Job Description

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania and North Central West Virginia is a nonprofit organization that funds job training, education, and other community programs by selling donated clothing and household items in Goodwill stores and online. We offer life-changing work on a mission-minded team. We are 1,000 working as one and each of us is essential to helping our community thrive. For three years running, Goodwill has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s “Most Inspiring Companies”.

We offer a wide range of career opportunities ranging from entry-level to management in retail, human services, and administrative fields. Learn more about working at Goodwill. You can help. We can show you how.

DIVISION OVERVIEW:

Goodwill SWPA’s Human Services division is responsible for making Goodwill’s overarching vision a reality: enhancing people’s dignity and quality of life by strengthening communities and helping those with barriers to employment reach their full potential through workforce education and support. The Human Services division fulfills this mission providing high quality, outcome-oriented services for program participants by utilizing a comprehensive service delivery model covering a broad array of social programs.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

Within the Human Services Division is the Workforce Development Department. The Workforce Development Department is responsible for many of Goodwill SWPA’s employment services programs, which are designed to assist impacted individuals in obtaining and maintaining sustainable employment. With a focus on the agency’s mission to “…help people improve their quality of life through work and related services,” the department collaborates both within the agency and with employers and social and community service providers to support participants in their employment goals. enhance service quality and accessibility to individuals and families served. As a dynamic department crucial to Goodwill SWPA’s service model, Workforce Development continually seeks new and innovative ways enhance service quality and accessibility to individuals and families served.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is federal legislation that was created to strengthen and improve the US workforce. WIOA functions as a funding stream for workforce development programs that serve individuals with barriers to employment at the state and local level. WIOA programs help job seekers succeed in their local labor market by providing supportive services, training, and education needed to find and retain meaningful employment. WIOA also supports local labor markets funding programs that match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

The Career Navigator will plan and facilitate career readiness and job placement activities to meet individual’s employment goals, setting clients up for long term career satisfaction. This position will work in collaboration with Goodwill staff to provide training and employment opportunities to WIOA participants. The Career Navigator will provide intake, assessments, workshops, and job search support, with a focus on job coaching and career development to meet the goals of the program and program participants.

Status: Regular, Full-time, Non-exempt

Location: Lawrenceville Workforce Development Center - 118 52nd St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201.

External Hiring Range: $19.18 - $21.16.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Schedule may vary depending on department needs.

Travel: Occasional travel to participant work sites, Goodwill locations, and partner sites is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Included but not limited to:

Career Readiness:

• Facilitate career readiness workshops during client orientation and throughout enrollment, and direct individuals to specific career readiness workshops offered by Goodwill.
• Provide job specific training, support, and supervision to individuals with disabilities/barriers to employment by ensuring that individuals’ needs are met, goals are implemented, and a safe environment is maintained.
• Work in collaboration with Education and Training staff to place clients in necessary schools, programs, and trainings to achieve desired employment outcomes.

Job Placement:

• Deliver quality job search, pre-employment supports, job placement and career development services through collaboration and the utilization of job readiness assessments, job search technologies (including CareerLink website) and resources to identify jobs according to participant abilities, skills, and interests.
• Communicate job specific expectations to the client and communicate regularly with clients to ensure they are satisfied and fulfilled with employment.

Relationship Development:

• Collaborate with Goodwill’s Business Engagement staff for up-to-date knowledge of local labor market and employers to identify available employment and work-based training opportunities within Goodwill and other employers as they relate to the needs of job seekers and partner employers.
• Develop relationships with employers seeking employment and work activity opportunities to meet the needs of clients in their communities and identify resources needed to support these initiatives, when applicable.

Policies and Standards:

• Be aware of and follow guidelines for all applicable regulatory entities such as Department of Human Services, Department of Labor, and PA Department of Education.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Years of Experience:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 4+ years of relevant experience. OR
• Associate's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Management, Human Services, Social Work or other related field AND 2+ years relevant experience. OR
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Management, Human Services, Social Work or other related field.

Required:

• Experience working with job seekers and/or employers in a job placement function.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

REQUIRED CLEARANCES, LICENSES, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Qualified candidates must have a valid driver's license, active insurance policy, and reliable transportation for local travel.
• Candidates are expected to complete background checks assigned by Goodwill SWPA, including a National Criminal Background check, prior to their first day of employment.
• Candidates are expected to provide current, valid clearances (Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprints Clearance, and PATCH) prior to their first day of employment.