Employment Specialist

Job Details Level: Entry Job Location: Madrone Apartments - San Jose, CA 95126 Position Type: Part-Time Education Level: High School Salary Range: $32.20 - $32.20 Commission Travel Percentage: Up to 25% Job Shift: Day Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services Agency Summary Established in 1980, HomeFirst Services is a premier Silicon Valley provider of homelessness services. With 40+ years of experience, we serve more than 6,000 adults, veterans, families, and young adults each year across Santa Clara County and southern San Mateo County. Services Homelessness prevention Emergency and cold‑weather shelters Comprehensive Veterans’ services Rapid Re‑Housing programs Bridge Housing Communities Emergency Interim Housing Affordable permanent housing Permanent Supportive Housing Street‑based outreach Benefits Professional growth opportunities within the organization 100% medical coverage for employees; option to add dependents at shared cost 401(k) match up to 4% 12 observed holidays PTO accrual begins with 120 hours annually and increases with tenure 4 hours of Civic Engagement PTO per year Access to Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) services Pet insurance options available Equal Opportunity Statement HomeFirst Services is a proud Equal Opportunity andAffirmative Action employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. HomeFirst Services participates in E‑Verify as required by law and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. Role Summary The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program aims to end and prevent veteran homelessness in Santa Clara County. The SSVF Employment Specialist supports this goal by offering employment services—resume building, job searching, interview preparation, and more—to veterans. The specialist builds relationships with community employment partners to enhance support for veterans, assesses employment needs at intake and throughout enrollment, helps veterans secure employment, and resolves barriers to employment access. Qualifications Education and Experience Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related human services field. Minimum: 1 year of relevant work experience. Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge US Military Veteran desired but not required. Ability to quickly build trust and rapport. Strong written and oral communication skills. Exceptional listening, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills. Experience with basic office software: MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel. Strong facilitation and mediation skills. Ability to develop and maintain relationships with community partners and outside agencies. Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and adjust priorities. Ability to make quick and sound decisions. Demonstrated ability to develop priorities and meet deadlines. Exceptional organizational skills. Flexibility to prioritize appropriately. Ability to work with diverse socio‑economic and cultural backgrounds. Understanding of PTSD. Understanding of fair housing law and tenants’ rights and responsibilities. Understanding of the needs of the homeless and veterans, and strong adherence to social work ethics. Other Requirements Valid California driver’s license and auto insurance. Ability to be added to HomeFirst Insurance. Reliable personal vehicle. Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. on occasion. Ability to visit clients in the community, including walking upstairs. Qualities The Employment Specialist is passionate about serving others, proactive, and responsive to participant needs. They manage time well, exhibit strong organizational skills, and participate in continuous learning to deepen evidence‑based practice knowledge. They collaborate effectively within the participant services team, uphold HomeFirst values, and work with individuals from varied backgrounds. Duties and Responsibilities Direct Client Contact / Case Management (70%) Research job leads online, in newspapers, and through agencies; share leads with clients. Stay up‑to‑date on job fairs and internet resources. Assist participants in assessing job skills for positions. Teach job‑seeking, application procedures, resume writing, interview preparation, and job‑retention skills. Lead job search and career workshops and presentations. Facilitate employment/hiring events, such as job fairs and on‑site interviews. Develop employment opportunities for veterans through networking and program education for employers. Share resources with the SSVF case management team. Collaborate with case managers and clients to develop employment goals within the individual case management plan; support goal attainment. Meet regularly with participants and case managers at frequency determined by client needs. Help employers develop techniques for supervising veterans and maintain HomeFirst/employer relationships. Provide referrals to community services as needed. Assist with other duties assigned. Service Documentation and Evaluation (20%) Document all activity via HMIS within 3 business days and maintain case files. Communicate regularly with staff and service providers via email, incident reports, and briefings. Use case conferencing and supervision to support work. General (10%) Attend all required meetings and trainings. Assist with other duties assigned. Vaccination Requirement All employees must be vaccinated or have a valid religious or medical exemption effective September 13, 2021. #J-18808-Ljbffr