Employment Specialist

We Are Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority

Since 1938 the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority has been working to create jobs, expand the City's tax base, improve the quality of life for our citizens and breathe new life into our historic neighborhoods. Today, our dedicated professionals are committed to providing the best customer service to all of our vendors, development partners, and clients. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for the citizenry of Portsmouth, Va. through resource acquisition, asset management, and pursuing innovative opportunities.

Making our city more inviting than ever means welcoming the best and brightest professionals to our team. We are currently accepting application or resume’ for the following position opening.

EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Under the supervision of the Resident Services Coordinator or designee, the Employment Specialist coordinates and conducts program modules and/or service plans to train and obtain employment for Jobs Plus program participants. This position is of a highly sensitive nature requiring the Employment Specialist to have direct contact with clients and families to develop and monitor the Jobs Plus program and provide support, monitoring resources and referrals.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Illustrative Only)

• Responsible for the intake, assessment and determination of eligibility of the program applicants.
• Interviews and assess participants regarding needs in order to become gainfully employed.
• Develops and monitors progress of the Job Support Plan and takes action to resolve barriers to employment by identifying the need for other services and benefits.
• Develops and promotes employment and employment training opportunities for participants enrolled in the Jobs Plus Program.
• Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with local businesses, institutions, agencies and community organizations.
• Develops work sites in the public and private non-profit agencies via partnerships and contractual agreements for the work experience and on-the-job training components of the program.
• Assists in the development of participant’s individual capabilities and seeks solutions to issues involving childcare, finances, housing, education, training and employment.
• Provides referrals and support to program participants.
• Monitors, schedules and facilitate support groups and maintains accurate and confidential records and files.
• Maintains effective working relationships with collaborative community agencies, schools, departments and businesses to insure cooperation, coordination of services and progress toward family goals.
• Provides reports to supervisor regarding program outcome, performance, and measures goals and objectives.
• Collects, complies and analyzes data on program participants employment needs.
• Markets the Jobs Plus Program to residents and recruit program participants.
• Establish and maintain program relations with Jobs Plus employers to promote the training and hiring of Jobs Plus participants.
• Collects, complies and distributes information about the services in the Seaboard Square and Swanson Homes Communities.
• Acts to ensure compliance with grant requirements.
• Provides information to participants on assistance with financial literacy activities.
• Coordinates transportation services for Jobs Plus participants and attends meetings as requested.
• Observes all safety rules and regulations.
• Job duties, responsibilities, specifications, and other job aspects may be changed as needed; performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of social work methods, case management, counseling techniques and practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of employment, vocational development, career development and personal development programs and techniques.
• Knowledge of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and other local resources and community service agencies.
• Establish new employer relationships and maintain pre-existing relationships with employers to secure valid and unsubsidized employment opportunities for residents.
• Screens and match residents with employment opportunities based on skill, work experience, hobbies and interests.
• Teach an Employer Readiness Class and takes an innovative and exciting approach to participants in teaching the program.
• Capable of organizing and implementing job-related special events such as the annual PRHA Job Fair and employer presentations.
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures and experience working in a team environment, utilizing social services, public housing or applicable state, federal and local regulations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Self-starter with the ability to perform a variety of tasks simultaneously and to plan, organize and schedule work to meet critical deadlines and performance measures.
• Work independently with minimal supervision, under pressure and with time restraints
• Available for occasional weekend activities, after-hours may be required.
• Demonstrate good judgment according to Authority policies and procedures and have the ability to make appropriate “on-the-spot” decisions with attention to details that relate to an individual family needs.
• Good clerical and administrative aptitude with excellent organizational skills.
• Computer literacy required and proficient in Microsoft Word, Windows and Excel spreadsheets.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to prepare grammatically correct correspondence and comfortable making oral presentations before others.
• Maintain a functional working relationship with all concerned social agencies and coordinates with local agencies those services essential to upgrading the social and economic well-being of the participants.
• Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with local businesses, institutions, agencies and community organizations.
• Promotes a positive image of the Authority by establishing and maintaining to the greatest extent possible a viable and positive working relationship with residents, co-workers, local agencies and all appropriate agencies of the City with which the Authority may come into contact.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sufficient manual dexterity to allow operation of variety of automated office machines, i.e. keyboarding, Xerox machines, printers, fax machines, telephone, calculator, etc.
• Ability to move, carry and/or operate objects and materials such as office supplies, files, etc.
• Ability to sufficiently operate an automobile and must be insurable by the Authority’s automobile insurance carrier and possess and maintain a valid driver’s license insured by the Commonwealth of Virginia throughout duration of employment.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing in Sociology, Social Work, Education or related field of study. Three to five years’ experience in social work and demonstrated experience with case management of low-income populations. Experience working with local resource and community services agencies and familiarity with TANF rules and regulations. Excellent communications and problem-solving skills are essential.