Pathway Navigator - Western Maine

Are you passionate about helping Mainers reach their education and career goals? Are you a skilled collaborator and relationship builder seeking a new challenge? If so, you could be the candidate we are looking for to fill a Pathway Navigator position, known internally as the JMG HOPE/PaS Navigator serving students and colleges in the Western Maine area. You will work closely with the following institutions and more: the University of Maine at Farmington, Kennebec Valley Community College, and Aveda. Position Summary JMG has partnered with the DHHS programs, Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment, or HOPE, and Parents as Scholars, or PaS. Both programs serve participants ages 16 to 64 who are parenting, attending a post-secondary educational program, and meet specific income criteria. These workforce development programs assist participants in accessing the benefits provided by the HOPE and PaS Programs as well as connect participants to resources needed to complete their education or training that leads to achieving employment goals. By building strong connections with participants, the JMG HOPE/PaS Pathway Navigator acts as a liaison between the participants and DHHS, assisting participants in accessing the benefits of the HOPE and PaS Programs. HOPE/PaS Pathway Navigators play a critical role in identifying and reducing obstacles that may otherwise impede participants’ progress in, or threaten the completion of, their programs of study. Pathway Navigators provide direct support to participants to promote persistence and completion in a post-secondary education program and to identify and provide direct assistance to participants to ensure they can overcome barriers The HOPE/PaS Pathway Navigators work together as a team, serving students at designated campuses statewide. The JMG HOPE/PaS Pathway Navigators collaborate directly with the Maine DHHS, Office for Family Independence to ensure funding is provided to reduce education and other critical expenses to support participants’ persistence and completion of post-secondary goals, leading to earning a credential of value. Essential Skills: An ability to identify at-risk participants and strengthen those individuals’ persistence and completion of their individual academic and career goals Knowledge of the vast types of assistance programs available to low-income students and parents that include HOPE and PaS Programs, school, community, state, and federal supports. Establish a network for connecting students with financial, academic, and personal support. Understand the financial aid process and other forms of financial assistance available to low-income students. Thorough and current knowledge of the administrative requirements and procedures for institutions of higher education. Ability to integrate into educational institutions and with training providers to develop and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, and departments. Strong communication, relationship-building, assessment, planning, implementation, and monitoring abilities to maintain up-to-date participant information. Essential Functions Act as the primary point of contact and coordinator for HOPE/PaS participants’ requests for DHHS student support funding services for tuition, mileage, childcare, etc. Build professional working relationships with adult participants to identify and reduce obstacles that may otherwise impede participants’ progress in, or threaten the completion of, their programs of study. Provide proactive advising to HOPE/PaS participants, who are parents engaged in higher education, at least once a month, in their preferred method of communication and frequency, respecting their schedules. Address barriers participants are facing, including financial, academic, or personal, and act as a primary point of contact and coordinator for DHHS supports and resources available through community organizations. Develop individualized Success Plans to reduce obstacles that may impede a student’s progress. Act as a liaison for DHHS between the HOPE/PaS participant and their post-secondary institution. Accurately track participant interactions, intervention plans, and strategies in accordance with data collection expectations. Assist students with the FAFSA and other financial resources pertaining to their post-secondary goals. Meet with participants in person both at the educational institutions and at convenient locations within the participants’ communities to cultivate strong relationships between participants and Pathway Navigators. Engage with DHHS to broker new, relevant resources to HOPE/PaS participants. Receive training and gain proficiency with policy, rules, and statutes of the HOPE and PaS programs; The Department’s Privacy and Security Sanctions policy; The Department’s definitions of Career Pathways, Adequate Job Outlook, and using the Maine Department of Labor’s CWRI appropriately for the HOPE and PaS programs; and HOPE Support Services and ASPIRE Support Services offered to eligible HOPE and PaS students. Participate in DHHS HOPE/PaS training teams as required. Participate in JMG activities and events including meetings, professional development as required, etc. Serve on project teams and workgroups as assigned. All other duties as assigned. Education/Experience/Skills Requirements Bachelor’s Degree with training, education, or experience in human services, social services, education, or a related field. Must have current Maine CHRC approval, or be eligible for Maine CHRC. Two (2) years of experience providing the ongoing encouragement, and assistance needed to ensure that students overcome barriers to attain a Degree or Credential of value A background taking a relationship-based approach as a Student Navigator, mentor, or advisor to students in higher education and proven skills in human relations and leadership Experience in maintaining complete and accurate participant data and/or comparable experience in regard to attention to detail and actionable record keeping. Prior experience developing partnerships with campus faculty, staff, and administrators General knowledge of the types of barriers faced by low-income parents and at-risk students General knowledge of best practices for proactive advising, ability to track Intervention plans and strategies, and proven skills in supervision and motivational techniques Demonstrated experience identifying individuals at-risk, Intervening, providing just-in-time assistance, and reporting outcomes Knowledge of existing supports, programs, and financial aid available to low-income students An understanding of and prior experience with administrative requirements and procedures of higher education and/or the Career Pathway process An understanding of and prior experience with academic planning and the financial aid process Prior experience facilitating students’ academic and/or social connections and connecting students with appropriate information and resources An ability to communicate effectively with students and members of the community, and to make formal presentations Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines Ability to establish appropriate boundaries while developing and nurturing supportive relationships with students and program participants. An ability to work twelve (12) months per year, communicating with participants at their convenience in the method they prefer. Compensation for this position is $43,000 plus bonuses for qualifying staff. This position starts with 15 days of vacation time, 15 days of sick time, plus one additional week of COVID-19 time if needed. This role will also have an additional week of vacation at Christmas and an additional week of vacation the week of the Fourth of July holiday, and an additional floating week of vacation to be used with manager approval. JMG offers a generous benefits package including: Health, dental, and vision insurance Company-paid disability and life insurance Voluntary life insurance 403B plan with employer match after two years Tuition reimbursement Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts Cell Phone reimbursement Gym membership reimbursement and additional wellness benefits Working Conditions This year-round, full-time position works primarily from a home-based office. In addition, the HOPE/PaS Pathway Navigator will dedicate approximately two days per week to meeting with participants face-to-face and hosting office and drop-in hours at local Universities, Community Colleges, and various workforce development training locations in their area. Upon hire, they will be paired with a JMG mentor, and participate in a formal training program including training around all elements of the HOPE and PaS programs. About JMG JMG partners with public education and private businesses to offer results-driven solutions to ensure all Maine students graduate, attain post-secondary credentials, and pursue meaningful careers. We strengthen Maine's workforce and economy by providing students with the guidance, skills, and opportunities to succeed in their careers. JMG serves more than 12,000 students a year in communities throughout Maine’s 16 counties. JMG does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. JMG encourages applications from diverse populations, women, persons with disabilities, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.