The Job Navigator works with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), who have experienced a number of barriers to employment related and unrelated to having lived in one or more violent relationships.  IPV related work barriers include interrupted work history due to controlling nature of partner, poor work performance due to injury or distracted thinking, PTSD reaction creating sensitivity to constructive feedback, mental health and substance abuse issues as a result of coping with IPV, and poor attendance due to court, healthcare visits, and attending to traumatized children.  The Job Navigator is primarily responsible for assessing and evaluating participant job readiness, skills, and interests, while educating and assisting participants in the employment search process.  The Job Navigator assists with the application process, completes skills assessments and helps survivors identify and problem solve barriers.  The Job Navigator employs a variety of office and field activities, like meeting participants at job fairs, to meet the needs of individuals.  A working knowledge of training, education and employment opportunities is a must, as this position compiles related documentation and completes various educational sessions to build the skills needed for obtaining/searching for employment. In addition, this position is responsible for maintaining and building employer and training programs database that have been screened by HRM’s victim supportive standards.  Participants in the Service Coordination and Safe Homes programs are all victims of IPV and have experienced complex traumatic events that shape how they interact with the people around them. The Job Navigator must have a firm understanding of trauma, the effects of trauma, engaging traumatized people, and must be comfortable working in a Voluntary Services program model.

Primary Responsibilities:

·         Work with participants to assess employment, training and/or skill barriers to determine employment and educational needs. Make introductory contact within 48 hours of receiving case assignments.

·         Work collaboratively with participant to create an individualized plan for workforce improvement with goal timeline for completion.  Coordinate this plan with participant’s strength-based/solution-focused individualized service plan that Service Coordinator and participant have developed to promote safe housing and self-sufficiency.

·         Provide information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs including but not limited to uniform/training fees, Certifications, Trainings and other opportunities to remove barriers to employment.

·         Provide education, mediation and advocacy with employers on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain employment safely.

·         Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. Employment temp agencies, Employers, Job Fairs, MDND, Baltimore Outreach) with appropriate releases of information.

·         Maintain paper and electronic case files in keeping with program standards, including but not limited to ETO reporting and funders’ required data in paper and electronic files.  Assist Lead Service Coordinator and Associate Director in compiling necessary statistical data and narrative for grant reports and applications.

·         Apply knowledge around employability to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities.

·         Work with participants to clearly identify support people in the participant’s life and how they might contribute to the participant achieving goals.

·         Guide and support participants to increase self-sufficiency skills, safety, education on domestic violence, and problem solving.  Educate immigrant participants on American processes and systems including teaching self-advocacy skills and advocating on behalf of participants when necessary to achieve participant goals.

·         Coordinate participant’s use of agency and community services to provide comprehensive and unduplicated services that maximize participant success, including organizing team meetings as necessary.

·         Arrange for interpretation services as necessary.

·         Visit participants in community environments that have been determined to be safe, including job training sites, job fairs, and occasional home visits.

·         Participate in Service Coordination Team meetings and make recommendations concerning individual eligibility for employment.

·         Provide relief and back-up coverage in emergency and urgent situations if required.

·         Answer 24 hour hotline as part of rotating team of staffing.

·         Other Duties as assigned.

Experience/ Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services field or three years’ experience providing navigation of services assistance, employment/career services experience, case management, or victim centered advocacy. 
• Knowledge of local human services programs/ agencies and employment resources.
• Excellent oral and written interpersonal skills with a strong ability to relate to a diverse range of individuals including victims, children, donors, business leaders, and human service providers.
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and timelines.
• Clean driving record, current state driver’s license, and reliable personal transportation.
• Ability to understand intimate partner violence and how it affects the client population.
•  Must pass Criminal Background Check.