Employment Specialist

Community Housing Advocates

An Affiliate of Mercy Housing & Shelter Corp. and My Sisters’ Place

Job Title: Employment Specialist

Department: Permanent Supportive Housing

Reports To: Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

PHI Access Code Level 2

POSITION SUMMARY

The Employment Specialist supports the clients within the Supportive Housing Department to obtain meaningful employment. This is done through a variety of ways: planning and facilitating group training related to employability, developing, and maintaining relationships with local employers, supporting clients in job search and interview processes, etc. The Employment Specialist helps clients develop employment plans and carefully tracks progress along the way.

SCHEDULED WORK TIMES

Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM typically with some evenings or weekends possible

JOB DUTIES

• Organize and facilitate client groups on topics relating to employment.

• SOAR – training and implementation of services
• Travel and network in the community to strengthen relationships with potential employers as well as other organizations offering employment or educational training.

• Assess and develop client employment plans with measurable outcomes.
• Teach clients to find and use online employment resources such as job search websites.
• Help clients develop resumes, cover letters, and interview skills, and address any hygiene or social issues that may be posing a challenge to successful employment.
• Maintain positive relationships with potential employers.

• Maintain records tracking client employment data, such as interviews attended, jobs obtained, jobs lost, etc.
• Follow up regularly with clients regarding their employment status.
• Transport clients to job interviews as needed.
• Coordinating on-site job fairs with other agency staff.
• Perform any other task that will assist the agency in carrying out its mission.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of each Mercy Housing and Shelter employee to:

• Treat all clients with dignity and respect, prioritize client needs, and advocate for the people we serve.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information.
• Promote the human dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of clients served.
• Professionally and ethically handle agency and client money/property.
• Fulfill all responsibilities as a mandatory reporter.
• Display a positive attitude towards clients, programs, and the agency.
• Demonstrate good communication with clients, supervisors, peers, outside resources, and family/guardians.
• Demonstrate good attendance.
• Punctually attend all assigned meetings, in-services, and training.
• Demonstrate involvement as a team member.
• Adhere to all applicable regulations, laws, and policies/procedures and know and understand your job description.
• Submit paperwork and meet job responsibility deadlines as assigned.

Skills:

Ability to plan, organize and prioritize workflow, excellent written and oral communication skills, provide client job readiness assessments, maintain external relationships with employers, good listening skills, computer literacy, people skills, ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and or service providers or professionals, valid driver’s license, and a car. Required to complete SOARS training.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in social service field (administration, psychology, human resources, or labor/industry relations) from an accredited university. May consider work experience in lieu of educational requirements.

Licenses and Certifications

Must have a valid Connecticut driver’s license and clean driving record with proof of automobile insurance.

Compensation & Benefit

$20-$22 per hour, based on experience

Community Housing Advocates provides a generous employee benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, short- and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement. Full-time employees receive PTO (paid time off) per year, plus 12 paid holidays.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands associated with the essential functions of this job are intermittent physical activity, such as walking, sitting and occasional lifting, stooping, bending, and reaching.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

CHA, My Sisters’ Place and Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.