Employment Specialist-Housing Based

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Employment Specialist - Housing Based

Reports To: Director of Education and Employment Services

• Purpose of Position: The Housing-based Employment Specialist works closely with case managers to provide support and resources to motivate clients towards stable employment, monitor client progress on employment plan activities, and help clients overcome barriers to successful employment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advocates for the mission of the organization and upholds the agency's values.
• Provides housing-based employment services to clients in all Crossroads programs.
• Work closely with case managers to provide support and resources to motivate clients to work towards employment, monitoring client progress on employment plan activities, and helping clients overcome barriers-both real and perceived-to successful employment.
• Assess client's skills and job readiness from a "stages of change" perspective.
• Devise a client-centered employment plan to meet client's where they are in partnership with case management.
• Stays current on employment trends and opportunities to guide clients when career planning and job searching.
• Assists clients to access education, employment and job training services, in Crossroads and the community
• Provides job readiness activities (i.e. career awareness, resume writing, online job applications, interview practice, etc) one on one and in small groups
• Develops strong relationships with current and future employer partners
• Maintains accurate client data including case notes, job placement information and retention services to meet funder expectations.
• Timely completion of all client/program related documentation, reports and paperwork.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Experience and Education:

• Associates Degree or advanced certification preferred, extensive experience may substitute for degree.
• 2 years experience working in the field of employment, workforce development or adult education.
• Some experience working with homeless or disconnected populations (homeless, disabled persons, ex – offenders, persons in recovery).
• Experience navigating RI's workforce development / employment & training system.
• Experience accessing resources available to job seekers including persons with barriers to employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Committed to working with the homeless and disconnected population.
• Must be computer-literate with competence in Microsoft Word, email, and web applications.
• Highly organized and able to handle rapidly changing priorities.
• Effective problem-solver.
• Outgoing, able to establish and maintain relationships with referral sources, trainees and employers.
• Quick learner interested in expanding knowledge and experience in non-profit, social services, etc., environment.
• Knowledge of employment opportunities and services in RI (i.e. netWORKri, job developer networks etc)
• Networking with employment agencies, employers and colleagues
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Team builder-can inspire and motivate client trainees to perform their best.
• Can work effectively independently as well as a member of a team.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: Extended periods of sitting and standing as well as assisting clients according to their physical needs.
• Work environment: Primarily an office environment with some local travel required. Use of regular office equipment.