Career Development Specialist

About JobTrain

JobTrain is an organization on the move.  We are delivering best in class outcomes, increasing our reach by expanding regionally, and we have committed to an ambitious new expanded mission to help our community to advance beyond the initial job placement, providing career advancement programming to help them achieve “full economic mobility.”

Born out of the civil rights movement in 1965, we’ve been servicing literally anyone and everyone who journeys through our doors at one of our (now) six, Bay Area career or training centers.  We create an environment and workspace where our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, fostering a safe and welcoming place for our clients.  We deliver on some of the best outcomes in the workforce development field, with a vision to provide our clients with the long-term support they need to achieve full economic mobility. 

We are growing, and we need your help! 

Position Summary 

The Career Development Specialist (CDS) plays a key role in our vocational education   program.  The primary responsibilities of the CDS include , scheduling enrollments , addressing and overcoming barriers to education and employment, coaching and guiding students preparing them for the workplace, and developing and maintaining employer partnerships to for jobs and placement opportunities for our graduating students.   

This part-time position offers flexible hours; however, this postion is expected to work in-office depending upon the needs of the clients, students and organization.  During the initial training period, working from home may be restricted or unavailable.   

Major Duties and Responsibilities 

• Orientation / Registration - Guide clients through intake documentation and assessments to determine eligibility for low- and no-cost services, process registration and enroll student-clients into educational programs.  

• Coaching / Counseling / Case Management – Monitor and document student-client progress and provide feedback on a regular basis. Provide personal and career counseling and coaching as needed. Refer for additional supportive services and co-case manage as needed.   

• Training - Evaluate client needs and provide 1-1 or group training as needed on topics such as resume writing, mock interviews, critical thinking, soft skills, role play, appropriate dress and grooming in various workplaces. 

• Work Experience / Job Placement - Collaborate with Employment Specialist for Job Placement activities. Track employer placements for subsequent reporting. 

• Reporting – Deliver and report status, outcomes and program deliverables for internal / external audiences in a timely manner.  

• Collaborate – Partner with employment specialistt staff and JobTrain staff to provide input / feedback to document and proactively and continuously improve career development / JobTrain processes. 

Qualifications 

Experience 

• Proven experience with: Workforce development (LMI, labor force dynamics) as it relates to job placement. 

• Experience in owning and managing workflow, paperwork and documentation, ensuring document and workflow processes are complete, meeting deadlines. 

• Understanding or experience managing a caseload.  Account management or grant management experience may be considered. 

• Direct experience working with specialized populations experiencing barriers to employment (ie: people experiencing homelessness, low-income/public assistance, justice engaged, long-term unemployment, mature workers, DV survivors, etc.)  
  
   

Based on our internal career ladders, the selected applicant may qualify as either a Career Development Specialist 1 or Career Development Specialist 2. The applicant must possess one of the following: 

 
CDS 1: 1-2 years of relevant career experience in job development and placement space. 

 
CDS 2: 2-4 years of relevant career experience in job development and placement space. 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Understanding of caseload management and documentation, including assessing and meeting client job and career needs, staying organized in follow up, documentation, and reporting job placements.  

• Excellent customer service and client rapport-building skills demonstrated by maintaining and modeling a professional demeanor while efficiently performing the required job duties.  

• Communication skills, especially the ability to guide conversations and achieve employment goals effectively & efficiently. 

• Facilitation and public speaking skills with the ability to deliver training workshops in a variety of settings on a 1-1 basis or for a group. 

• Critical thinking through a lens of empathy, compassion, equity, innovation & inclusion.  

• Understanding of grant funded programs, eligibility criteria, databases & reporting parameters. 

• Ability to work independently, autonomously and toward JobTrain’s mission and career development team goals (i.e.: organization & task management, set and meet personal and professional goals, use adequate discernment). 

• Broad familiarity with software and systems (i.e.: MS Suite, spreadsheets, databases, meeting technology, etc.) 

• Must be able to travel to different sites as needed, within Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties, including occasional evenings and weekends. 

Compensation and Benefits: 

JobTrain offers a competitive salary, 401K with an employer match after joining, EAP and emergency services, vacation time, paid sick leave, long-term disability and life insurance.  We also pay employees for 10 observed holidays including a whole week off between Christmas Eve and New Years Day. 

 
Based on our career ladders the starting rate is as follows: 

 
CDS 1 : $32.46 

CDS 2 : $34.73 

Additional Information

We want applicants who are interested in JobTrain’s mission, and we encourage you to attach a cover letter to explain why you are interested in JobTrain and how your experience matches with our needs.

At JobTrain, we take the interview process very seriously. If you are selected to move through the process you should expect a couple of telephone screen calls and one or two Zoom / on-site interviews as part of the interview process.

JobTrain is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Additionally, JobTrain does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnic background, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or national origin.

Also, please note:

• Our focus is on local candidates, we do not offer relocation benefits.
• Successful candidates must have legal residency and work eligibility in the United States (per INS Form I-9 instructions).
• JobTrain will require the successful candidate to undergo a background check.