Reentry Peer Navigator For Hire Program

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Reentry Peer Navigator position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Job Purpose: The HIRE Program Reentry Peer Navigator serves as a client advocate who possess "lived experience" as a former justice-system involved person who can utilize their experience to provide insights, advise and a listening ear to boost client engagement and commitment to the program to foster their individual successful reentry journey.

The Reentry Peer Navigator has the primary responsibility for ensuring that HIRE clients are provided with readily available access to an array of reentry employment related and support services that will help them have a smooth transition back to the community. Responsibilities include working closely with the NOO HIRE Program Reentry Case Managers and Reentry Counselor in the identification of client service needs, assist in developing reentry plans for clients, providing referrals to community agencies for a wide variety of services and serve as a guide and coach to individual clients.

To succeed in this role, candidates should have excellent organizational, time management and communication skills and able to work with individuals of diverse disciplines and ethnicities.

Responsible to: Reentry & Student Support Services Director

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Under the direction of the HIRE Case Management and Counseling Team , the Reentry Peer Navigator will be responsible for performing Peer Navigation advocacy and guidance services for our HIRE Reentry Services clients and other duties, including, but not limited to the following:

• Provide direct advocacy and support to program participants and coordinate/assist with various support services and employment-related projects and events in collaboration with other HIRE Program case management and counseling team members;

• Assist in assessing clients for work readiness, skills, strengths, aptitudes and any potential limitations/barriers to employment and determine support service needs to facilitate reentry;

• Use information from assessments, evaluations, observation, and interviews to assist in the development of Individual Reentry Service Plans and/or individual employment and vocational plans with goals and timelines that will help participants move their job search and vocational training forward leading to full-time unsubsidized employment;

• Coach participants to set and achieve appropriate employment objectives by identifying short and long term goals in addition to mapping out strategies to achieve their goals while overcoming obstacles;

• Assist participants with becoming work-ready by identifying barriers and offering resources/solutions;

• Identify services and resources within the community and establish service systems to meet the individual's needs;

• Accompany, on occasion or as may be required, clients to service appointments;

• Conduct regular meetings with clients, either in-facility or at appropriate service center; record all services provided and case notes, maintaining confidentiality of client's data in accordance with HIPAA and other relevant funder, local or state regulations; consult with team members or management regarding progress of cases and have case notes readily available for review as needed by management and/or monitors.

• Conduct periodic on-site visits at work training sites to gauge employment training progress to assure training completion;

• Assist with post-employment job retention services to verify continued employment and provide client support assistance as required to promote job stability and advancement;

• Contribute to the achievement of monthly, quarterly and annual employment goals;

• Track peer navigation activities, progress and results using State HIRE Cal E-Grant client management and tracking systems;

• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Lived experience/Justice involved

• Valid California Driver License

• Proof of Insurability

• At least one (1) year of experience in the delivery of social service programs/job training and development, or

• Any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties above

• Work experience as a counselor, mentor or client advocate and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively is essential.

Desired Education, Experience, and Skills

• Bilingual - Spanish

• High School Diploma or its equivalent

• Must have knowledge of and experience with community and government resources and the criminal justice system;

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;

• Must have excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects in a timely manner and meet deadlines.

• Must be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency;

• Must possess the ability to excel at details, multi-task and work under pressure;

• Continuous and demonstrated ability to work effectively alone or collaboratively with various levels of staff, clients and/or partners.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Employee may spend the majority of the day moving, maintaining an upright position, sitting at a desk, or with frequent needs to reach, bend and use hands and arms to occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Must be comfortable interacting with clients within controlled facilities or incarceration. Must have good time-management skills, be able to work well under stress and meet deadlines. Must also be able to travel to other office locations as needed or for trainings, conferences and/or meetings within or outside local areas and, occasionally, statewide, in which such travel may last one or more days. Reliable transportation, a valid driver's license and proof of insurance is required when driving.

Requirements / Qualifications

Requirements / Qualifications