Career Services Manager

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT JFS

For more than 150 years, Jewish Family Services of Western New York has been committed to providing high quality services to all in need in the interest of helping to "repair the world." Our services are guided by the essential connection between mental well-being, physical wellness, and positive self-worth. Our reputation is the result of our exceptional staff. In addition to offering competitive compensation and truly exceptional benefits, we are committed to providing a supportive work environment in which all employees are able to contribute their best.

OUR VALUES

Be a Mensch: We are ethical, kind, and admirable. We assume good intent and act with integrity. We are thoughtful and deliberative in how we support our clients, each other, and the community. “Choose generosity over judgment—every time”

Be Purpose-Built: We create spaces and programs that respect clients’ individuality and opens access. We strive to meet the individual where they’re at and give them the tools to be successful

Be Resolute: We work with tenacity to identify problems, seek out solutions, and get things done. Even small steps forward are acts of resilience.

SUMMARY

The Career Services Manager is responsible for the overall daily operations of our employment program and staff. The Manager oversees goals of client employment & self-sufficiency adhering to grant, funder, and agency guidelines; identifies gaps in overall employment programming; and identifies and pursues new partnerships, employment opportunities, grants and programs that will assist in the success and expansion of Career Services program.

JFS seeks a manager with the skills and experience to expand its career services program beyond its traditional focus on refugee and immigrant job placements to serve a broader population. The ideal candidate will bring experience in workforce development or career services for diverse populations and will use innovative models to grow the program. This role will balance strategic development and growth with compliance responsibilities, supporting career services programs in Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Program growth and development will be the focus of 50% of the manager’s time. The manager will work with agency leadership to identify new revenue opportunities and diversify the program’s services and client base.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

A representative summary of tasks to be performed is provided below . The employee may be asked to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically stated in this description. The duties and responsibilities of the position are to be carried out in a manner that is consistent with the mission, values, and operating principles of Jewish Family Service.

Program Development and Growth

• Recommend and investigate opportunities for program growth including the expansion of fee-based programming and new funding streams.
• Make recommendations for training programs based on employer forums and collaborate with training partners to develop.
• Assist in developing and writing grant proposals when possible, to meet agency and department needs.
• Create and conduct relevant workshops to empower clients.
• Work with leadership to expand access to job training programs

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Oversee Career Services staff (who assess and counsel clients, address barriers to employment, create employment plans, and make referrals when needed).
• Complete coaching cycles and support staff growth
• Work to streamline service delivery within the department and increase teamwork.
• Works in collaboration with the Career Services staff and other departments to assign clients to appropriate service line based on needs and availability/priority of program.
• Attend departmental, partner, and agency meetings as required.

Grant Compliance

• Responsible for ensuring services, case notes, and files are in compliance with federal and state funder guidelines.
• Work with the Director of Community Support to meet reporting deadlines for all contracted services (BRS/OTDA for RSSP, Access VR, MG, and internal progress reports).
• Ensure all payment-based contracts are effectively managed and billed in a timely and regular basis.
• Work to improve outcomes on payment-based contracts to maximize service delivery and goal achievement.

Employer Partnership Development

• Conduct outreach to new employers in partnership with staff through written correspondence, one-on-one meetings, cold calling, group presentations, attendance at outside events
• Create partnerships with employers that will investigate, address, and respond to their hiring needs, incorporating the refugee workforce.
• Create employer forums to discuss hiring trends and employer requirements with local employers
• Establish sustainable relationships with state, county, community and other agencies and companies such as: DSS employment division, Department of Labor, local employment recruiters, etc.
• Develop a customer referral network for potential employers.
• Research employment trends and identify employment paths oriented toward filling existing employment gaps.

QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a related field or combination of education and experience in the refugee, employment, human resources or human services area.
• Background working in career services, workforce development or human resources is highly desirable or experience in an inside or outside sales function, including account management experience.
• 3 plus years of program management and experience in strategic development

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience with providing employment services
• Knowledgeable of the labor market and/or employers in the target area
• Background in career services and workforce development, including assessments and testing.
• Previous supervisory experience is a plus.
• Exhibited ability to effectively work within an inclusive and culturally and linguistically diverse environment.
• Ability to interpret and respond to program and grant guidelines.
• Strong internet research and computer skills, especially with Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and web-based health information systems.
• Valid NYS driver’s license and a vehicle insured to agency requirements.

Competencies:

• Client Focus - Understands and meets customer needs, whether internal or external, providing a high level of service and cooperation, courteousness & sensitivity).
• Sales Ability – Ability to effectively network with others and influence them to change position and/or to convince them to hire individuals with criminal convictions.
• Analytical Thinking – Ability to anticipate problems and develop contingency plans to deal with them as well as evaluate and implement alternative courses of action.
• Persistence – Ability to continue a course of action in the face of adversity.

• Relationship Building - Works collegially with others, cooperating in both interpersonal and team relationships; fosters enthusiasm and maintains mutual trust, candor and respect. Manages groups effectively and builds partnerships with others.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Communication - Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Frequency of travel: Routine travel is required for transporting clients and meetings with employers.
• Valid NYS driver’s license and access to reliable transportation sufficient insurance (100/300K) is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Light physical activities and efforts required working in an office environment.
• Refer to attached ADA worksheet.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary of $63,000 - $65,500 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) of 4+ weeks in addition to an agency wide shut down between Christmas and New Year's Day.
• 401k retirement plan with agency contribution of 4%.
• 13+ observed holidays annually.
• Reduced full-time work week of 35 hours and early close on Fridays.