James Smith
Diamond Bar,CA
Summary
Seasoned Career Counselor with background in providing tailored career planning services and job search strategies. Skilled at assisting clients in identifying personal interests, skills, and values to design fulfilling career paths. Strengths include excellent communication abilities, empathy, and the ability to motivate individuals towards achieving career goals. Previously made significant impact by implementing innovative counseling techniques resulting in successful client employment outcomes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Coordinator
PVJOBS
Los Angeles, CA
01.2025 - Current
- Directed development and implementation of grant-funded programs serving justice-impacted youth; managed budgets, led staff development initiatives, and monitored program outcomes to ensure compliance and effectiveness
- Assisted individuals who are unemployed or underemployed by providing resources such as job training programs or financial aid options where applicable.
- Assisted individuals making career-related decisions by conducting assessments to measure skills, abilities and interests.
- Taught classes and presented self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
Workforce Development Lead
Veterans Stand Together
Southgate, CA
04.2024 - 09.2024
- Recommended changes or improvements needed in existing processes or procedures regarding workforce development efforts.
- Monitored, evaluated and recorded training activities or program effectiveness.
- Developed and maintained effective relationships with business leaders, HR teams, and recruiters to create a pool of jobs for veteran graduates, for referrals, and warm handoffs.
- Organized and implemented workshops, group sessions, and one-on-one coaching to assist students in developing their soft skills.
- Personally, doubled the job placement totals of graduates from the previous eighteen months in less than six months.
Career Navigator (Reentry)
Working Wardrobes
Santa Ana, CA
12.2022 - 04.2024
- Performed program outreach, orientation, eligibility, intake, and enrollment of justice-impacted job seekers.
- Created IEPs/ISPs for each individual participant, maintaining a caseload of an average of 150 justice impacted participants.
- Coordinated referrals between community organizations providing additional support services.
- Developed and implemented multiple eight week curriculums of In-service classes in both Men's and Women's jails in Orange County.
- Personally responsible for fifty percent of all placements on a team of up to five Career Navigators.
Career Navigator (Veterans)
Working Wardrobes
Santa Ana, CA
06.2022 - 12.2022
- Performed program outreach, orientation, eligibility, intake, and enrollment of veteran job seekers.
- Created IEPs/ISPs for each individual participant, maintaining a caseload of an average of 100 veteran participants.
- Coordinated referrals between community organizations providing additional support services.
- Monitored program participation of all veteran clients and kept follow up procedures for twelve-month period.
Director of Community Outreach
Veterans Stand Together
Torrance, CA
11.2020 - 06.2022
- Monitored trends in the industry related to community engagement strategies and incorporated changes into existing plans as needed.
- Handled administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
- Facilitated communication between various departments within the organization to ensure consistency in messaging across all channels of outreach.
- Prepared reports summarizing results achieved through different types of outreach activities throughout the year.
- Represented the organization in relations with business owners, partner organizations, and new job pipelines.
Vocational Counselor (VEAP)
West Adams Worksource Center
Los Angeles, CA
06.2016 - 06.2017
- Devised and oversaw job fairs and career events.
- Conducted group workshops to discuss topics related to employment, career development, and job searching.
- Assisted individuals making career-related decisions by conducting assessments to measure skills, abilities and interests.
- Maintained case files and documented actions.
- Conducted follow-up interviews with clients after they obtained employment or further education.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Rehabilitation Services
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA05-2025
Skills
- Career counseling
- Labor market research
- Career development
- Workshop coordination
- Coaching and development
- Clear communication
- Relationship building
- Training program development
Certification
- CA Peer Support Specialist Certified (Veterans)
- RAD-T Certification
- CA Guard Card
Timeline
Program Coordinator
PVJOBS
01.2025 - Current
Workforce Development Lead
Veterans Stand Together
04.2024 - 09.2024
Career Navigator (Reentry)
Working Wardrobes
12.2022 - 04.2024
Career Navigator (Veterans)
Working Wardrobes
06.2022 - 12.2022
Director of Community Outreach
Veterans Stand Together
11.2020 - 06.2022
Vocational Counselor (VEAP)
West Adams Worksource Center
06.2016 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Science - Rehabilitation Services
California State University, Los Angeles