Career Pipeline - Support & Advancement Navigator

The Human Services Career Support Program is an exciting, innovative initiative designed to provide wraparound support, education, training and mentoring for immigrants and refugees to successfully enter and advance in the Human Services/Behavioral Health field in Central Massachusetts. This groundbreaking program is one of several initiatives that is part of the Central Mass Career Pipeline Project: a partnership between Open Sky Community Services and several other agencies in Central Massachusetts, including: Ascentria Care Alliance, Seven Hills Foundation, Venture Community Services, African Community Education, Southeast Asian Coalition and others. The goal of the project is to help address workforce challenges experienced in the behavioral health and human services field.

• Read more about the goals and history of the Career Pipeline Project here. Also check out the informational flyer for candidates to join the Human Services Career Support Program. 

The Career Support and Advancement Navigator is an employee of Open Sky Community Services, working under the direction of the Career Pipeline Program Manager on the Human Resources team.  This role also exists in each partner agency on the project, and all Career Support and Advancement Navigators will serve as part of an interagency team to support each other to coordinate resources and strategies when needed.  The Career Support and Advancement Navigator supports the wraparound and career advancement needs of participants in the Human Services Career Support Program.  They also provide support around career advancement for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color staff who are already employed with Open Sky and partner agencies.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Work with Human Services Career Support Program participants to assess barriers and needs for wraparound support.
• Identify and establish positive relationships with internal and external support resources.
• Connect participants with necessary supports by assisting with application processes, documentation, or agency-funded resources.
• Facilitate mentorship connections and support participants’ cultural integration within the agency.
• Guide participants in career assessment, career pathways, and identification of required skills and education.
• Support career advancement opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and immigrant staff.
• Develop individualized Career Development Plans and share the Career Pipeline Pathway Model.
• Assist participants with career exploration, overcoming barriers, accessing training, building soft skills, and making professional connections.
• Connect BIPOC and immigrant staff with mentors and provide guidance and support for mentors.
• Collaborate in managing the Human Services Career Support Program from conceptualization to implementation, ensuring ongoing support.
• Provide case management and continuous support to program participants.
• Support the operations of the training collaborative, including monitoring participant attendance and training compliance.
• Use online reporting tools to track and report outcomes for each program participant.

Career Advancement for BIPOC and Immigrant Staff:

• Work with staff to identify career and advancement goals.

• Develop individualized Career Development Plans

• Assist with career exploration, overcoming barriers, accessing training, building soft skills, and making appropriate connections internally and externally.

• Connect Black, Indigenous, and People of Color/immigrant staff with mentors.

• Provide guidance and support for mentors.

• Experience in case management and/or job counseling, with ability to use strength-based and individualized case management skills.
• Skilled at crisis management, problem-solving and mediation.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and knowledge, and ability and desire to work with other cultures.
• Functional fluency in English and another language preferred.
• Motivated, confident, and well-organized with excellent communication skills.
  
• Geographically local to Central Massachusetts region and able to commute to the programs of Open Sky.
• BIPOC candidates encouraged to apply.

At Open Sky Community Services, we open our doors, hearts, and minds to the belief that every individual, regardless of perceived limitations, deserves the chance to live a productive and fulfilling life.

Open Sky is on an anti-racist journey, committed to learning, living, and breathing inclusion, opportunity, diversity, racial equity and justice for ALL.

At Open Sky, you’ll join over 1,100 compassionate and highly trained professionals who put innovative, evidence-based practices to work in ways that positively impact our communities across Central Massachusetts and beyond.

As a trauma-informed organization, Open Sky strives for transparency and sensitivity to the experiences of those we interact with. Self-care is encouraged, and we are committed to providing a positive work culture that is focused on continuous learning and the value of diverse perspectives.

Open Sky is proud to be an industry leader in pay and benefits.  Open the Door to Possibility, and begin your career with Open Sky today!

Benefits of Working for Open Sky Include:

• Supervision, Professional Development, and Training Opportunities
• Generous paid time off plan – you start with 29 days (almost 6 weeks!) in your first year, including 12 paid holidays. Increases to 32 days in your 2nd year, and the current maximum is 43 days (OVER 8 WEEKS!)
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with Prescription Plan
• 403b Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Life Insurance (100% Employer-Paid)
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Eligible employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• And more!

Open Sky celebrates diversity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with federal and state employment opportunity laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or disabled Veteran status.