Career Specialist (Part-time)

Met Council; New York (NY); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a compassionate Career Specialist to join their team at the Chesed Center. In this part-time role, you will work directly with clients from diverse backgrounds, helping them navigate their career paths and access essential resources. Your responsibilities will include assessing client needs, formulating career plans, and providing referrals to community resources. The organization is dedicated to serving those in need, making this an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about making a difference. If you possess strong communication skills and a commitment to cultural sensitivity, this role could be a perfect fit for you!

Benefits

Pre-tax commuter benefits

403(b) retirement plan

Pro-rated vacation

Sick leave

Holidays

Qualifications

• Knowledge of career resources and government entitlements.
• Experience in social services or career work preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess client needs and formulate individualized career plans.
• Conduct registrations and provide referrals to community resources.
• Maintain ongoing contact logs and manage a caseload of clients.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Public speaking

Crisis management

Cultural sensitivity

Time management

Empathy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field

Social services/career work experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Hours Per Week: 15-20/Part-time

Met Council is America’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving the needy. We fight poverty through comprehensive social services and by treating each client with compassion, integrity, and respect. Our programs help over 325,000 clients each year and advocate on behalf of all needy New Yorkers.

Position Summary:

The role of the Career Specialist at the Chesed Center is to work effectively with clients of all backgrounds impacted by poverty. This includes answering phone calls, meeting with and assessing clients for career services, registering clients for courses, following up with them, and referring to appropriate outside career resources where needed.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Assess client needs.
• Answer Chesed Center calls and formulate individualized career plans with each client.
• Conduct in-person and remote client registrations and input information into EMR.
• Obtain appropriate documentation.
• Provide information and referrals to clients regarding resources in the community when needed.
• Do regular follow-ups with clients and collaterals to ensure appropriate and effective referrals.
• Mentor clients on the operation of Windows PCs, MS Office, and other related computer software.
• Recognize and adhere to professional roles and boundaries, able to assess client’s capacity to carry out mutually decided upon, realistic career goals.
• Maintain ongoing contact log notes and related documentation.
• Work effectively with partner agencies including legal services.
• Attend trainings and seminars regarding topics related to Chesed Center work.
• Represent agency in meetings as needed.
• Participate in community events and distributions as needed.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity to all clients.
• Comply with demands of funding grant and assist in preparing grant reports.
• Participate in individual supervision, weekly group meetings, and monthly Social Service Department meetings.
• Work collaboratively with the Chesed Center team and cover when staff is out, as needed.
• Manage a caseload of clients.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Strong communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of the insular Jewish communities in Brooklyn.
• Strong knowledge of career and education and other available resources and referrals.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills and the capability to multi-task.
• Ability to perform public speaking.
• Ability to assess the safety of clients and create safety plans as needed.
• Capable of serving persons under stress while still providing an empathic response.
• Make timely, informed decisions that take into account fact goal constraints.
• Manage own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals.
• Use Social Work ethics to support client and system needs.
• Ability to work within a fast-paced work environment and make appropriate decisions.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Able to easily adapt to changes and flexibility in schedule.
• Superior interpersonal skills.

Skill and Education:

• Knowledge of career resources and government entitlements and resources.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field (preferred).
• Social services/career work experience.
• Excellent computer literacy and word processing skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Language Skills:

• Fluent in Yiddish or Hebrew.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to function effectively within a crisis environment and make appropriate and safe decisions.

Work Environment:

• Must be able to work in a busy environment with a sensitive population.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity especially to insular, immigrant, and minority groups.

Special Requirements:

This position is based at a Brooklyn satellite office with occasional meetings/training at the main location in Manhattan. Client home visits and participating in outdoor events in Brooklyn may be required on occasion.

Compensation: $24 to $30 per hour.

Benefits: Pre-tax commuter benefits; 403(b); plus pro-rated vacation, sick leave, and holidays.