Career Readiness Facilitator

Since 1982, over 160,000 youth have been helped with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) programs. Y.O.U. helps teens and young adults, ages 14-24 living in economically distressed communities succeed by providing educational and workforce opportunities, skills development, and access to career pathways. We offer school-based and community-based programs designed to meet the needs of Northeast Ohio employers, with a focus on those industry sectors that provide the most opportunities for career success. At Y.O.U., we are dedicated to excellence and continuous improvement of the quality of our services to youth, employers, and the community.

Job Purpose

The Career Readiness Facilitator will support career readiness training for the Open Doors Academy (ODA) partnership’s high school program and will support career readiness training and advising for the Planning and Career Exploration (PACE) program. The ODA & PACE curricula emphasize the development of self-awareness and essential soft skills and are designed to assist graduates’ successful placement, retention, and advancement in the workplace. The Career Readiness Facilitator is responsible for monitoring and mentoring current students in the programs; developing, evaluating, and maintaining curriculum, which includes teaching classes, monitoring and mentoring current students in the programs; tracking student progress and data and advising. . The Career Readiness Facilitator will act as the main liaison between Y.O.U. and ODA and works with Y.O.U. and ODA leadership to further develop and strengthen the partnership. The Career Readiness Facilitator serves as a mentor and creates lasting impressions on youth in the community and assists with pushing them forward to meet their future academic and career goals.

Essential Functions

• Facilitate career readiness lessons, workshops and advising at assigned schools/sites.
• Lead and assist youth in finalizing career plans by the close of the school year.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with youth throughout the year. Support and mentor youth.
• Build and maintain positive relationships within the school administration, school community, non-profit organization partners, and parents.
• Maintain and update the system database regarding program data and student information and attendance for organizational and school/site analysis.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure all students are completing the relevant activities.
• Utilize relationship management and communication skills to work with and follow up with schools/partners to ensure students can take full advantage of programming, assisting in the removal of barriers, including, but not limited to, technology needs.
• Mentor, advise, coach, and support all students as needed.
• Serve as an advisor to students, helping to ensure that they have a career vision and plan that they will pursue after graduation from high school.
• Collaborate with Lead Facilitator & DEI Specialist to connect advisees to relevant employment and training opportunities after high school graduation.
• Serve as a referral pipeline to other relevant Y.O.U. programming.
• Adhere to policies and procedures as outlined by Y.O.U. and at assigned public educational institutions where programming is held.
• Participate in school activities at assigned public educational institutions.
• Assist with curriculum development and revision.
• Maintain accurate records of all meetings, events, student data, and employer information. Provide reports as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision benefits available with coverage beginning the first of the month following date of hire.
• Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Parental Leave, Employee Assistance Program and Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan with generous employer contributions
• Generous paid time off package including 19 paid holidays
• Professional Development Assistance Program
• Access to a gym facility at the Y.O.U. Downtown Cleveland Office
• Paid Parking in Downtown Cleveland

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Humanities, or Social Services from an accredited college or university is required.

Requirements

• 1-3 years of experience working with at-risk youth and/or young adults as a coach, mentor, teacher, counselor, or other related position.
• Must have curriculum management experience, preferably in structured programming or a school setting.
• Experience with databases and database management.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office programs and have experience with databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
• Must have valid transportation to/from Y.O.U. offices, partner organizations, and other community-based locations to meet with clients.
• Must pass a background BCI/FBI check as a condition of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Belief and commitment to Y.O.U.’s mission, vision, and values.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong coordination and organizational skills.
• Comfortable using computer programs and relationship management systems for record keeping.
• Solution-oriented, adaptable, and flexible.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and initiatives at once.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team under minimal supervision.
• Facilitation and/or coaching experience.
• Growth Mindset.

Work Environment

• This is a hybrid position. This position may work remotely 1-2 days a week and will be scheduled to work at the ODA Office 1-2 days a week. During the school year, this position will spend the majority of the time working in a variety of school settings as scheduled/needed. During the summer months, this position will be assigned a summer work location to support programming. The work pace for this position is high paced and requires traveling to a variety of schools. Social interaction with participants and team members is required frequently.
• This position requires such physical abilities as sitting for computer and phone work, standing for periods of time during presentations, lifting up to 25 lbs periodically and carrying supplies, and walking throughout office buildings and worksite locations.
• The environment in which the job is performed outside a normal office space may include exposure to extreme temperature, noise, heights, or other hazards. All remains the same for any additional requirements for training.
• When working remotely, must have a workspace free of distractions and background noise (Pets, children, television, radio, etc.)

All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, parental status, veteran status, military service, family medical history, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.