Career Coach

Odle Management - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Chicago, IL

About the position

The position at Odle Management involves supporting Career Transition Services (CTS) for students, focusing on job search skills, job placement, and retention. The role emphasizes mentoring and preparing young individuals for the workforce by adhering to the Career Success Standards. The individual will manage a caseload of students, ensuring they are connected with job opportunities, educational resources, or military service, while maintaining accurate records and providing ongoing support throughout their transition process.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews with students preparing to exit the center.
• Provide re-orientation and focus 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 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, employability skills, career preparation, job search, job retention, etc.
• Familiarize students with military, school, and job opportunities and offers.
• Provide workshops to exiting students and assigned caseload.
• Assist center staff with the planning and execution of job fairs and career days.
• Maintain linkages with military services, One Stops, and other external resources; maintain job banks; secure and post job leads; set up job interviews; arrange transportation assistance and other support services.
• Perform job development by screening leads from various sources.
• Ensure that all necessary licenses, certificates, transcripts, and/or any pertinent documents that will aid in job search are completed prior to student's exit.
• Ensure that accurate contact information is obtained from exiting students and that their files are continually updated.
• Initiate transfers for students relocating.
• Identify support services needed for independent living; make referrals to support services agencies.
• Develop and maintain a resource center for support services.
• Participate in the students' Career Assessment Panel.
• Ensure assignee checks are distributed in a timely manner and inform assignees of processes related to payments.
• Meet regularly with center staff that can assist with students Pending Placement to facilitate contact and placement information.
• Ensure that all Personally Identifiable Information is securely stored at all times.
• Ensure that all valuable items are secured and accurately distributed to assignees.
• Initiate contact with 'former enrollee' assignees prior to their exiting the center, or soon afterwards.
• Utilize data and the CTS system for informational resources; utilize all resources available for placement opportunities.
• Upon learning of a lost placement, intensify contact frequency and present job offers to contacted students.
• Remind students of the importance of job search and job retention.
• Complete and submit data forms for processing for all identified placements.
• Track individual performance through regular checks of reports for correct information on all caseload students.
• Complete appeals process and verify placements to reconcile any errors in surveys.
• Provide additional assistance, as departmental needs become evident, in meeting overall department placement goals.
• Attend required staff training sessions.
• Maintain accountability of staff, students, and property, adhere to safety practices in all areas of responsibility.
• Clearly communicate and consistently model appropriate CSS and employability skills including personal responsibility and computer fluency.
• Cultivate and maintain a climate on center that is free of harassment, intimidation, and disrespect to provide a safe place for staff and students to work and learn.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human services, psychology, counseling, education, social science, business, communications, or closely related field; or Associates degree in the same fields with two years related experience.
• Prefer Job Corps experience.
• Valid driver's license in the state of employment with acceptable driving record preferred.
• Sound knowledge of case management, career counseling, employment counseling, and job search techniques.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Good organizational skills.
• Must obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification.
• Ability to inspire and motivate students.
• Ability to operate office equipment.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with culturally disadvantaged and minority youth.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity employer
• Drug-free workplace
• E-verify for employment eligibility