Career Navigator

Accountability:

The Career Center Navigator is the gateway to The Workforce Connection and will work to engage and welcome customers in a knowledgeable and friendly manner. Will help customers navigate their next step by providing a rapid assessment to determine visitor needs, provide accurate program information, and guide customers to appropriate staff and services. Coordinate information and services with partner programs and staff.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

Administrative

• Provide a welcoming, knowledgeable, and professional first impression to all customers and guests at The Workforce Connection.
• Answers calls coming into the main line and manages calls appropriately.
• Maintain an understanding of entire career center operations and activities to provide accurate center and partner information.
• Communicate with The Workforce Connection staff and partners to ensure customer needs are met.
• Perform clerical work, including inputting data, and providing reports.
• Maintain career center monthly calendar.
• Participate in position cross-training with a variety of staff.
• Utilize Internet and required data systems to track and report information.
• Monitor overall appearance of the Center, ensuring all areas remains safe, clean and free of clutter.
• Assist customers in the Career Center as needed.

Participant Assistance

• Assists customers at The Workforce Connection and volunteer or student/temporary worker assistants as needed.
• Provide a rapid assessment to ascertain visitors’ needs and guide them to appropriate services.
• Find innovative solutions to customer and partner challenges and exhibit patience and compassion in dealing with issues.
• Perform online testing and assessments, utilizing available resources, assessments, and career exploration tools.

Communication

• Exhibit excellent communication skills, including active listening.
• Build and maintain employer and community partner relationships to provide outreach for The Workforce Connection services and programs.

The above list of responsibilities is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities or duties required. Employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned.

Environment:

The work is conducted at The Workforce Connection Career Center in Rockford, with some travel to local access points in the 3-county area. Work involves frequent interaction with the public. Hours are primarily daytime hours, but on occasion, can include evening and/or weekend hours. The environment is typically climate-controlled and may include moderate noise from conversations, phones, and office equipment. The role requires regular computer use, and occasional movement throughout the building to support program needs.

Sensory and Physical Requirements:

Ability to efficiently and effectively perform all functions of the job. Ability to clearly communicate program details and information to both funders and the public.

Characteristic Functions:

• Professional and friendly approach to create a welcoming atmosphere.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to create innovative solutions for job seekers.

Principal Challenges:

• Working with diverse staff and customers.

Disclaimer:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the employee's supervisor. Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to perform this job successfully. The incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitude to perform each duty proficiently. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who represent a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

Goodwill of Northern Illinois is an equal opportunity employer.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The employment relationship is at will.

Qualifications & Basic Job Requirements:

• A combination of education and relevant work experience that aligns with the duties of this position.
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals with barriers to employment and understand and communicate with diverse groups.
• The ability to motivate and assist individuals in performing work.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High customer service focus.
• Functional use of Adobe and Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Bilingual with Spanish language highly desired.