Employment Specialist

Job Title

Responsible for client employment services. Work with area employers to ensure Virginia CARES clients find self-sustaining employment.

Organizational Relationships:

• Supervised by: HRCAP/VA Cares Case Manager
• Supervises: None

Responsibilities:

• Establishes contacts with prospective new employers.
• Maintains contact with existing employers.
• Facilitates employment relationship between employers and participants.
• Assists participants enrolled in program to seek and/or obtain suitable employment.
• Develops relationships with temporary employers and/or temporary employment agencies, when applicable.
• Strives to meet program placement goals.
• Meets with employers to market Virginia CARES, develops ongoing relationships, and develops job placement opportunities for participants.
• Forms working relationships with community employment services and resources, including Virginia Employment Commission, Disability Rehabilitative Services of Virginia, local Chambers of Commerce and the Virginia Workforce Investment Board.
• Conducts employment group sessions and classes.
• Recruits community volunteers to participate in job readiness workshops.
• Counsels participants on career planning and administers career study/aptitude tests to determine client interests and skill level.
• Counsels participants on job seeking skills.
• Maintains an ongoing list of employers and job openings sharing the same with participants.
• Posts job openings in CARES office.
• Assists participants with employment needs, supplying clothing and accessing assistive technology resources when applicable.
• Assists participants in obtaining appropriate employment documents.
• Assists participants with approved transportation requirements.
• Conducts employment follow-ups in a timely manner.
• Maintains complete participant files.
• Inputs required employment information in CARES data system at baseline, six months during program participation, and six months post-graduation.
• Prepares required monthly report and submits in a timely manner.
• Attends trainings and meetings as required by Virginia CARES.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of employer's policy and procedures preferred.
• Working knowledge of state employment regulations and human resource policies preferred.
• Experience with offenders and ex-offenders helpful.
• Must be computer literate.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office required.
• Knowledge of computer data entry required.
• Excellent organizational skills and leadership ability.
• Good written and oral communication skills a must.
• Ability to communicate with various racial and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to instruct adults in job seeking and retention skills, including resume writing and conflict resolution.

Training, Education and Experience:

• Graduation from a four-year college or have related experience.
• Experience with human services or offender/ex-offender programs preferred.
• Training and experience in employment services preferred.
• Training and experience in facilitating groups preferred.

Special Requirements:

• Reliable transportation and a valid Virginia Operator's license with a good driving record for insurance purposes.
• Able and willing to travel extensively.