Career Navigator

The San Diego Workforce Partnership is the leader for innovative workforce solutions in San Diego County. We fund and deliver job training programs that enable all job seekers to develop the skills and knowledge needed for in-demand careers. Our vision is that every business in our region has access to a skilled workforce and every job seeker has access to meaningful employment. We seek to earn trust and inspire growth in every action we take.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Career Center Manager, the Career Navigator will provide WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Adult and Dislocated Worker career services through the network of America’s Job Center (AJC) (also referred to as career centers) located throughout San Diego County. This role involves providing career services to program participants to facilitate their growth and development, participation in core program activities, and support in achieving performance outcomes resulting in meaningful job placements. The Career Navigator supports Client Services and Programs departments with assigned initiatives and collaborates with internal staff, governmental agencies, and community partners serving common participants. The Career Navigator adheres to operational policies on participation criteria and compiles necessary reporting on program-specific metrics and is a subject matter expert in multiple public service areas, including WIOA or workforce development-related programs, Employment Development Department (EDD) services, Department of Rehabilitation, and CalWORKS & CalFresh services. The role requires in-person and on-site excellence in tracking performance goals and a continuous focus on enhancing client satisfaction at an assigned career center.

Essential Functions

• Provide career coaching and run necessary reports to help case management.

• Develop and implement Individual Employment Plans (IEPs) in partnership with participants to guide next steps and manage progress towards goals.

• Help identify which program track fits each participant’s goals, needs, and interests based on the IEP and assessments provided.

• Connect participants to workshops and next steps of individual planning sessions.

• Conduct initial assessments (including career interests and training readiness) for participants.

• Coach and assist job participants in identifying training opportunities within the WIOA training resources.

• Provide guidance and coaching to support participants in accessing occupational training and conducting job searches.

• Ensure each participant is equipped with the basic employment interpersonal skills necessary to successfully participate in training and find and retain employment.

• Assist participants with training applications, as needed.

• Discuss participant progress with training providers, as appropriate, and ensure support is in place to ensure the participant successfully completes training programs.

• Provide or link participants to services that alleviate participants’ immediate emergency basic needs and stressors or barriers that prevent them from meeting program goals.

• Maintain regular in-person contact (averaging 6 contacts per quarter) with program participants until the participant achieves employment goal and/or disengages from the program.

• Participate in regional training and case manager meetings.

• Ensure that exceptional customer service is provided to each participant.

• Follow the internal policies and procedures that are in the Workforce Partnership’s Operations Manual.

• Meet or exceed local performance measures that are set each program quarter and year.

• Track participant progress in CalJOBS and Salesforce databases.

• Create an environment in which participants are motivated to increase their self-sufficiency through education and increased employment skills.

• Keep accurate written records and case files that are necessary to meet program requirements.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of program activities and, if necessary, recommend modifications to processes and procedures and submit to leadership.

• Work alongside the Training team to align training opportunities for participants.

• Work in partnership with interdepartmental teams to connect to specific training opportunities and create talent pipelines for participants.

• Be familiar with the different program options available in the Partner Portal and make referrals for participants.

• Attend internal and external meetings with training providers, partners, and stakeholders representing the Workforce Partnership’s mission and vision.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in human services, counseling, or related field.
• Two to four (2-4) years’ workforce development experience.
• Two to four (2-4) years’ experience providing related field case management.
• Knowledge of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
• Strong writing and verbal skills. Ability to build effective relationships with teammates and partner organizations.
• Computer proficiency, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Fundamental Requirements

• Master’s degree in human services, counseling, or related field.
• Experience using Salesforce.
• An empathetic, person-centered approach to case management.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Our Values

Compassion, Collaboration, Opportunity. 

We Love to Take Care of Our Workforce Associates –

We offer a great work environment, a culture that values individuality and inclusion, collaborative and innovative teams, and a competitive pay and benefits package. Our benefits include: PTO, PTO sell-back program, generous employer-paid benefits (platinum plans), company-paid learning and professional development program, pension plan and 457 retirement plan additional employee wellness. Compensation for this position ranges from $31.36-$43.98.

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. If you are hired at San Diego Workforce Partnership, your final base salary (within the pay range), will be determined based on factors such as education, knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members when determining any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer generous benefits and retirement plans.

At the Workforce Partnership, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, and the work that we do in the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace for all. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

San Diego Workforce Partnership is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.