Description

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Incumbents are responsible for employment services caseload. Employment Specialist is responsible for meeting with clients, assessing employment barriers, managing student job kit and files, teaching/coaching job readiness skills in small group settings, and job development/placement services.

An Employment Specialist is expected to assist homeless job seekers in making permanent connections to living wage work including: assessing job seeker needs; assisting in development of job search tools and skills; providing job readiness training to occupational skills trainees; helping them access employment opportunities; identification of living wage career pathways; benefits counseling; job placement; job retention supports. The Employment Specialist supports the job seeker in identifying and directing their own employment goals.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Interviews, advises, and guides a diverse population of clients to ascertain employability. (Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationship directed toward the goal of competitive employment or services and supports that will lead to competitive employment- LB)
2. Identifies problems/barriers that hinder employability; assists clients in resolving and mitigating barriers to employment by identifying the need for other services and benefits, which may include literacy, computer competencies, ESL courses, high school diploma or equivalency education, or postsecondary education opportunities; as well as referrals for other support services, such as housing, legal, transportation, benefits counseling, childcare, substance abuse counseling, and more. Housing referrals may first be referred in-house through Workforce Development Manager, when appropriate.
3. Analyzes information obtained from interviews, tests, and other sources to develop short- and long-term client goals; develops and implements individual employment plans; ensures client conformance with program rules and regulations, department policies, and employment plans.
4. Communicates with Instructors, Associate Program Managers, and Workforce Development Manager for all workforce programs (CHEFS, Hospitality for All, Adult Education Center, and more) about student barriers, goals, progress towards employment in regular meetings and as needed.
5. Monitors and evaluates client's progress towards employment, and may make phone calls or conduct field visits to investigate clients' progress in various programs designed to assist clients in preparing for and obtaining employment.
6. Conducts sector-specific job readiness training one-on-one and in small groups for ECSs CHEFS and Hospitality for All trainees.
7. Assist clients in obtaining information about their benefits and how they will be impacted by employment
8. Contacts public and private employers in order to develop on-the-job training and/or direct job placement sites for clients.
9. Maintains cooperative relationships with employers, academic and vocational training institutions, and support service and community resource agencies.
10. Identifies and develops appropriate job placement/training opportunities for clients.
11. Provide direct support to client through job placement and job retention
12. Provides light-touch financial coaching and referrals for more intensive financial assistance as available, to mitigate barriers to employment and financial security
13. Teaches job readiness (resume/cover letter writing, interview skills, etc.).
14. Maintains an awareness of local job market and opportunities to assist in providing guidance to clients.
15. May arrange for employment interviews, attend job fairs, conduct special workshops, presentations, group orientations, or perform other training and outreach activities.
16. Maintains client data and case notes in all relevant systems and supports reporting of all relevant data to funders as needed
17. Networks with other local resource employers and service providers to stay current on opportunities and trends
18. Other duties as assigned

ECS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records as consistent with San Francisco's Fair Chance Ordinance.

ECS celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

BA/BS degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Gerontology, Vocational or Career Counseling or in a related human service field, plus two (2) years progressively responsible, full-time, paid experience as a case manager, counselor, or client advocate working with the low-income, homeless, mentally ill or substance abuse populations; or with a high school diploma plus four (4) years experience as above outlined. Experience preferred in pre-employment and placement services or providing career counseling or life skills training to homeless adults.

• Be committed to the mission of Episcopal Community Services.
• Possess a good working knowledge of and a sensitivity to individuals with substance abuse and/or mental health issues.
• Be able to quickly assess and respond to a variety of situations, including medical emergencies, conflict resolution and intervention, and other tenant emergencies. Possess a working knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and be able to implement them.
• Be able to facilitate learning sessions one-one or in small groups.
• Possess a strong knowledge of social services; as well as mental health resources for low-income adults.
• Excellent charting, record-keeping, letter writing as well as verbal communication skills.
• Maintain professional, respectful, honest interactions with participants, staff and outside resources.
• Be able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Operate with cultural humility in a diverse program and staff population.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Must secure finger image screening and annual TB screening. Must be able to meet physical requirements of the position which may include long periods at a desk and/or computer workstation as well as the ability to stand, sit, kneel, reach, bend and lift up to 50 pounds.