Specialist, WCD Peer Navigator Programs

Primary Responsibility / Summary

This position supports the City of Los Angeles AdVantAGE LA Older Worker Peer Navigator initiative and is assigned to the applicable Los Angeles City Community Investment Department program year ending June 30, 2027. The assignment and continued employment are contingent upon contract funding, operational need, and program requirements. Upon completion or termination of the contract assignment, Ambassadors will revert to their pre-program base rate of pay, plus any approved merit increases earned during the contract period, in accordance with Goodwill Southern California compensation policies and practices.

The Specialist, WCD Peer Navigator Programs supports adults age 55 and older as they re-enter or advance in the workforce, pursue training, enroll in benefits, and access supportive services. Drawing on professional expertise, personal insight, and an understanding of the challenges facing older workers the Peer Navigator serves as a trusted guide, advocate and workforce navigator. The position combines individualized career guidance, participant intake and case management, workforce-system navigation, outreach, peer support, documentation, and partnership development while maintaining program, organizational, and grant compliance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Participant Services

• Build trusting relationships with older adult participants through individualized guidance, coaching, culturally responsive support, and, when appropriate, the use of personal insight to encourage engagement, motivation, and self-advocacy throughout program participation.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of participants' skills, employment goals, career interests, training needs, barriers, and support needs; develop individualized employment plans and connect participants with appropriate services.
• Complete participant intake and enrollment by collecting required documentation, determining program eligibility, explaining program services and expectations, and ensuring participants are successfully onboarded.
• Guide participants through career exploration, labor-market information, job search activities, resume and application preparation, interviewing, digital literacy, and age-friendly job-search strategies.
• Deliver job-readiness services through workshops, classroom instruction, small-group sessions, peer-support circles, and one-on-one coaching covering job search strategies, resume development, interviewing, workplace professionalism, communication, and employment readiness.
• Provide ongoing case management through follow-up, coaching, progress monitoring, case conferencing, and barrier resolution to support training completion, credential attainment, employment, retention, and advancement.
• Connect participants with internal and community resources through warm referrals for training, transportation, housing, healthcare, public benefits, financial education, legal assistance, childcare, and other identified needs.
• Coordinate qualified participant referrals with Employer Engagement teamby communicating qualifications, employment goals, readiness, and application status and by supporting employer connections, interviews, and job placement.

Case Management and Documentation

• Maintain accurate, timely, secure, and confidential participant records, including case notes, electronic and paper files, employment plans, progress reports, schedules, timesheets, outcomes, and required supporting documentation.
• Document participant services and progress in CalJOBS and other required systems in accordance with program, funder, and organizational standards.
• Track goals, training activities, job-readiness progress, employment engagement, placements, retention, and other required outcomes; use findings to support reporting and continuous service improvement.
• Coordinate training activities by preparing agreements, monitoring attendance and progress, collecting certificates and reports, resolving documentation issues, and processing billing documentation in a timely manner.
• Explain and reinforce program, funding, organizational, and confidentiality requirements while promoting participant accountability and successful participation.

Program Administration, Outreach and Partnerships

• Recruit and engage participants through hiring events, orientations, job fairs, workshops, community presentations, outreach calls, and other approved activities.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with employers, workforce staff, case managers, training providers, benefits organizations, community-based organizations, and referral partners to expand opportunities and provide coordinated support.
• Facilitate peer groups and workshops designed for older workers, including digital skills, benefits and resource navigation, overcoming ageism, training pathways, and employer engagement.
• Assist in developing practical tools, systems, resource guides, referral processes, and service-delivery practices that WorkSource Centers can use to improve services for older adults.
• Conduct participant, employer, partner, and training-satisfaction surveys; identify service-improvement opportunities and support continuous quality-improvement activities.
• Participate in program monitoring, staff meetings, audits, required training, and quality-assurance activities to ensure compliance with organizational, contractual, funding, and regulatory requirements.
• Position is based at a City of Los Angeles WorkSource Center and is community based, with a combination of office, workforce-center, and fieldwork activities.
• Regular in-person interaction with participants, staff, employers, and community partners is required.

Safety Compliance and Additional Duties

• Follow organizational safety policies and procedures and promptly report hazards, unsafe conditions, incidents, or concerns.
• Maintain safe work practices during all work activities and ensure adherence to established safety guidelines.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Travel Requirements

• This position requires travel within Los Angeles and may require travel up to 25 percent within Southern California. A valid California driver's license, state-required automobile insurance, and an acceptable Department of Motor Vehicles record are required when driving is an essential job function. Occasional evening or weekend outreach events may be required.
• The role may involve extended computer use, local travel, community events, and occasional schedule flexibility.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position does not supervise employees and may provide peer guidance, resource support, or informal assistance to program participants and staff.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or general education degree GED required.
• One to two years of case management, career counseling, workforce development, social services, peer navigation, or related experience preferred.
• Experience navigating employment later in life, career transition, benefits, workforce-system services, or related workforce challenges is strongly valued.
• Experience serving or working with adults age 55 and older preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of local workforce systems, community resources, benefits programs, training options, and older-adult services preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, organize detailed documentation, manage multiple priorities, and follow through within required timeframes.
• Proficiency with Windows-based computer applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, online job-search platforms, and case-management or database systems.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret procedures, regulations, reports, and business correspondence; write reports and case documentation; and present information clearly to participants, staff, partners, and the public.
• Ability to apply basic arithmetic, interpret data, use sound judgment, follow written and verbal instructions, and solve routine problems within established guidelines.
• Bilingual English and Spanish or another language commonly spoken in Los Angeles preferred.
• Punctual and dependable attendance, flexibility, initiative, and commitment to Goodwill's values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence.

Certification and Professional Development

• Complete required organizational, funder, safety, privacy, and program training within established timelines.
• Participate in professional development and credentialing opportunities related to workforce development, adult education, benefits navigation, older-adult services, job-search tools, ageism, training programs, and employer engagement.

Pre-Employment Testing

• Drug Screen 8 Panel
• Background Check
• Employment Verification
• Live Scan
• Professional Reference Check
• MVR
• LEIE