Employment Specialist

Strive International Inc; New York (AK, NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in workforce development is seeking an Employment Specialist to create job opportunities for clients. This role involves mediating between employers and job seekers, enhancing clients' job skills, and supporting their career development. Candidates should have strong communication skills and experience in job development.

Benefits

Health Care Plans

Retirement Plan (401k)

Paid Time Off (PTO & Public Holidays)

Flexible Work Schedules

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years job development experience preferred.
• Proficient in entering data into cloud-based CRM platforms.
• Ability to multitask and coordinate job interviews.

Responsibilities

• Support job development introduction and prepare students for interviews.
• Develop new business to secure employment opportunities.
• Maintain relationships with employers for job placements.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Sales experience

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Salesforce

Apricot

Job description

Description

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

STRIVE is a national leader in workforce development solutions, empowering individuals to discover their best future selves through innovative, evidence-based career training and holistic, lifelong support. STRIVE partners with employers, funders and community organizations to close gaps in workforce needs and help local economies thrive. Founded in East Harlem, NY, in 1984, STRIVE has grown from its roots to now offer programs in locations across the country.

For more than 40 years, STRIVE has been a catalyst for economic change and prosperity in underserved communities. Our tuition-free skills and job readiness training, one-on-one support and lifetime personal coaching prepare students for careers in high-growth industries such as healthcare, construction and logistics. With a proven pathway to possible, 80% of STRIVE students graduate, 76% attain employment and 70% retain employment long-term.

Looking to the future, STRIVE has embarked on an ambitious ten-year growth plan to increase its impact in more locations nationwide, aiming to serve up to 10,000 individuals each year by 2033.

We meet individuals where they are, providing free programs tailored to adults 18+, including those impacted by the justice system. At STRIVE, there is always a path forward.

See why STRIVE has been the pathway to possible for more than 40 years in our 3-minute mission video.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Employment Specialist will support STRIVE in all its programs. The Employment Specialist will possess the ability to create job opportunities in job markets consistent with the skills and abilities of the assigned client caseload. This role will work as a mediator between employers and job seekers to understand the interests and requirements of the job seekers and help them obtain job opportunities.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to help people identify any barriers to employment, enhance their strengths, and improve their job skills. This role will work with clients who need guidance with career development or assistance with functioning in a workplace.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with trainers to schedule and provide the job development introduction, mock interviews, and post mock interview sessions. Prepare students for interviews and make them aware of the employment services they will receive upon graduation.
• Obtain documentation and verbal insight from trainers as to graduates’ aptitudes, abilities, and desires.
• Business Development /Sales: Develop new business to secure employment and/or internship opportunities for graduates.
• Research and develop a thorough understanding of the targeted industries.
• Review open positions with partnering employers to attempt job placement of clients. If no appropriate positions are available, make cold calls and work with other job developers to ensure a placement as soon as possible.
• Develop and maintain successful relationships with employers to seek new career/internship opportunities for students and influence the retention and success of students.
• Pre-screen students for work-ready status in the areas of initial screenings, career assessments, educational testing and other appropriate assessments and place qualified students for employment opportunities with employers.
• Conduct participant follow-up after normal business hours as needed to maintain open dialogue with placed clients.
• Maintain an open line of communication with contacts at STRIVE placement sites, check on new placements, mediate problem situations when they arise, and secure feedback.
• Acquire verification of employment documentation for placed students.
• Document and track all records, including job requirements, job descriptions, job orders, students, company contacts and visits, services and placements, employer site checks, wage information, and miscellaneous activities in STRIVE cloud-based CRM
• Meet monthly career development placement goals and track related activities in STRIVE cloud-based CRM.
• Maintain and document activity, effectively case noting in real time utilizing CRM.
• High level of comfort using and interpreting data reports to guide program service delivery.
• Provide replacement services for students as needed.
• Provide coaching on effective job search techniques.
• Establish relationships with employer HR Dept to secure employer feedback and utilize the information to partner with STRIVE Training team/Instructor to ensure training is effectively supporting students.
• Complete other tasks as assigned or needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s degree required – Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Minimum of two year's job development experience preferred.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficient in entering data into cloud-based CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Apricot, or other comparable platforms
• High level of comfort interacting with and incorporating data reports into service delivery
• Commitment to leveraging data and supporting a data driven culture at STRIVE
• Ability to multitask and coordinate job interviews, job orders, employer meetings, and activities with ease.
• Outstanding communication, public-speaking, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving ability.
• Respect to diversity.
• Ability to inspire and motivate.
• Sales and/or public relations experience a plus.

BENEFITS

STRIVE offers the following benefits:

• Health Care Plans (Medical Plans That Offer Gym Reimbursement Programs, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (PTO & Public Holidays – The Office is Closed The Week of Christmas Through New Year’s Day)
• Paid Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Legal Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Pre-tax Commuter Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
• Summer Fridays
• Financial Literacy Program
• Flexible Work Schedules

Location: In person Monday-Friday in STRIVE’s NYC office out in the field. Some weekends as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee must possess the physical capabilities to perform the following: the ability to carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds, sitting, typing, reaching, handling, talking, hearing, seeing, standing, walking, stooping, and bending. While performing the duties of this classification, the employee works in an office setting where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

STRIVE considers applicants for all positions without regard to race; color; religion; gender; national origin; age; sexual orientation; marital or veteran status; the presence of a medical condition, genetic information or handicap, unrelated to performing the tasks of the job; or any other legally protected status.