Employment Specialist

Employment SpecialistThe Employment Specialist assists candidates with employment barriers in securing stable employment. The Employment Specialist initiates and maintains ongoing personal contacts with a variety of business and industry representatives and job placement/training agencies to promote participant placement; makes cold calls to potential employers; and provides job placement and retention services.Essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:Meet established job placement and retention goals as contractually required.Connect candidates with sustainable job opportunities and placements, vocational training, job retention support, job development (liaising with employers as appropriate), with focus on employment and income resource connections.Assist with Skills & Jobs readiness cohort designed to enhance career development.Develop an individualized Employment Action Plan (EAP) with each candidate served.Develop resumes, cover letters, and scripts for clients.Identify potential employers and develop employment opportunities for program participants by committing 5-7 hours per week on developing new sites.Contact employers and collect information detailing qualifications and work site requirements to ensure success on the job.Refer qualified applicants to employers and arrange interviews.Transport participants to interviews, job fairs, and other organizations when necessary.Consult with job sites to identify and modify barriers, negotiate job carving, analyze sites and other job accommodations.Provide extra needed assistance and understanding of performance expectations and compensation for clients/participants.Be a liaison between employers and new employees; providing help to fine tune performance issues and concerns, and coordinate any additional services required.Connect candidates with basic education and vocational training, where appropriate, as well as unsubsidized and subsidized employment opportunities.Maintain relationships with employers, local job resources, and vocational training schools, to ensure effective employment linkage services and access to resources.Maintain up-to-date knowledge of and deep understanding of the three major systems serving jobseekers experiencing homelessness – homeless services, public social services, and workforce development, including the Coordinated Entry System (CES), as well as best practices in homeless services, and regional resources.Prepare documentation, forms and reports related to placement activities; track participant activity and progress data in a timely manner.Attend and participate in team meetings, staff training sessions and all-staff meetings as scheduled.Work collaboratively with internal USHS teams to support program and organizational goals.Keep calendar updated with events and activities; share calendar with ManagerDocument services provided and complete accurate data entry into the appropriate record-keeping database.Provide trauma informed services that align with Housing First and Harm Reduction philosophies, are in accordance with agency and funder expectations, and abide by legal and ethical standards.Other duties as assigned by Director, Workforce Development.Physical and mental requirements and work environment:Work indoors in a temperature-controlled environment with occasional exposure to outdoor weather and driving conditions. Stand and sit for long periods of time; move and walk to various locations; climb, stoop, kneel, reach, pull, push, bend, twist, and occasionally lift and or move objects.See, hear and speak clearly in order to give and receive information and instructions.Complex reading and writing skills, memorization skills, analytical / perceptive comprehensive capabilities.Good judgment and decision-making capability.Ability to interact effectively with other employees, clients, customers, and members of the public.Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage time to meet deadlines and perform duties under time constraints.Ability to adapt to changing work demands.Ability to perform arithmetic functions, and gather, analyze, synthesize, and classify information.Requires use of computers for long periods of time.Travel to off-site locations.Detailed oriented and organized.Ability to work in an 'open address' environmentKnowledge, skills and abilities:Understanding of basic business operations and hiring processes.Strong knowledge of job search resources, including Internet and other media.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Good public speaking skills; ability to make effective presentations to clients, businesses, and community partners.Knowledge and experience in community and economic development, working in the social services field and/or job development industry.Knowledge of best-practices in both employment services and serving people experiencing homelessness.Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people and organizations.Current California driver's license and access to a vehicle with proof of insurance.Knowledge of the homeless population, substance abuse and mental health preferred.Education, training and experience:Minimum qualifications:Option I: Minimum of one year of experience providing direct employment support services for low income, disabled, homeless and/or other underserved populations, including but not limited to conducting initial interviews to determine client employment goals, barriers and skills; helping clients identify suitable career paths; providing individual coaching and job search assistance; coordinating referrals; and/or maintaining case follow-up.Option II: One year of experience in human or social services case management required.Option III: Successful demonstration of required skills through current or past USHS employment may be considered in lieu of the standard required years of experience.Desirable:BA degree in a related field strongly preferredUnion Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer