Career and Financial Coach

Title: Career and Financial Coach (WIOA)

Reports To: Economic Development Manager- Workforce

Department: Economic Development

Location: Oakland, CA

Schedule: Monday through Friday

Travel: Local travel may be required

Salary: $28

Employee Status: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt

Supervises: N/A

Benefits:

Two weeks of paid vacation a year, sick time, 14 holidays, up to five floating holidays based on employee status, medical and dental benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of employment, life insurance policy at no cost to employee (with the option of increasing policy amount), flexible spending account for medical and dependent care costs, commuter benefits, 403(b) with employer match, and other benefits. We foster a joyful workplace and offer opportunities for professional development and growth.

Agency Summary

The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with a 61-year history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.

Our programs aim to provide the community with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more than 11,000 individuals and families annually in five languages. Programs include: early childhood education, youth mentorship and leadership development, employment services, career readiness training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services, affordable housing and neighborhood development, and arts and cultural events. Our work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and reaches across Oakland and Contra Costa County. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 340 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve.

Department Summary

The Community Programs department offers a spectrum of integrated services to remove barriers and develop skills and resources for youth, adults, seniors and small-business owners to achieve and maintain equitable economic, career, housing and wellness outcomes. Services include: 1) achievement, career and wellness youth programs; 2) career, employment, financial and housing coaching and resources; 3) small-business development; 4) support services for our low-income properties and for seniors. Services are multi-lingual, culturally-rooted and available for Oakland or East Bay residents (based on funding).

Position Summary

The Career and Financial Coach for Employment Pipeline programs will support adults to develop skills and remove barriers to success, to meet their career and financial goals, and help them enhance their economic self-sufficiency and career mobility. The Coach provides a range of services, including assessment, career coaching, job readiness training, job placement, placement into certificated training programs, and financial support screening and resources. The Coach will work closely with a team addressing whole-person needs and will receive professional development opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Assess individuals for eligibility and enroll into various career and educational services.
• Create individualized career and financial plans, set action items and follow up with clients as needed.
• Follow processes to place clients into vocational training programs and On-the-Job Training agreements.
• Identify potential barriers to success and provide light case management, supportive service navigation and referrals to remove or reduce barriers (for a maximum of 20 active client caseload).
• Conduct orientations and service presentations to interested individuals.
• Co-facilitate job readiness and skill building workshops for individuals and small groups.
• Orient clients to career pathways in various sectors, i.e. transportation, custodial, and construction.
• Follow-up with clients after job placement to assess retention and provide additional support as needed.
• Gather baseline financial and credit information and refer clients to the Financial Services team as needed.
• Follow data entry and quality assurance protocols to maintain client files and service data for registered participants including intake form, credit report, case notes and individual plans.
• Participate in planning career fairs, and other recruitment strategies.
• Work collaboratively with other internal programs, external partners, businesses and training providers.
• Attend team meetings, training and supervision as scheduled.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

• A minimum of one year’s experience in career or vocational services with adults or providing social services and resource navigation.
• Some college coursework is preferred but may be replaced with one additional year of experience.
• Experience working with low income, diverse populations who face multiple barriers to employment.
• Ability to present information that is easy to comprehend for clients with varying educational levels.
• Experience with case management or managing client accounts is highly desired.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Capacity to assume responsibility for achieving outcomes, balance competing priorities and deadlines, and demonstrate resourcefulness and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding organization and analytical skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work as a team member and possess an enthusiastic and collaborative approach.
• Follow data collection protocols, collect information from clients and update service records as needed.
• Strong alignment with The Unity Council’s social equity values, mission and vision.
• Bilingual skills are required, in Spanish or Mam.

Essential Functions

• Advanced computer skills with strong MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and social media skills.
• Regularly required to operate standard office equipment (personal computer, photocopier, fax, etc.)
• Regularly required to sit for long periods of time and occasionally stand and walk.
• Regularly required to use hands to operate computer and other office equipment.

Pre-Employment Requirements

This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities or requirements for the position. This position may change or assume additional duties at any time.

Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.