Career Services Manager (San Joaquin Valley Region)

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

Compensation: $26.83  - $29.80 per hour, non-exempt

Benefits: 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: Director, Career Services

Location(s): Modesto or Stockton

NOTE: This is a hybrid work schedule option 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 a workforce development center that has welcomed hundreds 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 as we are on the precipice of expanding to a total of five communities across Northern California by the end of 2023. Digital NEST has centers in the heart of Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy,  and soon to launch in Stockton and Modesto. 

The Career Services Manager is responsible for the implementation of the career services program throughout the entire program - the three branches of the member journey.  The Manager will  collaboratively develop the career development program and services, providing training and technical assistance to staff and case management to trainees and interns. 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 Director of Career Services and will work closely in partnership across the program branches and program leadership. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Program Management and Curriculum Development (40%)

• Manage and implement a comprehensive career services program across the two San Joaquin Valley Centers to deliver efficient, timely, and effective programs and services to members of the three branches.
• Lead the development of curriculum and workshop materials for career services curriculum across all three program branches. Strategically incorporate instructional design best practices, project-based learning, and career readiness frameworks and standards. 
• Maintain a high level of attention to detail with all career services materials, curriculum, and interactions, with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Practice self-leadership and promote learning in others by building relationships  cross-functionally among teams; effectively communicate information and providing advice to drive projects forward; influencing the teams and their work; listening and responding to, seeking, and addressing feedback; adapting to competing demands and new responsibilities; providing feedback to others, including upward feedback to Director.
• Identify key desired career readiness needs from alumni and industry partners through ongoing engagement and assessment to maximize student career readiness.
• Support the development and implementation of technology platforms (if needed) and resources that enhance and accelerate the development of the career portfolios for members and interns.
• Manage data gathering and reporting to assess and evaluate the impact of service delivery and member engagement by generating a range of reports, alumni and employer-student surveys (in collaboration with the Director, Employer Engagement Manager, and Monterey Bay Region Career Services Manager).
• Identify and determine opportunities for program and services improvement; develop and present recommendations for improvement of content and established processes and practices.
• Provide expertise on career trends, needs and opportunities.
• Develop a robust online library of trusted career resources.
• Gain membership in career services professional organizations and seek professional development in this area. 
• Support the development of the Career Services Playbook. 

Facilitation and Career Coaching (35%)

• Facilitate  workshops for members at Modesto and Stockton centers, including career readiness workshops for high school seniors and above, and exploratory workshops for younger members. 
• Manage a caseload of high school seniors and bizzNEST interns in developing their portfolios, that include their client work and key documents that prepare them for interviewing for and securing career track jobs and internships. 
• Provide 1:1 and group career mentoring and coaching for seniors/interns applying for jobs/internships, and support them throughout the entire process to completion, including a debrief of their experience with career services for continuous improvement.
• Administer and interpret career interest inventories and professional inventories.
• Identify indicators (aligned to evaluation) to understand case management effectiveness and to establish and maintain a cadence for data collection.
• Collaborate with Monterey Bay Region Career Services Manager to provide coaching and support to Digital NEST Alumni. 
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of various career development resources to share with members and interns. 

Training and Collaboration (25%)

• Implement a train-the-trainer model across all five Digital NEST centers to support and coach the center teams (Member Specialists and Advocates) to facilitate the Quest Club curriculum. 
• 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 Career Services Director, Employer Engagement Manager, Monterey Bay Region Career Services Manager, and the three branches to develop signature career related events.
• 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.
• Assist in facilitating  opportunities to deliver professional skills and career navigation  training to interested community colleges and affinity groups.
• Represent the Digital NEST 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 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.
• Master’s Degree in Career Counseling preferred.
• Sound understanding of career development frameworks, methods and approaches.
• Strong organizational “consulting” skills, demonstrates high levels of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Well-developed planning and organization skills, 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.
• Experience working with professional evaluators performing an evaluation of a program.
• 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 conducting formalized needs assessments and formalized learning assessments.

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 have a valid CA driver's license, pass a background check, and 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)
• 15 Paid Vacation Days for Full-time Employees (Director and 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
• Professional Development Opportunities

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.