Employment Specialist

Description

Our History

In 1879, Father Bernard Donnelly established Mount St. Bernard’s Orphanage in Kansas City. With that one act of faith, hope and charity, many lives — and a community — were transformed.

And, from that humble beginning a strong tradition of compassionate care and social service took root, thrived, and grew to become Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Catholic Charities empowers at risk people to create a pathway out of poverty by alleviating their immediate crises to create stability; then providing robust support to lift them to dignity and self-reliance.

Today, millions of lives have been transformed, in the communities we serve. We have office locations in the Kansas City metro-area, St. Joseph, Missouri, a Food Pantry in Kansas City and another in Cameron, Missouri, while serving a 27-county region. 

Our Culture/Mission Characteristics

While performing job duties, staff will:

• Follow the Catholic Social and Moral Teachings in all aspects while performing job duties and will not advocate for things that are in opposition with the Catholic faith, beliefs, and Catholic Social and Moral Teachings.
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and resolve conflicts to achieve the greater good.
• Respect for the diversity of talents and gifts of others and believe in cultivating those to promote personal and professional development.
• Demonstrate compassion and commitment for helping others improve their lives.
• Follow the Agency values: Faith/Hope, Trust, Commitment, Collaboration.

Position Objective

Provide employment assistance to individuals and families to achieve economic stability and security.

Essential Duties 

• Conduct and provide employment preparation training, including resume building, interviewing skills, interview etiquette, etc. to agency clients, in the form of a group setting as well as individually. 
• Conduct and provide job retention training on topics such as conflict-resolution, decision-making and problem-solving in the form of a group setting as well as individually.
• Assist with identifying the client’s career strengths and employment or educational potential.
• Document activities per program policies and as directed by supervisor; maintain client forms as indicated.
• Provide financial assistance in accordance with program policy and procedures; maintain accurate records of financial and other assistance provided to participants in the participant/client file, and in other appropriate data bases as indicated.
• Follow all policies and procedures regarding the agency including confidentiality.
• Maintain information and statistics per program guidelines; complete reports as requested and assigned by supervisor.
• Conduct and participate in outreach services to potential employers and employment agencies as needed and requested by supervisor.
• Attend agency and community meetings as requested; maintain working relationships with community agencies, including employers, employment agencies, probation and parole staff, provide comprehensive services to clients and to stay abreast of current trends and available resources. 
• Attend in-service training including internal and external conferences/workshops as required, requested, and approved by supervisor.
• In all community activities, represent the agency’s mission, purpose, and philosophy to the community.
• Provide guidance and support to community volunteers working within the program. 
• Perform other activities as needed and requested by supervisor with the goal of attaining and maintaining efficient program operations.
• Provide client advocacy services as needed.
• Provide information and referral services to internal and external resources.
• Treat all internal and external customers with respect and exhibit positive behavior in dealing with clients, participants, co-workers, supervisors, volunteers and interns, partners, collaborators, and the general public.
• Work together with other staff to be a change agent so that the client/participant will be a productive, successful citizen.
• Perform other activities as needed and requested by supervisor with the goal of providing excellent quality of services for the clients/participants, the agency, and community.
• Must be able to flex work schedule to include providing services to clients on some evenings and weekends.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, criminal justice, or a related field from an accredited school and program. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bilingual in Spanish and English is preferred.
• Must demonstrate excellent verbal and written skills.
• Must be able to speak with confidence while public speaking.
• Knowledge of computers and software programs.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications. 
• Ability to interact positively with grantee, referral sources, other agencies, and community partners.
• Ability to work with diverse populations including those with a criminal record in a nonjudgmental manner.
• Must be able to handle multiple demands and priorities and have excellent time management skills.

I understand that as an employee of Catholic Charities I am expected to perform my job duties in alignment with the following:

• Follow the Catholic Social and Moral Teachings in all aspects while performing job duties and will not advocate for things that are in opposition with the Catholic faith, beliefs, and Catholic Social and Moral Teachings.
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and resolve conflicts to achieve the greater good.
• Respect for the diversity of talents and gifts of others and believe in cultivating those to promote personal and professional development.
• Demonstrate compassion and commitment for helping others improve their lives.
• Follow the Agency values: Faith/Hope, Trust, Commitment, Collaboration.