Workforce Development Specialist

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Successfully promote and support the mission of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas as guided by the Catholic Social Teachings by providing wrap-around case management, career coaching services to individuals in need through the Workforce Development program. This position will be a collaborative member of the Workforce Development team whose purpose is to strengthen individuals and families through a holistic approach to education and employment. The major components of this role include providing comprehensive employment and career coaching, intensive case management and facilitation of our workforce suite of services including job readiness and soft skills classes.  This position will also serve referrals from Johnson county and the surrounding area that Catholic Charities of NE Kansas serves. EEO. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serve by recruiting and receiving referrals for Workforce Development Program participants from internal programs and external partners, assessing eligibility and compatibility with programming
• Assess participant needs and provide consultation, support, direct financial assistance, information and make appropriate referrals to internal and external resources
• Develop career plan for each employable adult that identifies strengths, skills and barriers and identify steps to overcome barriers for employment goals
• Participate in highly collaborative, client-driven relationship in which choices and consequences are identified and self-sufficiency plans are developed and monitored on a frequent basis through regular contact with clients 
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers, vocational training providers, and other relevant community partners and resources and keep internal job boards and databases current 
• Prepare and deliver presentations and information sessions representing the Workforce Development program to promote its programming and educate partners, potential participants and other stakeholders
• Coordinate and facilitate job placements as well as job readiness workshops using established curriculum
• Keep detailed records, track data and report all activities in a timely manner for internal and grant reporting and program monitoring and evaluation purposes
• Train, educate and coordinate staff, volunteers and interns in Workforce Development-related policies, procedures and practices
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENTS: 

· Demonstrate a passion for the mission of Catholic Charities

· Must be willing to live by the agency’s values, where we are required to show love, patience, kindness, faithfulness, self-control and joy

· Employees of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas are a visible representation of the Archdiocesan Church and as such will not publicly oppose the teachings of the Catholic faith nor publicly advocate for any position in conflict with Catholic teaching, or the specific positions of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This requirement includes any public speech, demonstration, or writing including the use of social media or other digital technologies

· Must complete VIRTUS training, background screening, drug testing, and any ongoing trainings as required

· Bachelor’s Degree in social work, workforce development, human services, or comparable experience desired

· Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate and respect people from a variety of social, economic and ethnic backgrounds required

· Experience in providing case management services and managing own caseload and the ability to maintain appropriate social work ethics required

· Must have proficient oral and written English skills

· Must be reliable, punctual, professional, and able to work independently, follow instructions and handle emergency situations

· Must have a high level of organizational skills, pay close attention to detail and experience managing data in programs such as Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel), Google Docs

· Ability to interact effectively with outside agencies and advocate on behalf of clients in informal and formal settings

· Position will require splitting time between Olathe and Overland Park office locations

· Must have a valid driver’s license and a verified safe driving record as well as reliable means of transportation for local travel to complete client services and regional travel to other CCNEK sites

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

· Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer and standing, bending and moving

· Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds at times

· The ability to complete assignments in all types of weather and ever-changing and sometimes allergenic environments in homes of those we serve, including extreme heat, humidity, dust, smoke, pet contamination, cleaning supplies, etc.

· May be exposed to infectious diseases

· Must have good mobility to make visits to a variety of home environments that may include walking on rough terrain and climbing steep stairs

· Must have good hearing and speech ability to communicate with others