Career Placement Coordinator

Waukegan, IL
$46,000 – $48,000 a year – Full-time (Mon to Fri)

Position
Under the supervision of the Workforce Readiness and Placement Manager, the Career Placement Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact for developing employer partnerships and securing placement opportunities for youth. This position is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with employer partners and identifying appropriate work experiences for program members. The Career Placement Coordinator collaborates closely with the Workforce Readiness and Placement Manager and the Career Success team to align members’ strengths and career interests with available opportunities, ensuring successful placement upon program completion. Within the YouthBuild program, this role is commonly referred to as a Job Developer.

Benefits
401(k), Dental insurance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Vision insurance

Primary Responsibilities

Develop and maintain relationships with local employers, unions, and community organizations to secure internship, job shadowing, and employment opportunities for youth members.
Collaborate with the Workforce Readiness and Placement Manager and Career Success team to assess participants’ interests, skills, and career goals to match them with appropriate placements.
Maintain regular and comprehensive entries into database of employer partners and placement opportunities, ensuring regular communication and updates.
Coordinate and facilitate employer site visits, hiring events, and informational interviews to expose youth to different career pathways.
Prepare youth for work experiences by supporting mock interviews, résumé reviews, and job readiness coaching in partnership with other program staff.
Monitor and document youth placement progress, providing follow-up support and addressing any challenges that arise during internships or employment.
Track and report placement data to meet grant and program reporting requirements.
Represent the organization at job fairs, workforce boards, and networking events to promote employer engagement and increase placement opportunities.
Support employer partners in understanding the goals and structure of the YouthBuild program and provide ongoing communication to ensure positive experiences for both youth and employers.
Contribute to continuous improvement of the placement process and assist in developing new strategies to enhance youth employment outcomes.
Participate in weekly case management, Career Success and program meetings, providing information as necessary to ensure strong communication on issues impacting members and their success in the program.
Actively participate in recruitment and retention activities of members.
Perform special projects and other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

A minimum of two years working with youth (16 -24 years old), with an understanding of how to motivate and support their career development.
A minimum of two years business background, developing jobs
Successful completion of criminal background checks, including but not limited to fingerprinting, National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and state police background check

Essential Functions

Strong organizational and administrative skills, with familiarity with maintaining accurate records and inputting data into spreadsheets or case management systems for tracking outcomes.
Ability to build and maintain strong, professional relationships with employers, community partners, and internal staff.
Close attention to detail and ability to plan and meet timelines
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to diverse audiences and advocate for youth participants.
Ability to assess youth interests and strengths and guide them toward appropriate career paths and opportunities.
Strong problem-solving skills. Ability to troubleshoot placement challenges and mediate between youth and employer partners as needed.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and inspire youth and build strong, lasting partnerships with employers
Self-starter who is proactive in identifying opportunities and reaching out to new employer partners.
Positive, collaborative team player
Solid skills in Microsoft Office and ability to learn and utilize other platforms

Required Skills

Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English
Ability to manage multiple competing priorities
Ability to work cooperatively within a multi-program, multi-grant funded environment
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing
Ability to work independently, maintaining strong attention to detail and managing workload
Sensitivity to the cultural and socio-economic backgrounds of members.
Possess extensive experience in Excel (required). Strong skills in Microsoft Office platform and the ability to learn and independently use a variety of databases and reporting systems.
Ability to manage people and contribute to a culture of teamwork.
Ability to develop and maintain collaborative, trusting relationships with members and alumni, built on mutual respect.

Education

A minimum of bachelor’s degree in business, workforce development, youth development or other relevant area of study, preferred.