Career Readiness Specialist

The Opportunity:  The Career Readiness Specialist plays a mission-critical role in preparing individuals from underserved backgrounds to return to the workforce quickly and successfully. This role is focused on reducing barriers to employment and accelerating career readiness by delivering high-impact services that meet students where they are—and move them forward. Through motivational interviewing, structured coaching, workshops, and intensive wraparound support, the Career Readiness Specialist helps learners build confidence, develop job readiness skills, and maintain momentum toward training and employment.

The ideal candidate is deeply committed to helping adults re-enter the workforce with clarity, stability, and a strong support system. You will work directly with individuals impacted by poverty, justice involvement, limited education, and other challenges that prevent them from accessing and retaining good jobs. This role also represents Skilled US in the community, helping build trust, increase enrollment, and expand our mission reach. 

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct one-on-one workforce readiness assessments to identify employment barriers, strengths, and career goals.
• Use motivational interviewing to guide participants in building actionable job search and training plans.
• Deliver and facilitate workforce readiness workshops focused on resumes, interview preparation, workplace expectations, communication, and professional behavior.
• Provide direct connections to job training, hiring fairs, employer interviews, and work-based learning opportunities.
• Coordinate barrier-reduction supports such as transportation, childcare, and housing navigation to prevent employment disruptions.
• Maintain close weekly follow-ups with students until they enter training or secure employment and demonstrate stability.
• Track and report progress using CRM tools such as Salesforce and other required systems.

• Attend and support in-person community events to increase enrollment, strengthen recruitment pipelines, and expand Skilled US visibility.
• Serve as a frontline representative of Skilled US at outreach events, partner sites, and community meetings.
• Support enrollment conversion by assisting prospective participants with next steps, documentation, and intake scheduling.
• Build relationships with community organizations, referral partners, and workforce stakeholders to strengthen access and engagement.

• Partner with training providers and employers to ensure job readiness alignment and credential match.
• Monitor placement, credential attainment, and retention outcomes to ensure performance targets are met.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to expand job access and provide holistic support.
• Advocate for participant needs through systems-level conversations and cross-sector planning.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Workforce Development, Social Work, Public Administration, Human Services, or related field.
• 2 years of experience in workforce development, case management, coaching, or employment support.
• Strong familiarity with the job market, training pathways, and employer expectations.
• Proficiency with documentation systems and CRM tools such as Salesforce.
• Experience supporting adults facing barriers such as justice involvement, housing instability, or limited literacy.
• Motivational interviewing or employment coaching experience strongly preferred.
• Bilingual skills are a plus

Work Location:

• This is an in-person position based at Skilled US, requiring regular face-to-face engagement with participants, staff, employers, and community partners. Evening or occasional weekend availability may be required to support outreach, recruitment, and community events.

Please read carefully.

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.