Support Services Navigator - First Steps

Requisition Number:2023-ET/Y-040

Department:Education, Training and Youth Services

Employee Type:Regular

Hours Per Week:35

Overview:

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) stands as Boston's largest community action agency. Since its inception, ABCD has been deeply committed to promoting self-help efforts for low-income families and individuals. We offer a wide array of programs that cover all stages of life, from infant care to elder services, and ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, has an opportunity to thrive in their community. Every year, we touch the lives of more than 100,000 Greater Boston residents, creating ripples of positive change.

Why Work Here:

• Make a Difference: Every day, your work directly impacts the lives of thousands in the Greater Boston community, empowering them and making positive, lasting change.
• Inclusive Environment: ABCD values the diversity of its workforce, with an inclusive culture that respects individuality and promotes collaboration.
• Continuous Learning: We offer numerous training and development opportunities, ensuring our staff remain at the forefront of community action methodologies and strategies.
• Comprehensive Benefits: At ABCD, we take care of our own, providing a competitive benefits package, including health coverage and retirement plans.
• A Legacy of Impact: Join an organization that boasts a legacy spanning over half a century, consistently championing the rights and needs of our community's most vulnerable.
• Teamwork & Camaraderie: Be a part of a passionate team, united in their mission to combat poverty, and ensure every individual can reach their fullest potential.

First Steps into Early Childhood Education Careers (First Steps) is designed to recruit, train, and develop job placements for adults who are interested in careers in the field of early childhood education—a field where the right people can make a lasting difference in the lives of young children. The Support Services Navigator is responsible for maintaining case management files including the Individual Services Strategy, and provide educational and personal counseling, supportive services and referrals, and work in conjunction with other program staff to facilitate goals attainment by program participants.  

Essential Duties:

• Provide educational and personal counseling to participants to establish educational and occupational goals and suitability as well as identify skill development necessary to secure desired program’s outcomes.
• Provide one-on-one case management, assessment, and coaching to participant caseload.
• Provide supportive counseling to ensure adequate program attendance and to resolve any discipline or communication problems between the participants and staff.
• Take the lead responsibility to ensure that information concerning the program and recruitment and outreach of prospective participants is carried out in all neighborhoods and all groups of eligible students.
• Utilize participants’ engagement in program to identify supportive service needs, provide related counseling as required, and make appropriate referrals.
• Orient new participants to the First Step program and assist them in their successful participation.
• Conduct weekly support workshops for the diverse population of program participants.
• Maintain counseling records, record related assessment data, and Individual Service Strategies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time.

Job Qualifications:

• A minimum of an Associate’s degree in education, counseling or related field with one to three years of experience in counseling adults or youth required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of working with a diverse customer base, knowledge of Boston’s neighborhoods, and familiarity with local childcare business. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as strong planning and time management skills. 
• Bilingual skills highly desirable. 
• Must be able to work sensitively and effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.