Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vocational Skills Coach

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about helping others unlock their professional potential? As a Vocational Skills Coach, you will be the catalyst for career transformation. This isn't just about finding someone a job; it's about building confidence, teaching marketable skills, and providing steadfast support as individuals navigate their path to meaningful employment. You will act as a mentor, advocate, and strategist, directly impacting lives and strengthening our community's workforce. This role requires a dynamic and empathetic individual to guide our clients toward achieving their career aspirations and long-term economic stability.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Case Manager
Direct Support Professional
Human Resources Assistant
Social Work Intern / Assistant
Teacher's Aide or Paraprofessional

Advancement To:

Senior Vocational Coach / Team Lead
Career Services Manager
Workforce Development Program Coordinator
Employer Relations Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Life Skills Coach
Academic Advisor
Corporate Trainer
Recruiter

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive vocational assessments to identify clients' skills, interests, strengths, and potential barriers to employment.
Develop and implement highly personalized Individualized Employment Plans (IEPs) with clear, actionable, and time-bound career goals.
Provide intensive one-on-one coaching and group facilitation on all aspects of the job search process, including resume/cover letter writing, interview preparation, and effective networking strategies.
Design and deliver engaging workshops on essential workplace soft skills, such as professional communication, conflict resolution, time management, and teamwork.
Cultivate and maintain strong, positive relationships with local employers and community partners to develop a robust pipeline of job leads, internships, and direct placement opportunities.
Deliver on-site and remote job coaching for newly employed clients to ensure successful integration into the workplace and support long-term job retention.
Meticulously document all client interactions, progress, and outcomes in case management software in a timely and accurate manner for reporting and compliance.
Connect clients with a network of wraparound support services, including transportation, childcare, housing assistance, and mental health resources, to address holistic needs.
Administer and interpret a variety of vocational assessment tools and interest inventories to help clients explore suitable career pathways.
Facilitate training sessions on critical life skills, such as financial literacy, budgeting, and understanding employee benefits, to promote overall stability.
Serve as a dedicated advocate for clients with employers, assisting with requests for reasonable accommodations and mediating workplace challenges.
Monitor, track, and analyze client placement and retention data to measure program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Assist clients in improving their digital literacy, including navigating online job application systems, professional social media, and virtual communication platforms.
Continuously research and stay current on local labor market trends, in-demand industries, and wage data to provide relevant and strategic career guidance.
Provide consistent post-employment follow-up support for at least 90-180 days to troubleshoot issues, celebrate successes, and encourage career advancement.
Guide clients through the complexities of benefits counseling (e.g., SSI/SSDI) to help them understand how earned income may impact their benefits.
Collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary team, including case managers, therapists, and other service providers, to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to client care.
Source and coordinate valuable work-based learning experiences for clients, such as volunteer placements, internships, or informational interviews.
Assist clients in developing professional portfolios that showcase their skills, accomplishments, and readiness for employment.
Empower clients to build self-advocacy skills, enabling them to confidently articulate their needs and strengths in professional settings.

Secondary Functions

Participate in inter-agency meetings and community-based task forces to represent the organization and stay informed of new resources.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of vocational program curriculum and service delivery models.
Assist with data collection and narrative development for grant proposals and funder reports.
Support outreach and recruitment efforts to bring new clients into the vocational program.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Case Management Software: Proficiency in using CRM or case management systems (e.g., ETO, Salesforce for Nonprofits, CharityTracker).
Vocational Assessment Tools: Familiarity with tools like O*NET, Strong Interest Inventory, or CASAS for skill and interest evaluation.
Curriculum Development: Ability to design and structure effective training materials and workshop content for job readiness programs.
MS Office & Google Workspace: Strong command of word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software for documentation and training.
Labor Market Knowledge: Understanding of local and regional labor market trends, key industries, and in-demand occupations.
Employment Law: Working knowledge of ADA, EEO, and other relevant employment regulations.
Resume Writing Techniques: Expertise in crafting modern, ATS-friendly resumes and compelling cover letters.

Soft Skills

Empathetic Communication: Ability to listen actively, build rapport, and communicate with compassion and respect across diverse populations.
Patience and Resilience: Capacity to remain calm, patient, and persistent when faced with client setbacks or challenging situations.
Motivational Coaching: Skill in inspiring action, building confidence, and empowering individuals to overcome obstacles.
Creative Problem-Solving: Aptitude for identifying challenges and developing innovative solutions to help clients succeed.
Networking & Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills to forge effective connections with employers, community partners, and clients.
Cultural Competency: A deep commitment to and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust coaching styles and strategies to meet the unique needs of each individual and changing program demands.
Exceptional Organization: Superior ability to manage a caseload, track multiple data points, and meet deadlines consistently.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Significant, directly related work experience (typically 4+ years) may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in a relevant field and/or professional certification (e.g., Certified Career Services Provider - CCSP, Global Career Development Facilitator - GCDF).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Work (BSW/MSW)
Psychology or Counseling
Human Services
Education
Human Resources

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of experience in workforce development, career counseling, social work, case management, or a related field.

Preferred:

Demonstrated experience working with specific populations, such as individuals with disabilities, veterans, returning citizens, or at-risk youth.
A proven track record of meeting or exceeding job placement and retention goals.
Experience in building and maintaining relationships with employers.
Bilingual abilities are highly desirable.