The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement.
This position has an end date of June 30, 2029.
Job Overview:
The Career Navigator develops, places, and monitors paid and unpaid work experience opportunities (such as internships, job shadowing opportunities, apprenticeships etc.) for out-of-school youth enrolled in the IRC's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Out-of-School Youth (OSY) programs. Work Experience (WEX) is one of the 14 required WIOA youth program elements and gives OSY participants ages 16–24 a planned, structured, first-time or early work opportunity to build work habits, soft skills, and occupational exposure. The Career Navigator identifies and secures worksites with employers, schools, and community organizations; matches youth to placements aligned with their Individual Service Strategy (ISS) and career interests; negotiates and executes worksite agreements; and monitors youth safety, attendance, performance, and payroll throughout the work experience. This position works closely with Employer Engagement Supervisor, Job Developer, Workforce Development team, Financial Capabilities team, employers, and the local Workforce Development Board to ensure placements comply with WIOA regulations and deliver a meaningful, well-supervised work experience for every participant. The Career Navigator exercises independent judgment in resolving complex worksite, compliance, and participant issues, and serves as a subject matter resource on WEX requirements for program and partner staff.
Major Responsibilities:
Identify, develop, and maintain a pipeline of subsidized and unsubsidized Work Experience (WEX) worksites with employers across a range of industries and occupations and with a focus on high quality sectors such as healthcare, IT, transportation etc.
Negotiate and execute WEX Worksite Agreements with employers that define job duties, supervision, schedule, wage (if subsidized), duration, and learning objectives, in accordance with WIOA regulations and local workforce board policy.
Collaborate and coordinate with the Employer of Record (EoR) regarding WEX placements, wages and schedules.
Assess each participant's job readiness, interests, and ISS/career goals, in coordination with the assigned Case Manager, to match youth to an appropriate WEX placement as well as collaborate across teams to support participants' transition toward unsubsidized employment, training, or education.
Conduct new-hire orientation with youth and employers covering workplace expectations, safety, attendance, and program rules, including prohibitions on overtime and hour limits/caps per participant.
Monitor each WEX placement through supervisor check-ins, and participant progress reviews; document observations and independently address and resolve performance or conduct issues as they arise.
Track hours, placements, and outcomes for each participant against program limits (e.g., maximum allotted WEX hours) and WIOA performance measures, and maintain accurate records in the required state case management system (e.g. CalJOBS) and IRC program databases.
Recommend improvements to WEX…