Peer Workforce Program Navigator

ProsperityME is seeking a Peer Workforce Navigator to coordinate outreach, job placement, and linkage to opportunities that connect members of the refugee, immigrant and asylee community and others with low-income to workforce opportunities, including good jobs, registered apprenticeship and training programs, unemployment benefits and support services and benefits, such as Childcare, SNAP and TANF, and more! Our Peer Navigator will be responsible for developing expertise in job placement, unemployment insurance and other support services, and will provide financial education services including financial literacy and small business development courses, one-on-one financial counseling and coaching. 

Description

• Develops a strong understanding of workforce development, registered apprenticeships, and job placement opportunities, as well as unemployment insurance and other important services to help people access these programs and opportunities.

• Builds relationships with key stakeholders in the region, career center staff, workforce development organizations, key people at state or local agencies, social service providers, apprenticeship directors, union leaders, organizations working with directly impacted populations and more.

• Works with Directors and teams to build and promote our workforce program and the navigator network to community members to encourage participation and to refer others who can benefit from our support. 

• Develops educational resources on workforce program, including financial education and support for individuals and families, staff, community business partners. Instructs financial education and job skills classes.

• Works with communications team to share information about the peer workforce navigator program, highlight success stories, educate people about workforce-related opportunities and supports, and support community members in sharing their stories to encourage others to be involved.

• Participates and leads a variety of outreach and organizing strategies to improve awareness of the navigator program. This could include word of mouth outreach, door-to-door canvassing, events, digital outreach and more.

• Works with team and other peer workforce navigators on all aspects of this project – training, data entry, leadership development, communications, meetings, special projects and more. 

• Develops good systems for training and onboarding new volunteer navigators.

• Attends and participates in individual and team check in’s, staff meetings, and meetings as required from grantors or program support.

• Collaboration with community and community partners to support programs and services, including assistance and participation in public awareness and education events in communities.

• Other duties, as assigned by ProsperityME Director of Programs and Leadership Team.

Work Environment

The position involves close communication with both the Director of Programs and the Project Director of the Peer Workforce Navigator Project. It involves interaction with clients, job applicants, students and staff teams. It requires daily use of information technology and hard copy documents within an office setting and in the community. It requires the ability to teach in a classroom setting for sustained periods (one hour or more). It requires periodic travel in Maine. From time to time, it requires transporting, lifting, and carrying materials to events and meetings. General office hours are between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm with events and meetings occurring occasionally outside of these hours.

Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Conditions

• Education and professional experience equivalent to a minimum of 2 years in education, career services, coaching, business or financial services.

• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to different situations and tasks from day to day.

• Ability to understand key programs – workforce, apprenticeship, unemployment, support services – and help people successfully access and navigate these programs.

• Ability to do effective one-on-one training with members, train groups of people and develop trainings and curriculum.

• Organizing experience working with people and moving them to action. Experience working with community and community-based agencies and support services.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, collaborate, and build teams and work effectively in a team environment in both a lead and a support role.

• Ability to work independently within the context of a plan. Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks, and demonstrated experience in developing personal work plans and goals is desired.

• Must have or be able to hold and maintain active certifications relevant to role, as available.

• Computer proficiency is required: Database/spreadsheet, email, internet, word processing, etc.

• Travel required, must have reliable transportation and ability to travel across southern Maine.

• Experience working with minorities, immigrants, and refugee communities.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and able to present course material in a professional manner.

• Ability to communicate in English, both verbal and written. 

• Ability to prioritize and complete tasks efficiently and within deadlines.

• Current driver’s license and/or ability to travel to meetings and events.

• Willingness to undergo criminal background check.

Preferred

Credentialing in finance, economics, or other business functions.

Ability to speak language(s) in addition to English. 

Salary & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and an outstanding benefits package including medical/dental, 401(k), short, long-term disability and life insurance and generous PTO and paid holidays.

Application Procedure

Submit a letter of interest or cover letter, resume, and 3 references to ProsperityME, P.O. Box 8013, Portland, ME  04104 or via email to Ellen Billie, Deputy Director, at ebillie@prosperityme.org. No phone calls please. The position will remain open until filled.