Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist (Career Academy)

Goodwill Houston (GWH) is leading change, connecting people, and improving the potential for the future of work. We educate, train, and hire individuals with barriers to employment to help them thrive. We connect people, families, and communities to improve lives and meet the workforce needs of today and tomorrow. Powered, in part, by donations and retail customers, we change lives through the power of work.

Assists a diverse pool of program participants with their career planning, and career decision-making process, including intensive career counseling, assessment, enrollment into career pathways, and job search assistance and retention services. Advises on labor market trends and guides participants related to career pathway training/re-training needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for assuring that Workforce Development (WFD) is in compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Provides intensive, comprehensive employment case management and career planning services to participants enrolled in the program and Career Connections.
• Maintains a rolling caseload per program requirements.
• Review assessments of participants' employment and training needs, individualized employment plans, etc. to guide job training plans and potential co-enrollment into other GWH programs.
• Monitors and evaluates participant progress through an individualized employment plan, provides guidance and coaching to help resolve issues and remains motivated to obtain/maintain credentials and employment.
• Maintains relationships with partnering agencies and makes appropriate referrals to those agencies that will assist participants with supportive services, which are designed to help mitigate barriers and enhance employability.
• Works with Career Connection team members to prepare job seekers for employment, including resume preparation, interviewing skills, and workplace etiquette.
• Conducts employment readiness workshops and provides one-on-one job coaching.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date data entry for billing purposes.
• Ensures that participants understand and conform to program policies and expectations.
• Provides job development assistance by working with Career Connection Team Members and matching participants to appropriate jobs.
• Place participants in industry-related employment, providing ongoing follow-ups for retention records.
• Support participants with maintaining employment, including providing resources for job sustainability.
• Maintain real-time data entry, electronic and hard copy confidential files, and input necessary information into CaseWorthy (data management system), including progress reports, case notes, and completion and retention documentation.
• Travel to multiple locations as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate professionalism and good judgment and present a friendly, cooperative attitude.
• Ability to multi-task, make quick decisions, adapt to change, and work in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
• Adheres to all GWH Policies & Procedures, Loss Prevention & Safety Regulations, and GWH Guiding Principles.
• Must be punctual and have dependable attendance and maintain an appropriate appearance.
• Must conduct work in a safe manner; maintain good housekeeping standards, have all aisles and pathways to fire exits clear and free from clutter.
• Adheres to local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree is preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of workforce development, career services and/or human services experience.
• Excellent computer skills (proficient in Microsoft Office).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Understand individual Employment Plans, case management, and career service activities.
• Ability to supervise multiple specialized programs and the Team Members working under those programs.
• Ability to communicate and interact well with a variety of personality types.
• Ability to analyze opportunities and problems, identify and evaluate alternatives, and develop effective approaches to address any issues.
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate the achievement goals, objectives, and work plans.
• Must have reliable transportation.

Key Performance Indicators (KPI):

1. Meet or exceed all portfolio programs' outputs, outcomes, and goals for the (calendar/fiscal) year.
2. Ensure data utilization and accuracy of 90% or higher by conducting regular audits of CaseWorthy reporting.
3. Ensure enrollments, case notes, and documents are updated within 24 hours of services or information received.
4. Prepare weekly KPIs and monthly status reports.
5. Ensure all data reports, funding applications, and administrative documents are reviewed prior to submission for director approval.
6. Execute WFD projects as assigned.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

• Ability to sit, stand, bend, and reach.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, up to, 25 lbs.