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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.

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.

The role of the JMG HOPE/Pas Pathway Navigators is to act as a liaison between DHHS and participants of the HOPE and PaS programs by assisting in accessing the benefits of those 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 post-secondary programs of study. Pathway Navigators provide direct support to participants to promote Persistence and Completion for students pursuing post-secondary credentials by identifying and providing direct assistance to participants to ensure they can overcome barriers. Experience working with adult students and/or knowledge of academic institutions’ systems preferred.

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.

The top candidate for this position will have a background in taking a relationship-based approach to helping individuals achieve their goals. They will have a general knowledge of the administrative requirements of higher education and the types of barriers faced by low-income individuals and parenting students. They will also have the ability to act as the primary point of contact for DHHS with current HOPE/PaS students, potential applicants, and campus contacts.

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.

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.

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—ability to work 12 months a year.

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Apply now and inspire the next generation!

Founded in 1993, 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. *JMG was ranked the #1 mid-sized company in 2021 by Best Places to Work in ME. *Please visit our website at JMG.org to learn more.

JMG takes an inclusive approach to all our hiring practices and wants to hire those who best align with our mission and goals. Research shows that individuals from historically marginalized groups tend to self-select out of opportunities. If you see yourself in this job description but feel like you may not meet a strict interpretation of every single criterion, we encourage you to apply anyway!

JMG does not discriminate on the basis of 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.