Career Development Specialist

Salary Range: $45-50K

Job Summary

The Career Development Specialist will facilitate career support activities using a strength-based and client-centered approach to include in-person and virtual career development workshops and individual support, including partnering with adult clients as they complete key tasks such as resume writing, interview preparation, and job search activities. Represent the Career Support team at agency-wide community events and networking activities. Coordinate with A Wider Circle network and volunteers to help clients gain insights from industry professionals to enhance their resumes, interviews, and job searches. Support efforts to continuously assess and enhance the content and delivery of career support to our clients.

The work schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, 8:30 am -5:30 pm.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Essential functions-primary responsibilities

• Support a wide range of A Wider Circle’s Career Support adult clients using trauma-informed and culturally-informed principles.
• Inform clients of our services and processes and partner with them as needed to complete key career development goals.
• Conduct workshops and other presentations and facilitate conversations with AWC clients, volunteers, and guest speakers.
• Represent the AWC Career Support team at tabling events or potentially in collaborations with community partners in the DMV.
• Record and enter client interactions and goal progress in the agency’s Apricot database.
• Work closely with our Career Counselor and Director of Career Support to bring in their expertise and help clients understand how AWC’s career counseling and coaching services work and what benefits they provide.
• Provide input based on client needs and experiences to improve processes, including the subject and curriculum of workshops and classes, the use and development of tools and templates to aid job seekers, and our strategies to engage clients.
• Collaborate with AWC’s other programs to ensure a seamless delivery of services to mutual clients.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends and practices in career development by participating in professional development training, career development workshops, webinars, conferences, and other workforce development activities.
• Learn and apply best practices from coaching and career counseling (training provided) to provide tailored support to your caseload of clients. Particular focus areas are deep listening; powerful inquiry, and motivational interviewing; seeing and recognizing the individual and their unique strengths and talents; acknowledging incremental growth and progress; inspiring authenticity and self-acceptance; and respecting the full dignity and autonomy of the individual.

Required Skills /Abilities

• Ability to pivot and be flexible as client and agency needs dictate.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize tasks.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Proficiency with Zoom, Google Suite, MS Suite, and/or other related software.

Required experience

• Associate’s Degree in social work, human services, psychology, or related field.
• Two years of workforce development, career development, community development, or related experience working closely with clients on key employment tasks such as resume writing, application support, and interviewing.
• Experience serving individuals experiencing poverty and/or in low-income / high-poverty neighborhoods.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care.

Preferred education and experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work, human services, psychology, or related field.
• Bilingual and/or experience working with Spanish-speaking individuals living in poverty, especially refugees and those that have recently immigrated to the United States.

Work authorization/security clearance requirements

Must be authorized to work in the United States

Work environment

The Career Development Specialist will have a dedicated workspace to maintain confidentiality.

Physical demands

Sitting for prolonged periods of time. Heavy computer activity.

Other duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Travel required

Minimal travel includes traveling between AWC office locations in Silver Spring and Washington, DC. Most days will be entirely dedicated to one location or another based on programmatic needs.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

A Wider Circle provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. The company takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants and employees are treated during the application process and post-hiring employment without regard to any of these characteristics. Discrimination of any type is not tolerated.