Career Transition Coach

$42,000 - $43,000/Yr

Eckerd Connects - Albuquerque, NM

Full-time - Entry Level

Albuquerque, NM

Telecommunications

About the position

The Career Transition Specialist (CTS) at the Albuquerque Job Corps Center is a full-time, salaried, exempt position that plays a crucial role in guiding young individuals through their career transition journey. Reporting directly to the CTS Manager, the specialist is responsible for assisting CTS assignees in all aspects of career transition, including job search skills, job placement issues, job retention, and adherence to Job Corps CTS services and requirements. The specialist is dedicated to preparing young people for the workforce by modeling, mentoring, and monitoring excellence in the eight Career Success Standards, which encompass workplace relations and ethics, information management, communications, multicultural awareness, personal growth and development, career and personal planning, interpersonal skills, and independent living. In this role, the specialist conducts interviews with students preparing to exit the center, providing re-orientation and focusing on job search techniques. They create and maintain a caseload of active assignee files, ensuring regular contact and documentation of all actions taken. The specialist attends meetings related to Career Transition student/process issues and visits classrooms and trade shops to familiarize students with employability skills and career preparation. They also provide workshops to exiting students and assist with the planning and execution of job fairs and career days. The CTS is responsible for maintaining linkages with military services, One Stops, and other external resources, securing job leads, and arranging transportation assistance and other support services. They ensure that all necessary documentation for job searches is completed prior to students' exit and maintain accurate contact information for exiting students. The specialist identifies support services needed for independent living and makes referrals to appropriate agencies, while also developing and maintaining a resource center for support services. They participate in the students' Career Assessment Panel and ensure timely distribution of assignee checks, while also maintaining the confidentiality and security of Personally Identifiable Information. The role requires a commitment to fostering a safe and respectful environment for both staff and students, and the specialist is expected to perform other duties as assigned to meet departmental goals.

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 assignees through telephone and/or in person, documenting 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; secure and post job leads.
• Perform job development by screening leads from various sources including newspapers and internet.
• Ensure all necessary licenses, certificates, and documents are completed prior to students' exit.
• Obtain accurate contact information from exiting students and update their files continuously.
• Identify support services needed for independent living and make referrals to support services agencies.
• Participate in the students' Career Assessment Panel.
• Ensure timely distribution of assignee checks and inform them of payment processes.
• Meet regularly with center staff to facilitate contact and placement information for students pending placement.
• Ensure secure storage of Personally Identifiable Information and valuable items.
• Initiate contact with former enrollee assignees prior to or soon after their exit from the center.
• Utilize data and the CTS system for informational resources and placement opportunities.
• Intensify contact frequency upon learning of a lost placement 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 POMS reports for correct information on all caseload students.
• Complete appeals process and verify placements to reconcile errors in surveys.
• Provide additional assistance as departmental needs arise to meet overall placement goals.
• 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.
• Prefer Job Corps experience.
• Valid driver's license in the state of employment with an 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 and ability to inspire and motivate students.
• Must obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification.
• Ability to operate office equipment and interact effectively with team members.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with culturally disadvantaged and minority youth.