Career Coach

Eckerd Connects - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Chicago, IL

Telecommunications

About the position

The Career Coach position at Paul Simon Job Corps in Chicago, IL, is a full-time, salaried, exempt role responsible for guiding and supporting Career Transition Services (CTS) assignees in their journey towards successful employment and educational opportunities. The individual in this role will report directly to the OA/CTS Director and will play a crucial part in ensuring that students are well-prepared for the workforce. This includes providing mentorship, modeling excellence in career success standards, and facilitating job search skills, job placement issues, and job retention strategies. The Career Coach will also be responsible for maintaining accurate placement data and reconnecting students who are no longer employed or in school with new opportunities within the service window. The Career Coach will demonstrate a commitment to preparing young people for the workforce by embodying the eight Career Success Standards, which include workplace relations and ethics, information management, communications, multicultural awareness, personal growth and development, career and personal planning, interpersonal skills, and independent living. The role requires conducting interviews with students preparing to exit the center, providing re-orientation, and focusing on job search techniques. The Career Coach will maintain a caseload of active assignee files, ensuring regular contact and documentation of all actions taken in CTS case notes. In addition to direct student interaction, the Career Coach will attend meetings related to Career Transition processes, visit classrooms and trade shops to familiarize students with employability skills, and provide workshops to exiting students. The role also involves maintaining linkages with military services, job banks, and external resources, as well as performing job development activities to secure job leads and arrange interviews. The Career Coach will ensure that all necessary documentation for job searches is completed and that students are informed about support services for independent living. This position requires a proactive approach to tracking student performance and ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews with students preparing to exit the center and provide re-orientation focusing on job search techniques.
• Create and maintain a caseload of active assignee files, establishing a tickler system for caseload management.
• Maintain bi-weekly or monthly contact with students through telephone and/or in person and document all actions in CTS case notes.
• Attend meetings that involve Career Transition student/process issues.
• Visit classrooms and trade shops to familiarize students with CTS processes and employability skills.
• Provide workshops to exiting students and assist center staff with job fairs and career days.
• Maintain linkages with military services, One Stops, and other external resources; maintain job banks and secure job leads.
• Ensure all necessary licenses, certificates, and transcripts are completed prior to student's exit.
• Identify support services needed for independent living and make referrals to support services agencies.
• Participate in the students' Career Assessment Panel and ensure timely distribution of assignee checks.
• Utilize 678 data and the CTS system for informational resources and placement opportunities.
• Intensify contact frequency with students who have lost placements and present job offers to them.
• Track individual performance through regular checks of POMS reports for correct information on all caseload students.
• Attend required staff training sessions and maintain accountability of staff, students, and property.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human services, psychology, counseling, education, social science, business, communications, or closely related field; or an Associate's degree in a related field with two years of related experience.
• Sound knowledge of case management, career counseling, employment counseling, and job search techniques.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to effectively communicate with culturally disadvantaged and minority youth.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to inspire and motivate students.
• Valid driver's license in the state of employment with an acceptable driving record preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification.

Nice-to-haves

• Job Corps experience is preferred.

Benefits

• Starting pay of $45,000
• Eligible for monthly bonus based on performance.