residences, training providers, and employers as necessary
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices in workforce development
• Manages a caseload of no more than fifty intensive jobseekers and ensures accurate documentation
• Provides follow-up services after job placement to ensure retention
• Works closely with referral partners and Employment Specialist/Navigator for successful outcomes
• Maintains case reporting in MIS systems and jobseeker's files
• Performs other related duties as assigned by SERCO leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a human services or related field
• Experience in career planning, placement, and employment training preferred
• Knowledge of education, training, and community resources
• Familiarity with case management principles and program policies
• Demonstrated experience meeting performance metrics for high-risk clients
• Familiarity with Human Centered Design principles, including Motivational Interviewing
• Ability to handle pressures related to working with detainee and parolee populations
• Effective communication skills to assess jobseeker needs
• Knowledge of or ability to learn MIS and reporting systems
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Valid Michigan Driver's License and reliable transportation for travel to various locations

Nice-to-haves

• Bilingual language skills are a bonus, but not required