Career Counselor

Position Summary: Change Inc. utilizes the power of relationships and community to create educational, training and healing opportunities for children, youth, young adults and families so that they can achieve their highest ambition. We provide services for children and families in the Twin Cities through GAP School, the Community & School Collaborative, and Change Institute. Change Inc. lives the following values: Relationships are the key to change. In all of our programming, we strive to create and enhance relational resources. We believe that a relationship with a caring adult is the key protective factor for a young person. Cultural knowledge is critical to growth and healing. Utilization of cultural practice, tradition and wisdom is central to our mentoring and healing work. Being in community is a critical resource for human development. We strive to be builders of community. Working collaboratively with young people, families and communities to identify and address the needs they have identified is a key standard of our approach. We believe that everyone can learn, and people can solve their own problems. Hope is an essential element to encouraging people challenged by poverty, racism, trauma and transition. We bring a strength-based, problem-solving attitude to our work, removing barriers to success in school and life. The Construction Career Pathway Counselor is a key part of the Youth Employment and Training department. The primary duty is to coordinate and manage deliverables in the Career Pathway program that assists students to transition into jobs and secondary education; assist in the design, evaluation and implementation of relevant career and college readiness curriculum; and lead case management and advising processes. Build rapport and assist participants in making critical decisions that address life goals and challenges. The Coordinator will help prepare participants as they prepare to transition into employment, apprenticeships, and post-secondary education. They will also work with employers, program partners, and case managers to find opportunities that align with students’ interests and goals. Networking and maintaining strong relationships with employers are key to the success of this role. Essential Responsibilities: Develop and maintain relationships with employers to create job shadowing, internship, and employment opportunities for youth and young adults. Network with community career and job readiness entities to ensure access to a wide range of career pathways and employment opportunities. Represent Change Inc.’s GAP School locally and nationally in career development, workforce readiness, and education-to-employment forums. Collaborate closely with case managers, pathway managers, and education staff to align individual service plans with career goals. Build strong, supportive relationships with program participants that promote trust, accountability, and long-term success. Coach and prepare candidates for job interviews, workplace expectations, and successful entry into the workforce. Provide career exploration, planning, and development guidance to students, including interest assessments and resume/portfolio development. Maintain accurate documentation of participant progress, career plans, job placements, and follow-up activities in program databases. Facilitate career readiness workshops on topics such as job search strategies, professional communication, financial literacy, and workplace ethics. Partner with training providers, unions, and apprenticeship programs to connect participants to postsecondary and vocational pathways. Track labor market trends and share insights with staff and participants to inform training and employment strategies. Support participants in obtaining industry-recognized credentials or certifications aligned with their career goals. Support participants throughout placement, apprenticeship or employment to promote retention and long-term career success. Contribute to a positive, trauma-informed, and inclusive program environment that empowers all young people to achieve their goals. Other Responsibilities: Perform other duties as assigned Collaborate and cooperate with colleagues Work effectively with team members Work effectively independently Create positive, respectful work climate Solve problems Demonstrate high professional standards and work ethic Engage in your own growth and development Go the extra mile to help others and to build community Is an ambassador for Change Inc. and our mission Other duties as assigned Qualifications: High School Diploma required, bachelor's degree preferred 2-3 years of experience in a similar field Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfortable learning new software/systems Experience teaching, training or facilitating workforce readiness or career pathway instruction Strong ability to communicate in a diverse cultural environment with interpersonal skills Experience building partnerships with construction employers, contractors, labor unions, apprenticeship programs or industry associations. Experience in working in cross-cultural and urban community Experience working with English Language Learners Experience or demonstrated ability to work with adolescents/young adults Demonstrates initiative and ability to work independently Commitment to the mission and values of the organization Able to pass criminal and sex offender background checks, after a conditional job offer Change Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. #J-18808-Ljbffr Minnesota Council of Nonprofits