Job Description

Job Location: Ensley - Pensacola, FL 32534
Position Type: Part TimeEducation
Level: 4 Year Degree
Salary Range: $21.63 - $21.63 Hourly

Job Shift: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 1:00pmTITLE:  Career Readiness Specialist                                           DATE WRITTEN:  01/2026
Program:  Escambia County School District
DEPARTMENT:         Workforce Development Services         SUPERVISED BY: Director-Career Readiness
SUPERVISES:             N/A                                        STATUS:  Part-Time (school year), Non-Exempt, Hourly

Mission Contribution:
To prepare participants for employment and/or self-sufficiency by providing job readiness, life skills or basic skills instruction and by developing job opportunities for those referred by the Escambia County School District.
Function:
Oversee the work experience program for students with disabilities within a Goodwill retail store referred by the school system.
This is position made possible in part by a grant from Florida Dept. of Education.  The position’s establishment and continuance will be dependent upon on-going grant funding.
Essential Functions – Escambia School District Program:
- Provide supervision and guidance to High School or District Extended students assigned to a Goodwill store for work experience including creating work assignments, monitoring performance, submitting weekly progress reports, monthly invoicing, and reporting concerns to referring agent.
- Provide job readiness training to students by offering instruction in key employability skills such as time management, problem solving, dealing with frustration in the work environment, money management, understanding employment paperwork and benefits, and arranging transportation either individually or in a group classroom setting.  Job readiness training can be in retail, custodial, and/or clerical fields.
- Provide job development and placement services for students once they have reached a state of employment readiness. Identify potential job leads, arrange interviews, coordinate the development of a resume and/or completion of job applications, and provide follow-up assistance to enable continued success once the student is employed.
- Conduct a vocational assessment to identify work-related strengths and factors that may interfere with efficient work performance.
- Provide vocational counseling to assist the student in developing appropriate occupational choices.
- Conduct pre-vocational instruction addressing general health and safety, communication skills, community resources, personal finances, employability skills, social skills and job information while completing job tasks.
- Participate as part of the screening committee and IEP team.
- Work cooperatively with District staff to monitor student progress and provide weekly written documentation of student progress.  Communicate regularly to report problems and work as a team to help participants to meet their goals and to achieve program outcomes.
- Networks with community agencies to locate outside referral sources that provide services needed by participants that are not provided by Goodwill.  (For example, housing, food, child care, mental health, counseling, drug treatment.)
- Indirectly or directly assists with the Medical Assistance program.
- Develops and implements an individual service strategy (ISS or IEP) for each participant based upon participant needs, interests and barriers identified in the Needs Assessment and updates regularly.
- Meets or exceeds individual and program goals and performance measures as established by the funding source, grant and/or supervisor.
- Ensures confidentiality of participant records and private information, keeping in compliance with organization’s guidelines, policies and CARF regulations.
- Submits timely progress reports and/or invoices to referring agents and supervisor accurately.
- Enters in demographic and service information into the Goodwill database during the month of service.
- Stays current on employment and special population issues and best practices by participating in on-going training and professional development opportunities including seminars, conferences, in-house training and through personal research.
- Stays informed of community, agency, and program information through inter-office communications, and attendance at staff meetings.
- Participates in a variety of community awareness and fundraising activities which promote the program, agency and/or the funding source under the direction of supervisor.
- Regular attendance and adherence to hours of operation, as outlined in Goodwill’s policy, is required.
- Works as a team with other Mission Services and Donated Goods staff for the best interest of the agency and program participants.
- Acts as a positive role model for employees in all aspects of professional performance.
- Observes all safety procedures and personnel policies and ensures compliance by participants.
- Other duties as assigned.

QualificationsSkills, knowledge and abilities: (these are required to enable job holder to perform the essential functions of the job).
- - Must be able to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends.
- - Must be able to interact cordially and productively with a variety of people.
- - Must be able to market Goodwill and explain the mission to the general public.
- - Must be able to take initiative and make decisions with little supervision.
- - Must possess excellent organizational and communication skills.
- - Must be able to keep information confidential.
- - Must be able to maintain an effective working relationship with, and among employees.
- - Ability to function in a hectic work environment with occasional periods of high stress.
- - Must obtain and retain First Aid/CPR/AED certification and respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency at the worksite according to Goodwill Safety Policies & Procedures.
- - Must be at least 21 years of age.
- - Must pass a Level 2 Background Screening.
Experience and Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree plus two years of closely related experience preferred.
- Five years of closely related experience may be substituted for a degree.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Supervisory, teaching and training experience required
- Experience working with people with barriers to obtaining and maintaining employment preferred
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to use hands, fingers and wrists, repetitively while using computer keyboard.
- Ability to engage in frequent bending, stretching, stooping, and prolonged standing, walking and twisting.
- Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 lbs. frequently and 75 lbs. with assistance occasionally.
- Ability to push equipment on wheels weighing 50 lbs. to 150 lbs.
- Ability to use fingers, hands and wrists, repetitively, while hanging and sorting clothes and merchandise.
Working Conditions/Hazards:
Adequately lighted and ventilated building.  Frequent physical exertion; exposure to unfit donated goods.
Critical Performance Factors:
- Customer Service and Image
- Positive relationship with referral sources and/or funders
- Knowledge of disabilities and/or special population attributes
- Employer contacts and relationships
- Hours of career-focused activities per month
- Accuracy and completeness of required program documentation
- Accuracy and timeliness of reporting
- Increased client participation in Goodwill programs
- Attainment of participant’s IEP goals