Career Navigator

Mission Statement

Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.

Five Keys Overview

Five Keys is a nonprofit organization that operates an extensive network of programs across California. With a presence in 14 counties and over 120 locations, Five Keys focuses on various initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and families to overcome poverty and inequity. The organization's programs encompass a wide range of services, including public charter schools, restorative justice programs in jails and prisons, shelters, permanent supportive housing, and the development of new housing and support programs. At Five Keys, the overarching objective is to uplift individuals and families by providing them with essential resources. This includes education, housing, employment, and the necessary tools to sustain their progress. By offering these fundamental elements, the organization aims to create positive and lasting change in communities, making them better places for everyone.

Our Core Competencies

A well qualified candidate has the capacity to communicate effectively, collaborate with others while building positive relationships, demonstrates strong problem solving skills, has a dynamic learning mindset, and remains committed to a high level of cultural and social awareness. A successful candidate will work well under pressure, observe appropriate boundaries and operate with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

What its really like to join our agency

At Five Keys, culture matters. Culture is at the very core of everything we do and impact on a daily basis. We’ve made a commitment to building an inclusive culture that seeks collaboration over hierarchy to create empowered work teams. We serve vulnerable populations daily and we strive to approach everyone with compassion, patience and a trauma informed approach. We choose to push past discomfort to have difficult conversations to impact the greater good. This allows us the opportunity to collaboratively create an inclusive culture and transform the world around us.

BENEFITS

We offer very low monthly costs for medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with generous time off! Various pre-tax flexible spending accounts and retirement account 403(b) are available. We provide annual reimbursements up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation, and weight loss programs. Annual athletic event participation and annual massages are reimbursed up to $50. Other Company-paid benefits, including free wellness-related apps, an Employee Assistance Program, and a comprehensive mental health care platform, are available to you and your dependents.

JOB SUMMARY

The Five Keys Career Navigator reports to the Assistant Director of Workforce Services and is accountable for enrolling, supporting, and tracking outcomes for clients in the Keys to Work program funded by the Alameda County Probation Department. The Career Navigator will perform targeted recruitment, complete candidate intake and administer vocational assessments. In addition, the position is responsible for developing individual employment plans and designing and facilitating one-on-one and group job readiness activities. We are looking for someone who insists on maintaining a positive attitude and enjoys supporting a diverse group of people. This job is for you if you are a leader who is self-driven, innovative, kind, and has a growth mindset. Additionally, you support the Five Keys mission by creating a supportive environment of mutual respect and fairness, while encouraging creative and critical thinking through an equity lens. You are also ready to contribute to our appreciation of diversity and foster a climate of multicultural understanding.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Use required databases to track participants and their employment readiness activities, outcomes, and paperwork
• Work closely with the Job Developer to get clients placed in employment opportunities
• Assist recruitment of participants from Alameda County Probation Department (ACPD)
• Coordinate and/or conduct one-on-one intake and career assessments for participants
• Maintain case files for all participants that include enrollment and assessment information, Individual Employment Plans (EP), and records of attendance, completed or in progress work-readiness classes. And other documentation
• Coordinate and/or facilitate work-readiness classes that development of employment soft skills, interview preparedness, and financial and digital literacy
• Maintain accurate activity records for Five Keys databases and prepare data reports when needed
• Maintain client demographic and program enrollment information in ACPD databases, including Enterprise as needed
• Prepare for and attend ACPD and workforce network partner meetings and trainings as needed
• Communicate participant employment assessment results, employment plans, and progress with Five Keys and/or ACPD staff
• Help to advise participants on career paths and opportunities for placement into jobs, training programs, or transitional employment opportunities
• To ensure continuation of services, develop and maintain strong connections and referrals to Alameda County Job Centers, including the Comprehensive and Reentry Job Centers
• Conduct regular follow-ups with referrals to determine participant progress post-release
• Document all direct placement into unsubsidized/subsidized/transitional employment
• Attend all training and professional development opportunities available for program staff
• Build and maintain relationships within the network of local service providers
• Create employee/participant feedback surveys, track and analyze incoming data, and attend engagement activities.
• Take a lead role in criminal justice and reentry training, planning, and implementation initiatives as needed
• Abide by Five Keys and Probation policies and procedures
• Reach out to supportive employment agencies, including the Department of Rehabilitation, Ed Roberts Campus, and The ARC of the East Bay to identify employment pathways for people with disabilities
• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• General understanding of workforce development services and programs within Alameda County
• Advanced proficiency in Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and databases
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and take all precautions when handling sensitive information
• Ability to effectively and efficiently work from home and independently, with high levels of self-accountability when applicable.
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to facilitate meetings with diverse stakeholders

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors Degree (MA degree highly preferred) in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Counseling, or a closely related field
• A minimum of one year experience in Workforce Development required
• Previous re-entry experience preferred
• Background in providing case management, life coaching, or support to adults and young adult clients who have barriers to education and employment, including involvement with the criminal justice system
• General understanding of workforce development, career counseling
• Strong background in utilizing technology
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• To promote the health and safety of its employees, those we serve and our local communities, Five Keys requires that all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and/or adhere to all weekly testing and safety measures. Employees may also request and receive approval for an exemption from this policy. Exemptions are granted to accommodate a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief
• Must wear provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and adhere to all safety guidelines and requirements, when needed
• Frequent talking and hearing conversations
• Long periods of walking, sitting at a desk and/or computer station
• Lifting items that weigh up to 25 lbs.; reaching, bending, carrying and stooping within the daily routine of tasks and activities

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Satisfactory results of a Live Scan (criminal background investigation)
• Successfully obtaining jail clearance for positions working in county jails or probation locations
• Submitting proof of clear TB results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Moderate to high noise level
• Work environment varies from site to site
• Some personal safety risk working in underserved communities
• Must be willing and able to travel throughout the area to community sites, and travel county-wide to various locations or meetings as needed
• Up to 30% travel to Five Keys locations throughout Northern California as needed

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At Five Keys, we understand that when our employees grow, the agency has a greater capacity to thrive and accomplish its mission. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all of our employees. These include but are not limited to: conferences, staff development training, and coaching plans that allow incumbents to grow into new positions within and across programs within the agency (i.e., programs, schools, housing).