At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential.
Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Career Navigator and Internship Manager at Summer Search Philadelphia supports students and alumni in career pathways exploration and attainment of internships and apprenticeships by creating systems and processes that provide consistent, timely communication and support about career exploration opportunities with Summer Search and how to access them. The Summer Search Philadelphia Career Navigator and Internship Manager will coordinate and manage numerous external partnerships related to career exploration. Summer Search Philadelphia currently has one significant career exploration partner that is hosting 20+ young adults for professional apprenticeships. The Career Navigator and Internship Manager will move opportunities for career exploration forward in strategic and tactical ways, including playing a key role in the assessment and program development of all career exploration programs and help deliver training and support to the rest of the organization regarding career pathways. The successful candidate will work effectively as a team member, provide direction and leadership, delegate and possess strong organizational skills. Specifically, The Career Navigator and Internship Manager will advance Summer Search’s mission through the following job responsibilities:
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Program Development and Implementation
Design and implement a formal process for assessing potential career exploration opportunities and how those opportunities best align with the needs and goals of young people connected with Summer Search
Design and implement a formal process for recruitment and selection that can be replicated across various partnerships
Create and manage process that provides consistent communication with students and alumni about career exploration opportunities
Provide career counseling and coaching to students and alumni on an as needed basis, utilizing volunteers where applicable
Create and sustain career pathway resources ensuring that post-secondary students receive the support they need to successfully secure and ideally maintain a job
Partnership Management
In partnership with the Philadelphia leadership team, identify, cultivate and manage relationships with corporate partners to build and sustain high-quality early career experiences
Develop, build and sustain a network of community resource that can holistically support students
Develop, identify, and maintain strong partnerships with employers seeking to diversify talent pipeline and connect Summer Searchers directly
Quality Control
Review and update career exploration policies and procedures
Create and compile pre and post evaluations for both participants and partners
Make sure that Summer Search stays current with workforce development trends and best practices
Develop and implement strategies that create consistency and standardization among all Summer Search career exploration programs
Input necessary data into Salesforce and oversee all data collection and reporting
WHO YOU ARE
The Career Navigator and Internship Manager will be a relationship builder with a collaborative mindset. The candidate will be a highly-motivated team player who thrives in an authentic, feedback-driven culture exemplifying curiosity, empathy, flexibility and a commitment to learning. Required experience/ knowledge here:
EXPERIENCE: At least 3 to 5 years of professional work experience in operational or program management roles, ideally at organizations that serve young adults from low-income communities.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to juggle multiple workflows and easily adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment. Prior experience leading project teams and managing external partners/vendors.
TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION: Inspires and fosters commitment, connection, enthusiasm, and trust, facilitates cooperation and motivates people to accomplish goals, manages, and resolves conflicts and handles interpersonal issues constructively.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Holds self and others responsible for process, decisions, actions and commitments to results and to drive high-quality outcomes for students, is responsive to needs of stakeholders (students, donors, community partners, staff members, alumni, volunteers).
DATA MANAGMENT: Executes processes, tasks and activities related to acquiring, validating, and managing accurate information within a shared system (Salesforce, CONNECT, Raisers Edge), leverages database to track data and organizes information.
CRITICAL CONSCIOUNESS: Recognizes sociopolitical barriers and understands the systems of oppression that operate in day-to-day lives of stakeholders e.g. students/participants, staff members, community partners, and alumni. Applies critical thinking and takes action against the oppressive aspects of reality
TECHNICAL SKILLS: Demonstrated knowledge in career fluency, industry expertise, recruiting/talent acquisition, or career counselling is a must.
In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.
LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Work hours are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm with occasional weekend and evening special events. This is a hybrid role with the expectation of working 3 days in office and 2 days remote. The office days will be split between the Summer Search Philadelphia office and partner site. Reliable transportation to travel to office and partners in the greater Philadelphia area is required.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This is an exempt position with a salary range of $60,746-$66,203. Summer Search is committed to transparent, equitable compensation practices. Salaries are benchmarked using current market data and salary bands are created to demonstrate the growth potential within the band. Typically, offers are made at the starting place of the salary band. The Hiring Manager partners with the Talent Team to ensure offers are appropriate, competitive and maintain internal equity.
Well-being, flexibility, and ongoing learning and development are pillars of our culture. We value our staff and are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. Investments in our staff include:
Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution
Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans
401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually
Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 1-week December closure). Plus, Re-Fresh Fridays - a paid half day off the first Friday of every month!
A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding).
A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.
Individual, local, regional and national training
A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization.
An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care
Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with students, as well as how we work together as a team. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a justice-centered organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.
TO APPLY
Select "Apply for this Position" below to submit a resume and targeted cover letter, addressed to Gretchen Mielke, Post-Secondary Director, that answers the question, “Why are you interested in the Career Navigator and Internship Manager opportunity at Summer Search?”
SUMMER SEARCH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.