Career Navigator

The Housing and Career Navigator is part of the Guardian Scholars & Foster Futures team supporting former foster youth to navigate a successful transition from foster care to adulthood and self-sufficiency. This position assists individuals with career development and housing stability. The primary functions of this role are to work with former foster youth who are at-risk of homelessness, ensure stable housing, support the career & workforce development for these youth to raise their earning potential towards self-sufficiency.

This role involves engaging community organizations, collaboratives, and other resources in the workforce and housing systems to support former foster youth. The Navigator will work directly with former foster youth, creating personalized plans to explore career options, develop job-readiness skills, secure employment, and facilitate pathways to permanent housing for youth who are experiencing homelessness, sheltered homelessness, or are at risk of becoming homeless.

The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, along with knowledge of the workforce and housing systems and resources. Experience working with diverse populations and navigating support systems is essential.

• Collaborate with Coordinators to provide case support for 50–75 participants, assisting with individualized plans, service coordination, progress tracking, and follow-through related to career and housing goals.
• Support participants with budgeting, financial literacy, and access to financial education and resources.
• Support participants in developing and achieving short- and long-term career goals, including increasing earnings by $3+/hour within 12–24 months through employment, education, and training opportunities.
• Support participants in obtaining and maintaining safe, stable housing, including applications, documentation, housing readiness, and addressing landlord-related barriers.
• Connect participants to housing, career, food, healthcare, and other community resources and support the development of positive social and community connections.
• Provide individualized coaching, referrals, advocacy, and hands-on support to identify and address barriers to participants’ goals.
• Maintain knowledge of housing, workforce, financial, and community resources and serve as a resource to the Promises2
  
  Kids team.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of participant services, plans, referrals, and progress in accordance with program requirements.
• Provide transportation and assist with participant crisis situations as needed.
• Maintain a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends; participate in professional development and youth/donor events; and fulfill mandated reporting requirements.
• This position involves direct and indirect interaction with children and youth.
• Other duties as assigned.

• 1 year of experience providing direct service in a housing, community health or social services setting related to the duties and responsibilities specified, with San Diego foster care system knowledge preferred.
• AA or BA preferred.
• Knowledge of adolescent psychology (including Stages of Change and developmental stages), Positive Youth Development Model, motivational interviewing and counseling.
• Proficient in public speaking and giving presentations.
• Ability to interact effectively with community agencies and to advocate for clients who need services, onsite and in the community.
• Knowledge of community resources and career planning and development tools.
• Comfort with discussing sensitive topics such as sexuality, interpersonal violence, financial issues, and substance abuse.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel,…