Career Services Specialist

Career Services Specialist

The Career Services Specialist (CSS) supports transitional age youth (TAY) in achieving long-term housing stability through income development, with a focus on trade programs, employment readiness, and job placement. Working under the direction of the Trade School Program Director, this role carries an intensive caseload and collaborates closely with Care Coordinators to ensure youth are progressing toward sustainable income. This position operates within a phased service model. After youth are stabilized in Phase 1, they transition into a focus on employment and income development (Phase 2). The CSS leads this phase with a strong emphasis on engagement in the Padres 5 Tool Trade Academy, aligning youth interests with career pathways, and supporting enrollment, participation, and successful program completion. This role is also responsible for building and maintaining strong partnerships and consistent relationships that increase youth participation, program completion rates, and ultimately support youth in achieving independent living with minimal ongoing assistance.

Job Duties:

• Engage youth in meaningful conversations around career pathways, with a focus on trades opportunities
• Motivate and support youth in enrolling in trade programs or workforce pathways aligned with their goals
• Conduct individualized assessments focusing on interests, strengths, barriers, work history, and trade career goals
• Develop and maintain Employment Plans with measurable goals and timelines
• Support rapid movement toward employment or trade school enrollment without requiring "readiness" or symptom stabilization.
• Provide 1:1 coaching on resumes, interviews, professionalism, and job search strategies
• Deliver group workshops for employment readiness, trade pathways, and soft skills
• Assist with trade school applications, required documentation, and certification preparation
• Build and maintain strong employer partnerships across San Diego's trades and skilled labor sectors (construction, HVAC, electrical, solar, welding, plumbing, healthcare, etc.)
• Meet employers in the field to support relationship management and job carving
• Provide ongoing follow-along support to help youth maintain employment, including job coaching and on-site support as needed
• Identify early signs of disengagement and intervene in coordination with the care team
• Problem solve employment challenges using trauma informed, youth centered approaches
• Track retention milestones (30, 60, 90+ days) and help youth progress toward long-term stability
• Meet participants in the field trade schools, worksites, community locations, interviews, job fairs
• Attend community meetings, outreach events, and partner meetings representing Urban Street Angels
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in organizational databases
• Meet reporting requirements for grant contracts and funding partners
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, agency policy, and legal guidelines
• Provide labor market insights, employment updates, and vocational guidance to program staff
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, and required training
• Support cross-team collaboration to ensure youth receive holistic services
• Participate in regular case conferencing and collaborate closely with staff to ensure youth are actively progressing through each phase of the program model and receiving coordinated support toward housing stability, income development, and independent living goals

Qualifications:

• Minimum (1) year experience in employment services, job development, job coaching, or supported employment
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or chronic medical conditions
• Demonstrated knowledge of Housing First, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing principles
• Strong knowledge of local job resources, homelessness systems, public benefits, and community resources
• Ability to work effectively with individuals experiencing complex medical, behavioral health, and housing challenges
• Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• Reliable transportation, valid California Driver's License, and proof of automobile insurance
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs and work in varied indoor/outdoor settings
• Must submit to a background check via Live Scan (with ongoing alerts), as required by specific programs, funding requirements and licensing regulations
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S
• Negative TB test (within required timeframe)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Administration, Psychology, or a related field preferred
• Two (2) or more years of experience in employment navigation, homeless services, or case management
• Knowledge of San Diego County employment and community resources
• Experience supporting individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic medical conditions, or justice system involvement
• Experience assisting participants with Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, SSI/SSDI, or other public benefits.
• Training in Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Harm Reduction, Crisis Intervention, De-Escalation, Suicide Prevention, or Domestic Violence
• Experience using electronic case management systems such as Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), HMIS, or related databases
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred

Benefits:

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life

Ancillary offerings

401k

It is the policy of Urban Street Angels, Inc. to ensure equal employment, contractor and volunteer opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic.