JVS is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency.  Our mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers, and to partner with employers to hire, develop and retain productive workforces. JVS provides a broad range of services, including adult education, skills training, job readiness training, job placement and support, and access to post-secondary education. JVS assists employers in their search for well-qualified job applicants and their initiatives to upgrade the skills of their incumbent workforces. MassHire Downtown Boston is operated by JVS Boston and is one of 21 MassHire One-Stop Career Center locations in the state of Massachusetts. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

JVS MassHire seeks a Resource Access Navigator to deliver innovative, customer-focused career services through the MassHire Downtown Boston One Stop Career Center. In collaboration with the Career Center team, the Navigator helps job seekers from diverse backgrounds overcome barriers and secure employment.

This role provides compassionate, one-on-one coaching to empower individuals in overcoming challenges and achieving economic stability. By delivering empathetic, personalized, and actionable support, the Navigator plays a critical role in assessing clients’ holistic needs, identifying and addressing barriers to employment, and guiding clients to access essential services.

This role requires strong interpersonal and listening skills, exceptional customer service, and technology proficiency. This position involves collaborating effectively with larger MassHire Downtown Boston team, the JVS barrier removal team. The ideal candidate will leverage their knowledge of Boston-area resources to connect clients with essential social services and benefits.

The Resource Access Navigator will oversee special projects and initiatives assigned by Career Center management. This is a hybrid position that requires both onsite work at 75 Federal Street, Boston, MA, and remote work from home.

Primary Responsibilities

• Deliver one-on-one coaching to help job seekers overcome employment barriers.
• Connect clients with social services, benefits, and Boston-area resources.
• Assess client needs and provide empathetic, actionable support for economic stability.
• Collaborate with career navigators, barrier removal teams, and MassHire staff.
• Manage special projects and initiatives assigned by management.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Career Coaching for Resource Access (75%)

• Provide compassionate, one-on-one coaching sessions for clients with diverse backgrounds to assess their holistic needs, identify and address barriers to employment, and guide clients to access essential services.
  • Assist clients in identifying, navigating, and overcoming employment barriers to achieve economic stability.
  • Equip clients with the knowledge and resources needed to create actionable plans for overcoming barriers.
  • Collaborate with clients to establish measurable, achievable goals that facilitate long-term success.
• Accurately assess and document clients’ needs, connecting them to appropriate social services and other relevant resources.
• Support clients through multiple coaching sessions, ensuring that each barrier is addressed and removed effectively.
• Maintain accurate, detailed notes and records in the MOSES database after each appointment to track progress and outcomes.

Webinar/Workshop Presentations (5%)

• Co-lead educational webinars, workshops, or small group sessions to highlight important resources and information to help clients overcome barriers to employment.
• Facilitate engaging workshops with expertise and professionalism, utilizing adult education methodologies and interactive facilitation techniques, whether conducted in-person or virtually. Leverage technology to maximize participant interaction and enhance learning outcomes.

Resource Building Portfolio (20%)

• Develop and maintain relationships with partner organizations to expand resources and opportunities for clients.
• Create, organize, and maintain folders, files, and support documents to effectively share information with clients and the team.
• Assist in the creation of forms, flyers, and other documents to communicate with partners, clients, and team members.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

Skills and Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and active listening skills.
• Exceptional customer service orientation.
• Technology proficiency for delivering innovative, tech-driven career services.
• Knowledge of Boston-area resources and social service benefits.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.

Building Relationships, Collaboration, and Teamwork:

• Support and promote the mission and philosophy of JVS / MHDB both internally and outside the agency.
• Function as part of the JVS and MHDB teams to provide high quality workforce development and employment services. 
• Interact in a team environment and establish / maintain harmonious working relationships with key stakeholders (participants, colleagues, partner organizations, funders, etc.). 
• Serve and refer customers in accordance with the requirements of the One Stop Career Center Charter and ensure that services are based on individuals’ career goals.
• Work effectively with other program and administrative staff to ensure the smooth referral of customers to appropriate services and employment opportunities.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and team-oriented projects.
• Assist other Career Center team members as needed.

Accountability and Results Focused:

• Understand and apply knowledge of available job search resources.
• Apply knowledge of local and national labor market trends to assist job seekers with identifying viable career opportunities.
• Participate in meetings and planning sessions with JVS and MassHire staff to devise and implement strategies that improve performance and service delivery.   
• Establish and monitor program performance by using the Massachusetts One Stop Employment System (MOSES) to meet and/or exceed objectives.  

Administrative/Communication:

• Adheres to and implements policies and best practices mandated by the Massachusetts One Stop Career Center Charter, ensuring compliance and consistency. 
• Upholds a professional demeanor consistently as a public-facing team member, exemplifying strong customer service skills in all interactions. 
• Communicates effectively and empathetically, demonstrating proficiency in both verbal and written communication, while maintaining a high standard of professionalism. 
• Exercises discretion and integrity when handling confidential or proprietary information, prioritizing privacy and security. 
• Actively participates in meetings, developmental trainings, team projects, and volunteers for committee assignments to contribute to organizational growth and collaboration. 
• Maintains regular communication with supervisors to facilitate the seamless delivery of workforce development services, fostering a supportive and efficient work environment. 
• Undertakes additional duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and willingness to contribute to the overall success of the team and organization.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• BA in Education, Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology
• Experience with case management (e.g. in the areas of healthcare, education, coaching, or counseling)
• Emergency intervention, crisis resolution, urgent/crisis response 
• Advanced computer and technology competency required. Previous experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, and Zoom highly preferred.
• Excellent organizational and communication (written and verbal) skills. 
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills to effectively engage with diverse individuals (including staff, clients, and stakeholders). 
• Previous experience supporting culturally diverse populations is highly valued.
• Familiarity with the MassHire Career Center system, the MOSES database, and a keen awareness of regional employment trends is advantageous. 

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Accountable, adaptable, and results-focused
• Communication, collaboration, and teamwork
• Customer service and external relations
• Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting
• Self-motivated and willing to learn and apply new skills
• Planning and organizing
• Cultural competency and respect

MENTAL DEMANDS                                                      

• Reading
• Detailed Work
• Problem Solving
• Language
• Confidentiality

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sitting
• Speaking
• Attendance
• Listening

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Frequent meetings with clients and employers.
• May be requested to work outside of scheduled hours as defined by the needs of the department.
• Some travel by public transportation as necessary. 
• May attend occasional off-site meetings with partner organizations in and around the greater Boston area.

JVS CULTURE:   JVS is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, JVS will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality services.

JVS is an employment at-will organization and an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, JVS prohibits retaliation against an applicant or employee because he or she has engaged in protected activity under the statutes prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.