Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist Young Adult Services

Show your passion by empowering youth and families when joining the Wayside team! Wayside is one of Massachusetts' most respected youth and family-serving agencies, supporting more than 6,000 youth and families annually across Central, Eastern, and Northeastern regions. We invest in our employees' wellness with comprehensive benefits, including tuition and training reimbursement, a PTO package with 3 wellness days, 9 paid holidays, and up to 3 weeks of vacation in the first year. Enjoy a learning environment with free training, CEUs, and more, along with exceptional medical benefits, financial health supports, and career development opportunities. Apply today and earn a $2,000.00 sign-on bonus (pro-rated for part-time)!

Wayside Youth and Family Support Network - Young Adult Program is looking for a full time, compassionate and dedicated Employment Specialist to provide support to the young adults served by our program, who wish to explore employment, volunteer, and training options to develop the work skills necessary that will lead to competitive employment. We provide a supportive culture that allows for a balance of personal responsibilities and professional development while contributing to the community.

What You Will Do:

• The Employment Specialist will work as a member of the program team at Twelve Prescott and Merrimack Valley Young Adult Programs. These programs are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for young adults ages 18-25 years old to get assistance as they transition to independent adulthood.
• The Employment Specialist will work with young adults who wish to explore employment, volunteer, and training options to develop the work skills necessary that will lead to competitive employment.
• The Employment Specialist will engage community employers to create opportunities that match the interests and strengths of the young adult job seekers and provide job coaching to assure that the young adult is able to successfully achieve and maintain competitive employment.
• Provide individual and group life skills assessment and education/training for participants.
• Provide employment assistance, career development and apprentice job matching for identified participants. Develop, monitor and evaluate apprenticeship experiences.
• Complete all documentation as required.
• Participate in all weekly and required agency staff meetings, required agency trainings, supervision with Program Director and assigned meetings in the community.
• Ensure compliance with Wayside Youth and Family Support Network policies and procedures.

Competencies/Traits of Our Superstars:

• Interpersonal/communication skills;
• Charismatic;
• Empathic;
• Dedication;
• Reliability;
• Teamwork;
• Self-awareness;
• Good time management skills.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma.
• Previous experience providing employment support and/or training required.
• Experience working in a community-based setting and/or residential setting with youth is preferred.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Bilingual/Bicultural candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

We will train you in: Motivational Interviewing; Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model (ARC); Courageous Conversations; CPR and First Aid training upon hire.