Employment Specialist, CRED

Title: Employment Specialist

Unit: Employment Services

Reports to: Director, Employment and Business Services


Status: Full Time; Regular, Non- Exempt

Salary Range: $34.07 to $36.82 (approximatley $62,000 - $67,000 annually)

Location: 3230 Third Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451

Days/Hours: Monday - Friday , 9am-5pm; Some evenings and weekends may be required

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) supports successful reentry from incarceration and promotes alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved over 58 years into one of the nation's preeminent reentry and criminal legal-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to reenter their communities and build productive lives .


Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $100 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. Fortune is dedicated to supporting its mission through both services and advocacy . Our advocacy focuses on building a just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry . The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 18,000 people a year. We have locations in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Position Summary:

The Employment Specialist (ES) will connect and place participants in high-quality, paid work experience positions. They will be primarily focused on participants under Fortune's contract with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development's Community Resources for Employment and Development (CRED) program, which is designed to provide pathways to employment and economic mobility for people who reside in communities where community violence is most prevalent and address the system feedback loop by offering job readiness, training for sustainable and emerging industries, and supported job placement for continued success, coupled with strong wraparound supports and follow up services tailored towards these communities.

Mission and Fit:

Embodies Fortune's mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune's core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Attention to Detail:

The ES must demonstrate competency to develop systems and processes to organize and keep track of information or work progress; is routinely conscientious, thorough, accurate and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; and recognizes trends, detects inconsistencies, and determines essential details. Ability to multi-task is preferable.

Multitasking:

The ES must have the ability to meet various demands simultaneously and effectively. Will have the ability to offer intense concentration on complex tasks. The ES will be able to rotate concentration to prioritize most critical and pressing demands first and can determine when the need arises to seek guidance and support with prioritizing from leadership.

Collaboration:

The ES must collaborate and coordinate with the team to provide care and support to participants and support them with referrals to additional wrap around service supports post release. Additionally, the ES will need to collaborate with other Fortune colleagues to ensure attention to coordination in care for other services they might be receiving.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct one-on-one employment counseling sessions with program participants as needed to assess their skills, interest and employment goals and support any barriers to employment. Develop personalized job search strategies and career development plans;
• Assist participants with editing their resumes, cover letters, and interview techniques. Support with on-site and off-site job/resource fairs;
• Build and maintain relationships with local employers to identify job openings and employment opportunities. Create employer engagement events to increase new employment opportunities and placements. Promote program services to organizations and businesses to foster employer partnerships;
• Match participants with appropriate job openings based on their skills and qualifications. Support clients throughout the hiring process, providing guidance and advocacy as needed. Support Case Managers with obtaining post-placement retention verification;
• Track and evaluate the process and outcomes. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of participants and employers' interactions in our database. Generate reports and provide regular updates on placement activity, performance metrics, and market trends. Establish and maintain strong relationships with participants by providing support, guidance, and feedback throughout the placement process. Monitor participants progress in their new jobs and provide post-placement support to ensure retention. Address any barriers to employment and connect clients with relevant resources;
• Maintain accurate records of participants interactions, job placements, and outcomes. Prepare reports and statistics on employment services provided. Document all engagement in Case Worthy to ensure all parties involved are aware in real-time of participant activities, and support is provided where appropriate. Maintain regular phone, email, and in-person communication within account base document all pertinent discussions, milestones, events, and incidents in real-time;
• Stay informed about labor market trends, job search techniques, and employment resources. Participate in internal and external training and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge. Educate employers on the socioeconomic advantages of hiring from Fortune's pool of candidates; be able to cite recent departmental employment statistics and competitive advantages of hiring from The Fortune Society;
• Attend workforce networking events and training workshops to remain informed;
• Model safe and positive workplace behavior and work readiness skills (teamwork, conflict resolution, positive attitude, timeliness, etc.);
• Utilize trauma-informed practices to support participants; establish constructive relationships with participants as a positive role model;
• Participate in collaborative meetings with Employment Services' teams to assess participant progress and further develop their individualized plans for placement. Ensure that relevant information is shared with the team to aid in service planning;
• Participate in regular, ongoing professional development opportunities including: trainings, skill practice, and receiving ongoing coaching and feedback;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in business/sociology/social work/criminal justice/public administration or other life/professional experience equivalent to an associate's degree;
• A minimum of three of successful and relevant experience serving system-impacted individuals and with (including but not limited to) job development, employer engagement, and recruitment, especially in the fields of construction and building maintenance, social services, and customer service/retail;
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred;
• Skilled communicator who can liaise interdepartmentally as well as with community partners, employers and stakeholders;
• Knowledge of up-to-date labor market trends and resources a plus;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Outlook and Office 365;
• Ability to work independently and on a team;
• Must be willing to work in a fast-paced environment with varying demands and achieve set goals.
• Experience and/or desire to work with a diverse population.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Travel Requirements: Travel to Long Island City office, other Fortune offices, employer sites, job fairs, conferences and other relevant events

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.


The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.