Career Engagement Specialist

The Center for People is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative services and programs to the low-income community in Lincoln, Nebraska, addressing basic needs and providing opportunities to achieve economic independence for our clients. 

The Center has been fighting poverty in Lincoln, Nebraska since 2003. We are the Food Bank of Lincoln's largest partner, distributing food to more than 5,400 low-income families. We are also home to Lincoln's first Diaper Bank, established to meet the growing need for diapers in our community. Education is the key to helping low-income individuals obtain economic independence. As such, the Center developed educational and training programs to help people obtain employment with a living wage.

We are currently looking for a Career Engagement Specialist. This position is a full-time, 40 hour per week, onsite position. 

GENERAL FUNCTIONS

The Career Engagement Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive guidance, support, and accountability to all educational program participants. According to the Center for People's written plans and standards of care, this person will create and support individualized service plans, facilitate coaching and career goal-setting sessions, share education and skill-development options, and manage outcomes utilizing specified tools and techniques. This role requires a high service level approach to successfully recruit and support program participants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Explore career interests, educational options, and goals of prospective program participants through a comprehensive intake process
• Develop individualized service plans that include barrier reduction assistance and indicate the participant’s overall career goal
• Assist program participants with resumes, with enrollment in Talent Marketplace, and with interview preparedness
• Manage and support outcomes, utilizing organization-specified tools and techniques that align with funder requirements and measure program impact
• Schedule, facilitate, and document coaching sessions with program participants to review and update their service plans and distribute barrier reduction assistance as identified in the service plan
• Serve as the first point of contact for program participants who experience basic need barriers and assist in finding solutions
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with other service organizations that may be of assistance to program participants
• Document all contacts with and services provided to program participants
• Participate in marketing, outreach, and recruitment efforts to attract program participants
• Regularly promote our educational opportunities through our People’s Pantry food and diaper distribution programs
• Work in partnership with all educational program specialists
• Maintain a warm, welcoming, and professional environment in educational programming physical spaces
• Support the front desk operations by demonstrating exceptional, attentive, and informed care
• Support a career and skill-building-focused atmosphere

• Assist in collecting and documenting longitudinal data on program impact
• Ability to manage time effectively and discipline to work autonomously
• Maintain situational awareness of the learning environment and the location of program participants
• Support strategic leadership in response to affirming organizational goals
• Operate following all contracts, government regulations, and Center for People policies and procedures
• Exhibit high integrity and ability to set and maintain ethical professional boundaries
• Maintain a flexible work schedule to ensure organizational needs are being met, including evenings and weekends. This role does require supporting our community outside of regular business hours. Advance scheduling will be communicated
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with diverse populations in a positive, courteous, and helpful manner
• Knowledge of industry trends and best practices related to education and career development
• Familiarity with online education platforms and technology
• Knowledge of local community agencies and resources
• Knowledge of effective coaching methodologies and best practices to identify and address potential barriers to success
• Willingness and ability to learn new software programs
• Ability to receive constructive feedback
• Ability to take personal accountability for fulfilling job responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative and ownership of personal performance
• Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to promote teamwork and maintain positive working relationships
• Skilled at possessing professionalism, courtesy, tact, and sound judgment

DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Organizational Development, or related field preferred OR minimum of 4 years of work experience in case management, career or educational counseling, or related field. Multilingual is a plus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

● Graduation from a senior high school or equivalent required
● Valid Nebraska driver’s license and current motor vehicle insurance
● Must be legally authorized to work inside the United States

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with recognized disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear and frequently is required to sit, stand, and walk. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus when operating a computer and working with numbers. Work is primarily in an indoor setting. Occasional local travel for networking and community events. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

BENEFITS INCLUDE: 

• Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Plan (403b) 

CFP is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.