Overview
Employment Resource Navigator Jobs in San Leandro, CA at Mandela Partners
Title: Employment Resource Navigator
Company: Mandela Partners
Location: San Leandro, CA
Email your resume [and cover letter] to [email protected] with the position title in
the subject line.
Salary: $70,000 – $74,000
We’re hiring a compassionate and resourceful Employment Resource Navigator to support participants in Mandela Partners’ Culinary Employment Pathways program as they build pathways to meaningful employment and long-term stability. This role serves as a consistent point of connection for participants—from recruitment and onboarding through job search, internships, and post-program coaching—while building strong referral partnerships with community-based service providers. The ideal candidate brings experience supporting people in navigating personal and professional goals, strong relationship-building and follow-through skills, and a deep commitment to dignity, equity, and community power. If you’re a problem-solver who believes in the potential of our communities and wants to contribute to a joyful, justice-centered workplace, we’d love to meet you.
Key Responsibilities
Participant Engagement & Case Management (35%)
- Serve as the main point of contact for Culinary Employment Pathways participants, building relationships rooted in trust, care, and accountability.
- Offer individualized coaching and case management throughout the 13-week program and into the post-internship period, helping participants identify and achieve employment and personal development goals.
- Support participants with tools for navigating challenges related to trauma, reentry, conflict resolution, time management, and workplace communication.
- Facilitate and support job readiness curriculum and soft skills workshops alongside the Culinary Education Coordinator and Small Business Resilience Manager.
Referral Network & Resource Navigation (25%)
- Build and maintain a network of aligned referral partners to support participant access to wraparound services (e.g., housing, healthcare, mental health, legal aid).
- Develop easy-to-use processes and guides that help both participants and staff understand available resources and eligibility criteria.
- Coordinate warm hand-offs to partners and track follow-up to ensure participants can access needed support.
Program Recruitment & Onboarding (20%)
- Lead the full recruitment and application process for each cohort, including marketing, partner outreach, screening, contributing to final decision-making, and applicant communication.
- Host orientation sessions, participate in outreach events, and lead participant onboarding processes.
- Monitor and evaluate the application process to ensure participants accepted meet the program criteria
- Maintain and grow relationships with local referral partners, reentry organizations, and community-based programs to ensure a strong applicant pipeline.
Data Management & Reporting (15%)
- Track and report employment outcomes in Salesforce and CalJOBS, support provided, and referral impact for grant compliance and internal learning.
- Collaborate with program staff to analyze data, surface insights, and support continuous program improvement.
Team Collaboration & Culture (5%)
- Participate in team planning, co-facilitation, reflection spaces, and internal meetings.
- Support with developing team routines and practices that foster belonging, healing, and joy.
- Contribute to cross-team initiatives, community events, and collaborative projects as needed.
Additional Responsibilities
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and organizational goals.
To Be Successful in this Role, You Have:
Minimum Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience in case management, workforce development, or direct social services.
- Familiarity with the reentry population or experience working with individuals facing systemic barriers to employment.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a deep commitment to trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, and participant-centered approaches.
- Technology-proficient and detail-oriented; experience using Salesforce, CalJOBS, or similar platforms a plus.
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Mandela Partners
- Enthusiasm for and comfort with working with people of diverse backgrounds
- Openness to giving and receiving feedback, with a learning orientation and growth mentality
- Comfort with navigating disagreement or conflict with care and diplomacy
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, plus comfort and fluency in virtual and in-person group facilitation
- Effective time management and organizational skills, including consistently tracking, communicating information clearly, and completing priorities on time; collaborates with supervisor to prioritize tasks and troubleshoot challenges.
- A collaborative team-orientation, while retaining the ability to take initiative and work independently
- Excellent judgment and the ability to proactively ask for guidance and support when needed
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings and special weekend events
Preferred Qualifications
- History of working in restaurants, food businesses, or in an adjacent industry
- Experience navigating and building cross-sector partnerships and resource systems, experience with Alameda County resources is a plus
Additional Requirements
- This job requires on-site presence in our commercial kitchen during active cohorts.
- You must be able to lift and carry 25+ lbs with or without accommodation.
Benefits
The Mandela Partners benefits package includes seven days of paid vacation with progressive increases in year two and year three, office closures during the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day and the week of Juneteenth, 10 paid holidays, 12 sick days, and health/dental/vision benefits. Employees are immediately eligible for 403(b) retirement plan enrollment.
Mandela Partners also provides unique benefits that support work-life balance and professional growth.
Our offices close for a week in June in observance of Juneteenth and at the end of the year.
All staff receive a 50% discount on weekly produce boxes.
