Employment Navigator - Semo Rise

Position Summary

The Employment Navigator is responsible for helping SEMO RISE participants identify career goals, access employment opportunities, secure jobs, and advance in their chosen career pathways. This position provides individualized career planning, job-readiness support, employer connections, job placement assistance, and post-placement follow-up to promote long-term employment success.

The Employment Navigator will work closely with participants, employers, workforce development partners, training providers, and other SEMO RISE team members to connect individuals with meaningful employment opportunities in skilled trades and construction, information technology, commercial drone technology, and related industries.

The position will help participants translate their skills, training, credentials, and experience into viable career opportunities while supporting employers in identifying qualified candidates. The Employment Navigator will contribute to SEMO RISE's broader goal of strengthening the regional workforce by reducing employment barriers, increasing access to career opportunities, and supporting sustainable employment and career advancement throughout Southeast Missouri.

Geographic Service Area SEMO RISE serves the following 14 counties in Southeast Missouri: Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Scott, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Dunklin, Wayne, Stoddard, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Madison, and Butler. The Employment Navigator may be required to travel throughout the service area to meet with participants, engage employers, attend workforce events, and coordinate employment opportunities with community partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Career Planning and Individualized Employment Support Conduct individualized career planning meetings to identify participants' employment interests, skills, experience, strengths, and long-term career goals. Assist participants in exploring career pathways aligned with their interests, abilities, training, and regional labor market opportunities.

Help participants develop realistic employment goals, career action plans, and strategies for achieving short- and long-term career objectives. Assist participants with identifying transferable skills, relevant credentials, and qualifications that may improve their competitiveness in the workforce. Provide guidance on career choices, job requirements, wage expectations, advancement opportunities, and employment pathways in skilled trades, construction, information technology, and commercial drone technology.

Help participants identify and address employment-related barriers, coordinating with the SEMO RISE Case Manager and other team members when additional services or referrals are needed. 2. Job Readiness and Employment Preparation Assist participants with developing and updating resumes, cover letters, applications, and other job-search materials. Provide guidance on interviewing, professional communication, workplace expectations, job-search strategies, and appropriate workplace conduct. Help participants prepare for employer interviews, hiring events, job fairs, and other recruitment activities. Support participants in identifying relevant certifications, training opportunities, and credentials that may improve employability. Help participants understand employer expectations related to attendance, reliability, teamwork, safety, communication, and professional development. Refer participants to appropriate training, workshops, and supportive services when additional preparation is needed before entering employment. 3. Employer Engagement and Business Partnerships Develop and maintain relationships with regional employers, contractors, construction companies, technology businesses, drone-related businesses, and other organizations with relevant employment opportunities. Conduct employer outreach to identify current and anticipated hiring needs, skill requirements, qualifications, and advancement opportunities. Build partnerships with employers willing to consider SEMO RISE participants for internships, apprenticeships, entry-level positions, skilled positions, and other career opportunities, as appropriate to program design. Communicate with employers regarding participant qualifications and potential job matches while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and obtaining necessary participant consent. Coordinate employer meetings, hiring events, job-shadowing opportunities, and other activities that connect participants with the workforce. Maintain an up-to-date understanding of regional labor market trends, employer needs, and emerging career opportunities. Collaborate with training providers and workforce partners to help align participant preparation with employer expectations. 4. Job Placement and Career Matching Identify employment opportunities that align with participants' career plans, qualifications, skills, interests, and readiness for employment. Match qualified participants with appropriate job openings and facilitate introductions or referrals to employers. Assist participants with submitting applications, scheduling interviews, communicating with hiring managers, and navigating hiring processes. Coordinate with employers and participants to monitor application progress, interview outcomes, job offers, and placement results. Support participants in evaluating employment offers, including job responsibilities, compensation, schedules, transportation needs, and opportunities for advancement. Track job placements and employment outcomes in accordance with SEMO RISE program requirements and established performance measures. Coordinate with the SEMO RISE Project Manager, Case Manager, Outreach & Engagement Specialist, and Data & Performance Specialist to support successful participant transitions into employment. 5. Employment Retention and Career Advancement Maintain contact with participants following job placement to assess employment progress, identify challenges, and support successful adjustment to the workplace. Provide follow-up support to help participants address common workplace challenges and navigate early employment transitions. Coordinate with the Case Manager when participants experience barriers that may affect attendance, retention, or continued employment. Help participants identify opportunities for wage growth, promotions, additional credentials, specialized training, and career progression. Encourage continued skill development and participation in training that supports advancement within skilled trades, construction, information technology, and commercial drone technology. When appropriate and with participant consent, communicate with employers to support retention and address employment-related concerns. Document retention, advancement, and other employment outcomes according to program procedures and grant requirements. 6. Participant Records, Reporting, and Grant Compliance Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of career planning activities, employment referrals, employer contacts, job placements, and follow-up services. Enter required participant and employment information into designated data systems in accordance with CPSEMO procedures. Collaborate with the Data & Performance Specialist to ensure employment outcomes and supporting documentation are complete, accurate, and submitted within established timelines. Assist with preparing program reports, success stories, employment summaries, and other documentation related to participant outcomes. Follow applicable grant requirements, participant eligibility and documentation procedures, organizational policies, and confidentiality standards. Protect sensitive participant information and share it only with authorized individuals for legitimate program purposes. 7. Team Collaboration and Program Development Participate in SEMO RISE staff meetings, case coordination discussions, employer engagement activities, and program planning sessions. Coordinate services with the Project Manager, Case Manager, Outreach & Engagement Specialist, and Data & Performance Specialist to ensure participants receive consistent support. Provide feedback regarding employer needs, participant experiences, employment barriers, and opportunities to improve program services. Assist with developing employment resources, employer contact lists, career pathway materials, and job placement procedures. Represent SEMO RISE and CPSEMO professionally at community events, workforce meetings, employer visits, and partner activities. Perform other duties as assigned that support the goals and objectives of SEMO RISE. Required Qualifications Associate degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience in workforce development, career services, human services, business, human resources, or a related field. Experience in employment services, career counseling, job placement, recruiting, workforce development, employer engagement, or a related area. Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills. Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with varying employment histories, educational experiences, and career goals. Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with employers, community organizations, training providers, and workforce partners. Proficiency with email, word processing, spreadsheets, online job-search platforms, and electronic recordkeeping systems. Ability to maintain confidential participant and employer information. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation, with the ability to travel throughout the SEMO RISE service area as required.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in workforce development, human resources, business administration, counseling, social services, or a related field. Two or more years of experience in career coaching, job placement, recruiting, workforce development, or employer relations. Familiarity with regional labor market conditions and employment opportunities in Southeast Missouri.

Experience working with grant-funded programs, workforce initiatives, or individuals facing barriers to employment. Knowledge of skilled trades, construction, information technology, commercial drone technology, apprenticeships, industry-recognized credentials, or related career pathways. Experience using applicant tracking systems, case management databases, workforce reporting systems, or participant outcome tracking tools.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to assess individual career goals and translate them into practical employment plans. Strong networking and employer engagement abilities. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to motivate participants and provide constructive, goal-oriented guidance. Strong follow-through, time management, and attention to detail.

Ability to manage multiple participants, employer relationships, and deadlines. Sound judgment when handling confidential information and employment-related concerns. Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative, multidisciplinary team. Commitment to equitable access to employment, career development, and economic opportunity.

Equal Employment Opportunity Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Disclaimer This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected of the Employment Navigator.

It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.

Responsibilities

may be modified as necessary to meet program needs, grant requirements, and organizational priorities.