Career Services Manager, bizzNEST & Alumni

Full-time: 100% FTE, 40 hours per week

Compensation: $30.29 - 33.65 per hour, non-exempt

Benefits Overview: Medical, vision, dental and life insurance, vacation and sick time off, paid federal holidays, and retirement plan (See full job description for more details).

Organization Size: 50 Employees

Reports to: VP of Programs

Location(s): This role is eligible to work at any of our 5 work locations: Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto or Stockton. This role will travel to the other work locations as needed.

NOTE: This role has a hybrid work schedule for eligible employees for up to 2 days out of the week after the successful completion of the first 90 days of employment.

JOB OVERVIEW:

Digital NEST is an innovative workforce development center that has welcomed thousands of youth from working-class, farmworker communities to develop the technical and professional skills they need to achieve their dreams. It is an exciting time for the NEST. We are focused on growth and expansion to five communities across The Monterey Bay (MBR) and San Joaquin Valley (SJVR) Regions in Northern California. Digital NEST has Centers in the heart of Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto and Stockton. 

The Career Services Manager is responsible for the implementation of the career services program throughout the bizzNEST Internship and leading the design of the Alumni Program. The Manager will collaboratively develop the professional and career navigation services for members, providing training and technical assistance to staff and case management support to interns and members. To be successful in this role, the Manager will have strong project management skills, excellent communication and leadership skills, and experience working in a highly collaborative, dynamic environment. This position will report to the VP of Programs and will work closely in partnership across the program branches and program leadership. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Program Development and Management (40%)

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of Digital NEST’s new Alumni Services, including program scope, playbook, & processes for transitioning members and interns to alumni. 
• Lead the development of career services curriculum/workshop materials for our internship and collaborate on career services curriculum for all programs. Strategically incorporate instructional design best practices, project-based learning, and career readiness frameworks and standards. 
• Redesign the professional mentor program in collaboration with the VP of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation and the VP of Programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with our alumni. Identify key desired career readiness needs from former alumni and industry partners through ongoing engagement and assessment to maximize career readiness.
• Build and maintain relationships with key employers, managing employer led workshops and field trips for members in all three branches.
• Own and become the subject matter expert (SME) in the Career Navigation Competencies. 

• Lead program operations, including implementation, communications, database management, impact measurement and continuous improvement.

• Practice self-leadership; build cross-functional relationships; effectively communicate information and provide advice to drive projects forward; seek, listen to and address feedback; adapt to competing demands and new responsibilities; providing feedback to others, including upward feedback to the VP of Programs.
• Provide expertise on career trends, needs and opportunities.
• Develop a robust online library of trusted career resources to share with members and interns.

Facilitation and Career Coaching (35%)

• Manage an active caseload of bizzNEST interns, offering 1:1 and group career mentoring and coaching to support their next career steps, develop their resumes and portfolios, and prepare to apply to entry level jobs, apprenticeships and internships. 
• Facilitate Career Navigation Workshops for our interns at all five centers, in person and hybrid.
• Determine the model for and provide coaching and support to Digital NEST Alumni. 
• Collaborate cross functionally to support members in every branch of the organization develop their career navigation skills.

• Identify indicators (aligned to evaluation) to understand case management effectiveness and to establish and maintain a cadence for data collection.

Training and Collaboration (25%)

• Implement a train-the-trainer model across all five Digital NEST centers to support and coach the bizzNEST Internship Leads on coaching and career best practices. 
• Take a systemic approach and work in close partnership with the teams of the three program branches to advise on and guide the people/organizational change aspects of the execution of major projects. 
• Collaborate with community partners, leveraging external networks and connections to continuously seek best practices and learning from which the career services team/organization can benefit.
• Represent the Digital NEST as needed on relevant, external committees/task forces, as well as speaking engagements, conference panels and training. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 3 years of experience in managing/supervising staff and delivering high impact, career development programs and services.
• At least 3 years in curriculum development and teaching or facilitation with youth.
• At least 7 years of cumulative full-time experience coordinating complex projects/initiatives, or comparable experience in career services, workforce development and/or education fields.
• Sound understanding of career development frameworks, methods and approaches.
• Strong curriculum development skills and understanding of learning frameworks. 
• Demonstrates high levels of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Well-developed planning and organization skills, high level of attention to detail, ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to think and act with a global mindset, culturally sensitive and aware.
• Strong results orientation with a demonstrated ability to oversee practical, solution-driven initiatives that are perceived as adding value to the organization.
• Outstanding leadership and communication skills (written and verbal) with ability to present views in a clear and compelling manner and develop trust and influence at all levels.
• Ability to train staff in the knowledge and skills of any program staff position within their area; working knowledge and demonstrated skills in training and coaching professionals, para-professionals and youth.
• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and priorities.
• Organizational and time management skills, and high degree of attention to details.

PREFERRED-BUT-NOT-REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Conversational or fluent in spoken Spanish; fluent in written Spanish.
• Expertise and experience in curriculum development, instructional design and learning frameworks.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Passion for the mission of Digital NEST and belief in upholding organization’s core values.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to issues of culture/ethnicity/race, gender, sexual identity, class/socioeconomic status and immigration status.
• Ability to be an ally to people of color, women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning and intersex individuals and their allies (LGBTQIA).
• Participate in NEST evening and weekend programs and events on an occasional basis; facilitate youth involvement in these programs and events. 
• Candidates must be able to travel and work evenings or weekends occasionally, or as needed.

NOTE: The job offer will be contingent upon the successful completion and passing of a background check.

ABOUT OUR BENEFITS: We take a holistic approach to wellness, physical, emotional, and financial. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% Agency Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance for the employee
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement Benefit with up to 2% employer match
• 10 Paid Vacation Days for Full-time Employees (non-Director and non-Chief positions)
• 13 Paid Holidays Annually Plus Business closure/holiday the week between Christmas Day and New Years Day
• Paid Sick Time Off
• Annual Parking Permit
• Flexible Work Schedule

We understand that no candidate is perfectly qualified for any job. Experience comes in different forms; many skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. Even more important than your resume is a clear demonstration of dedication, impact, and the ability to thrive in a fluid and collaborative environment. We want you to learn new things in this role and encourage you to apply if your experience is close to what we’re looking for. We also know that diversity of background and thought makes for better problem-solving and more creative thinking, so we're dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team. We look forward to hearing from you.

Digital NEST, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Digital NEST is committed to an inclusive experience for all applicants and will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations in the interview process, to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.  

Please refer to our career page for more information on how to apply for reasonable accommodations.

Salary : $30 - $34