Thrive Initiative Navigator

Sieda Community Action is seeking a motivated professional to serve as a Thrive Navigator for Mahaska County. The Thrive Initiative strengthens families and builds lasting partnerships throughout our communities by connecting individuals and families with the resources, supports, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Utilizing the Restore Hope model, the Thrive Navigator is responsible for providing individualized support to participants by assessing needs, developing goal-focused action plans, coordinating services, and connecting individuals and families with community resources. This position works with support and oversight from the Thrive Coordinator, and works closely with community partners, and service providers to ensure participants receive comprehensive, person-centered support while promoting self-sufficiency, strengthening natural support systems, and improving overall well-being.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Associate degree in Social/Human/Family Services or related field from an accredited college or university and five years of relevant experience of case management or human services program provision. Or a Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or related fields from an accredited college or university and two years of relevant experience of case management or human services program provision (preferred). 

Bilingual or multilingual applicants, experience with family services that embrace the concepts of family-centered and strength-based service provision, experience with reflective practice, and experience in providing services to culturally diverse communities/families is preferred. 

For more information please review the full job description below. 

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt position with full benefits. This includes:

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Paid holidays.
• Generous vacation and sick leave.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• IPERS retirement.
• Professional development and required training support.

For consideration, please submit your resume and complete the online application process. Applications will be accepted until Friday, July 24, 2026 at 4pm. For questions, please contact Jenna Fleener at jfleener@sieda.org  

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Thrive Initiative Navigator

 UNIT: Economic and Family Support Services (EFSS)                          

REPORTS TO: Thrive Initiative Coordinator       

FLSA STATUS:   Non-Exempt

SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Thrive Initiative Coordinator, the Thrive Initiative Navigator is responsible for providing support and guidance to clients, assessing their needs, and developing a plan of care that meets those needs. The Navigator has the responsibility for the implementation and delivery of services indicated in the Thrive Iowa Initiative within the service area. Navigators provide resources and referrals along with ongoing contact and support of enrolled families. These services promote, empower, and guide families to self-sufficiency and achieve a healthy role in the community. Navigators use a client-centered approach that emphasizes the strengths of families and builds upon those strengths. Assisting families to set and attain goals, while recognizing that families seek to address their multiple needs at a pace and intensity that works for them. 

DUTIES: (Essential Functions)

• Perform complex varied duties requiring advanced skills. 
• Develop trust and maintain positive relationships with community partners and stakeholders.
• Support Thrive Alliance Partners in implementation of the Thrive model.
• Update case management system on a regular basis to reflect client’s progress, in compliance with monthly reporting requirements based on performance indicators.
•  Refer individuals to appropriate outside organizations; provide follow-up to ensure the individual’s needs are met and outcomes of these services provide support for the individual to achieve their goals.
• Empower clients to lead themselves and hold clients accountable to follow-through on the plans they have developed.
• Serve as a bridge between individuals and providers to increase client involvement in their care plans.
• Develop a working relationship with other Navigators and community service providers.
•  Participate in Thrive and Restore Hope meetings and trainings, and professional development..
• Conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the professional standards of Restore Hope.
• Advocate for individuals and families in all areas of their life, connect them with community resources, and provide support to clients at court sessions, CPS/IHHS hearings, and the like. 
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Attend and participate in all relevant meetings
• Other duties deemed necessary to support the Thrive Initiative, unit and Sieda as an organization
  

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

• Receive periodic supervision regarding task guidelines and completion.
• Manage their schedule and make decisions concerning client needs, Initiative tasks and completion within specific timeframes.
• Maintain a regular attendance pattern to assure continuity of services and staff coverage.
• Demonstrate professional behavior, including work ethic, communication, team building skills, positive attitude, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.

DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY

• Limited independent decision-making authority.  

 INITIATIVE REPRESENTATION:

• Requires varying levels of interaction with staff, enrolled participants and other agencies in a role where they represent a single program.
• Develop and maintain working partnerships with other providers. Inform other providers of program openings regularly.
  
• Be able to assume responsibility and work as a team member and leader.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate, engage and connect with both staff and clients.
• Attend meetings to collaborate and promote Thrive and EFSS.

INITIATIVE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION:

• Involved in the planning of a limited area within a program reflective of their job responsibilities. 
• Form partnerships with outside, collaborating providers. 
• Ensure families develop and achieve meaningful goals to promote family stability and growth.
• Ensure the full enrollment  to maintain required capacity levels as outlined in the contract.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• None

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS: (Essential Functions)

• Support and model the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
• Maintain a regular attendance pattern to assure continuity of services and adequate staff coverage.
• Demonstrate professional behavior at all times, including appearance and maintaining an orderly functioning office area.
• Treat all individuals in a courteous, non-judgmental, reasonable and confidential manner.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to communicate comfortably, effectively and in an engaging manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken formats.
• Ability to utilize good listening skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents.
• Ability to speak in a way that is both respectful and compels positive change.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of written rules and regulations and translate that information to program participants in a format resulting in contractual compliance in the delivery of Initiative services.
• Ability to make ethical, operational and logical decisions confidently and effectively. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold and extreme heat.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, stand, walk, climb stairs, use hands and arms, drive, crouch and sit.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 20 pounds.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to be considered for this position.  

FORMAL EDUCATION:

• Required:
  • Associate degree in Social/Human/Family Services or related field from an accredited college or university  
• Preferred:
  • Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or related fields from an accredited college or university. 

EXPERIENCE:

• Required:
  • With an AA: Five years of relevant experience of case management or human services program provision
  • With a BA: Two years of relevant experience of case management or human services program provision
• Preferred:
  • Bilingual or multilingual.
  • Experience with family services that embrace the concepts of family-centered and strength-based service provision.
  • Experience with reflective practice.
  • Experience in providing services to culturally diverse communities/families.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY:

• Moderate level of computer knowledge and experience.
• Ability to enter documentation and information into databases and documents.
• Ability to use Google and Microsoft software applications/programs (calendar/Gmail/docs/sheets/drive/Word etc.) with minimal training and perform simple maintenance to keep computers operational.
• Ability to invite/schedule/attend/present virtual meetings using various platforms (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, etc.)
• Ability to maintain and operate a laptop computer and cell phone