Career Development Navigator

The Career Development Navigator guides employees in navigating their educational and professional career pathways. This position provides career coaching, supports Professional Development Plans, and connects employees with the education, credentials, resources, and development opportunities needed to achieve their career goals and advance within the organization.

All GenerationEd Employees

• Reliability and Quality of work
• Problem Solving/Critical Thinking
• Customer Service
• Teamwork

and Collaboration

• Trust and Accountability
• Effective Communication
• Initiative and Growth

Role Specific

• Regulatory Compliance Management
• Conflict Resolution and Trust Building

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Career & Educational Pathway Navigation

• Serve as a primary career development resource for employees seeking guidance on career advancement, higher education, credentials, certifications, and professional growth opportunities.
• Provide individualized coaching and guidance to help employees identify career goals and develop realistic pathways for achieving those goals.
• Assist employees in understanding educational and credentialing requirements associated with current and future career opportunities.
• Review employees' educational progress and help identify appropriate courses, programs, credentials, and learning opportunities based on their career goals and professional requirements.
• Help employees evaluate whether their current educational path and coursework align with their intended career progression.
• Support employees in navigating higher education systems and serve as an internal resource when external academic advising does not adequately address their professional goals.
• Maintain awareness of degree, credential, certification, and career pathways relevant to GenerationEd's workforce and identify opportunities to strengthen employee access to those pathways.
• Connect employees with appropriate internal and external resources, educational institutions, credentialing organizations, and professional development opportunities.
• Monitor employee progress toward established educational and professional development goals and provide follow-up coaching and support as needed.

Professional Development Planning/Goals

• Ensure completion and maintenance of Professional Development Plans (PDPs) and/or goals for all employees across the agency.
• Partner with employees and leaders to identify meaningful professional development goals aligned with individual career aspirations, current responsibilities, and organizational needs.
• Monitor PDP and/or goal completion and progress and identify opportunities for additional support, resources, or development.
• Help employees translate career goals into actionable development activities, including education, training, credentialing, mentorship, and experiential learning.
• Maintain accurate records of professional development plans, goals, progress, participation, and outcomes.
• Serve as an integral part of the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ program by coordinating staff enrollment, monitoring progress, and supporting participants through successful completion. (what we are currently doing)
• Oversee the TEACH program, serving as the primary liaison for staff participation, tracking progress, and ensuring compliance with program requirements.
• Coordinate enrollment, progress tracking, and completion support for the Family Development Credential (FDC) program, ensuring compliance with certification standards and maintaining accurate records.
• Identify additional credentialing, certification, and educational opportunities that support workforce development and career advancement.
• Research and recommend programs that expand career pathways, strengthen retention, and support long-term professional growth.
• Design, implement, and manage mentorship programs that supports professional growth, career advancement, retention, and organizational culture (i.e.- first year teachers).
• Develop resources and processes that help employees understand available career pathways and opportunities for advancement within the organization.
• Provide coaching and guidance related to professional growth, educational planning, credentialing, and career progression.
• Partner with leaders to identify opportunities for employees to gain experiences, skills, and exposure that support their professional goals.

Learning & Development Coordination

• Coordinate trainings, ongoing professional development, and specialized skill-building sessions, as assigned.
• Partner with the Talent Acquisition Partner to strengthen new employee onboarding.
• Establish and maintain a 30-60-90 day check in process for all new employees.
• Partner with Education and Training to ensure learning opportunities support identified employee development needs and organizational priorities.
• Evaluate professional development and training opportunities, collect feedback, assess effectiveness, identify gaps, and recommend improvements.
• Partner with program directors to coordinate development and training plans, secure speakers, and encourage relevant agency-wide opportunities.
• Serve as the organization's Internship Coordinator, managing placement requests, onboarding requirements, supervision structures, and evaluation processes.
• Develop opportunities for employees and emerging professionals to gain practical experience that supports career development and workforce needs.

Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate records of professional development, educational progress, credentialing programs, training participation, mentorship, internships, and related employee development activities.
• Compile and deliver comprehensive reports on employee development progress, educational pathways, leadership growth, program participation, and staff outcomes to support grant reporting, board updates, organizational planning, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with department leaders to ensure employee development and educational requirements align with licensing, Head Start, and organizational standards.
• Monitor relevant requirements and maintain processes that support employee compliance with required education, credentials, and professional development.
• Stay current on best practices and trends in career development, adult learning, workforce development , credentialing, higher education pathways, and employee growth.

Essential Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Organizational Development, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience : Minimum of three (3) years of experience in learning and development, training coordination, or a related role. Experience within early childhood education or nonprofit settings preferred.
• Knowledge and Skills :
• Strong understanding of adult learning principles and training evaluation methods.
• Familiarity with the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ process and early childhood education pathways.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to coach, motivate, and build rapport with staff at all levels.
• Proficiency in using learning management systems (LMS) and standard office software.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and measure learning initiatives.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Other Requirements:
• Ability to travel to agency centers and attend off-site trainings or conferences as needed.
• Commitment to the organization’s mission, values, and dedication to supporting employee growth and development.

Physical, Mental and /or Visual Demands

• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time throughout the day.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs.
• Must be able to bend and stoop.
• Must be able to walk extended periods throughout the day monitoring.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close, distance, color, peripheral depth and the ability to adjust focus.

GenerationEd is committed to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities in accordance with ADA.

Acknowledgement

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the individual assigned to this position and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties. All requirements are subject to change and to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

I further understand that my employment with GenerationEd is at will.