Employment Specialist

Scheduled Work Times/Locations:

Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM typically with some evenings or weekends possible. Location: 118 Main Street Hartford, CT.

Job Summary:

The Employment Specialist supports the clients within the Residential Program obtain meaningful employment. This is done through a variety of ways: planning and facilitating group training related to employability, developing, and maintaining relationships with local employers, supporting clients in job search and interview processes, etc. The Employment Specialist helps clients develop employment plans and carefully tracks progress along the way.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Organize and facilitate client groups on topics relating to employment.
• Travel and network in the community to strengthen relationships with potential employers as well as other organizations offering employment or educational training.
• Assess and develop client employment plans with measurable outcomes.
• Teach clients to find and use online employment resources such as job search websites.
• Help clients develop resumes, cover letters, interview skills, and address any hygiene or social issues that may be posing a challenge to successful employment.
• Maintain positive relationships with potential employers.
• Create relationships with community resources, for internal or external training, interview clothing, vocational and certificate programs.
• Continual communication with case managers and supervisor regarding shared caseload.
• Obtain ID’s. birth certificates, licenses, marriage/divorce documents, certificates, social security documents
• Maintain records tracking client employment data, such as interviews attended, jobs obtained, jobs lost, etc.
• Follow up regularly with clients regarding their employment status.
• Transport clients to job interviews as needed.
• Coordinating on site job fairs with other agency staff.
• Perform any other task that will assist the agency in carrying out its mission.
• SOAR – training and implementation of services.
• Work in close collaboration with case management
• High ability to problem solves, work autonomously and in group setting.

General Responsibilities:

• Treat all clients with dignity and respect, prioritize client needs, and advocate for the people we serve.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information.
• Promote the human dignity, rights, safety, and wellbeing of clients served.
• Professionally and ethically handle agency and client money/property.
• Fulfill all responsibilities as a mandatory reporter.
• Display a positive attitude towards clients, programs, and the agency.
• Demonstrate good communication with clients, supervisors, peers, outside resources and family/guardians.
• Demonstrate good attendance.
• Punctually attend all assigned meetings, in-services, and trainings.
• Demonstrate involvement as a team member.
• Adhere to all applicable regulations, laws and policies/procedures and know and understand your job description.
• Submit paperwork and meet job responsibility deadlines as assigned.
• Responsible for informing and updating all residents and staff of new employment. opportunities, educational and vocational, via posting and other modes of communication.

Skills:

• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize workflow.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Provide client job readiness assessments, maintain external relationships with employers, good listening skills, computer literacy, people skills, ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and or service providers or professionals.
• Valid driver’s license, and a car.
• Completion of SOARS training.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social service field (administration, psychology, human resources, or labor/industry relations) from an accredited university.
• May consider work experience in lieu of educational requirements.

Licenses and Certifications

• Must have valid Connecticut driver’s license and clean driving record with proof of automobile insurance.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $23 - $25.00 per hour, based on experience plus generous incentive compensation plan.
• Community Housing Advocates provides a generous employee benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, short- and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement. Full-time employees receive 10 days of PTO (paid time off) per year, plus 12 paid holidays.