What are the responsibilities and job description for the Employment Specialist (HWH) position at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson?
Are you passionate about making a difference in others' lives? Then come join the Straight and Narrow team!
Headquartered in Paterson, NJ, Straight and Narrow is the largest program of its kind. We provide innovative and compassionate services to individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring disorders. We are looking for dedicated, caring and compassionate people to work in our Residential/Outpatient Treatment Facilities and Community Programs.
Employment Specialist/ Case Management - Men's Residential Program
Schedule per week: Monday - Friday 9:30am – 5:30pm
Location: Paterson and Passaic NJ
Job Specific Responsibilities and Duties
- Provide one on one counseling to assist clients in the achievement of their employment, vocational, and/or educational goals as identified through the Client Service Planning and Coordination process
- Assist clients with such matters as job readiness skills, job strategies, writing resumes and preparing for job interviews though Resources and Information Job Search workshops
- Administer standardized assessments to determine clients’ interests, aptitudes and abilities
- Collect labor market information for clients regarding job openings, entry and skill requirements and other occupational information
- Assist clients in determining employment support needs
- Conduct outreach to clients and employers and the community to promote program services
- Make phone calls to potential employers explaining the benefits and employment support services provided to employers, including addressing employer’s special needs
- Provide direct job matching of current openings to the clients. Offer qualified job candidates the opportunity to interview for posted jobs. May check with the candidate of the employer to assess quality and success of the referral
- Provide local job market information-what companies are in the area, what skills, and experience local area employers prefer and require, what is the usual means of entry into those companies, advice clients on how best to apply
- Assist clients in the use of resources and technology for job search activities
- Liaise with job development services, facilitation team, information and resource team, and other social employment and community agencies on mutual clients as needed to facilitate clients’ progress
- Conduct group facilitation focused on mock interviews, providing coaching on interviewing techniques, workplace etiquette, time management, budgeting, and financial literacy.
- Facilitate job search activities including the facilitation of client participation in career fairs, school fairs, etc.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and collaborate with the clinical and residential teams to ensure employment goals align with recovery plans.
- Assist in addressing employment-related barriers such as legal issues, transportation needs, obtaining documentation for employment such as ID cards, certifications, etc.
- Conduct biweekly job site visits to assess client performance, identify strengths and barriers, and collaborate with employers to develop strategies that support client success and retention.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in social sciences or social work and/or Diploma in Social Services or Career and Work Counseling or equivalent work experience, teaching experience. Solid knowledge or New Jersey labor market, New Jersey workplace practices, job search strategies and techniques. Familiar with return-to work strategies, life skills, employment training and counseling. Superior oral and written communication skills, excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Must be proficient in MS Office Applications, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Internet.
Benefits
For full time positions, we offer medical, vision, dental, life and supplemental life insurance. Accidental and Critical Illness Insurance, 403B with employer match, Paid Time off (PTO), in house training seminars, two training days for certified professionals. SN also offers supervision for those individuals trying to become licensed in NJ as a LCADC/CADC, LSW, LCSW, LAC, LPC and LMFT. We participate in employee discount programs such as the Working Advantage program.
