Employment Specialist

Deaf, Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency; Concord (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision

Life Insurance

Holidays

Sick Leave

Vacation

Wellbeing Hour

Job summary

DCARA Employment Specialist role is to empower Deaf job seekers by providing resources and tools in partnership with EDD. This position prioritizes securing employment, improving job readiness, and fostering career growth in collaboration with the Bay Area Deaf community.

The role requires three mandatory in-office days per week in Concord, direct client services, employer relations, and robust case management using CalJOBS and Salesforce to track progress and reports.

Qualifications

• AA degree or equivalent experience.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in job placement, vocational rehabilitation, or related field.
• Proficient in American Sign Language (ASL) and knowledgeable about Deaf culture.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Effective communication skills with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one Job Search Skills Training (JSST).
• Actively recruit prospective clients through outreach methods like fliers, vlogs, and brochures.
• Determine client eligibility and assist with enrollment using CalJOBS and Salesforce.
• Translate written documents into ASL, including hiring documents and state benefits information.
• Assist clients with career exploration tools and provide resumé-building resources.
• Conduct mock interviews and job readiness sessions.
• Support clients with job referrals, placement, and document translations.
• Organize and update case files using Salesforce and CalJOBS.
• Submit monthly reports to EDD and maintain statistical data.
• Provide public workshops on employment awareness and self-advocacy.

Skills

ASL proficiency

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Independence

Team collaboration

Education

AA degree or equivalent experience

BA degree preferred

Tools

CalJOBS

Salesforce

Job description

Job Summary

The Employment Specialist collaborates with DCARA’s mission to empower Deaf* job seekers by providing resources and tools in partnership with the Employment Development Department (EDD). This role focuses on supporting clients in securing and maintaining employment, enhancing job readiness, and fostering opportunities for career growth.

Essential Job Functions

Direct Client Services

• Minimum of three days per-week on-site presence required
• Provide one-on-one Job Search Skills Training (JSST) for increased job hire potential.
• Actively recruit prospective clients through outreach methods like fliers, vlogs, and brochures.
• Determine client eligibility and assist with enrollment using CalJOBS and Salesforce.
• Translate written documents into ASL, including hiring documents and state benefits information.
• Assist clients with career exploration tools and provide resumé-building resources.
• Conduct mock interviews and job readiness sessions.
• Support clients with job referrals, placement, and document translations.

Job Retention Services

• Conduct quarterly follow-ups with employed clients to ensure job retention.
• Refer clients with job retention challenges to Advocacy Services.
• Assist clients with job-related communication needs and emergencies.

Employer Relations

• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with employers.
• Educate employers on the employability of Deaf* clients.

Documentation Duties

• Organize and update case files using Salesforce and CalJOBS.
• Submit monthly reports to EDD and maintain statistical data.

Workshops & Training

• Provide public workshops on employment awareness and job seekers’ self-advocacy.
• Conduct presentations and training sessions on employment topics.

Other Job Functions

• Provide services under DCARA’s Deaf Support Services (DSS).
• Promote Deaf at Work employment-related awareness workshops to the public twice a year.
• Provide training on self-advocacy, reasonable accommodations, and interpreting services to job seekers and employers.
• Act as a liaison between the employment industry and DCARA.
• Assist with organizing and presenting employment workshops for clients, both in-person and virtually.
• Schedule interpreters and communication assistance as needed.
• Travel to client appointments and external meetings as required.
• Support the agency and community with other duties as assigned by the Deputy Director.

Required Education and Experience

• AA degree or equivalent experience.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in job placement, vocational rehabilitation, or related field.
• Proficient in American Sign Language (ASL) and knowledgeable about Deaf* culture.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Effective communication skills with diverse populations.

Desired Education and Experience

• BA degree preferred.
• Knowledge of social justice issues affecting the Deaf* community.
• Cultural competence working within the Deaf* community.

Benefits

• Employee Full Coverage: Health, Dental and Vision Plans
  • Optional to add members at competitive rates
• Life Insurance
• Paid Benefits
  • Twelve (12) Holidays
  • Generous Sick Leave
  • Competitive Vacation Package
  • Weekly Wellbeing Hour

Work Location Requirement

This is a primarily in-person position. Must be based within commuting distance of Concord for three mandatory in-office days per week. Remote work is only permitted when approved for specific situations and is not a standard benefit. Applicants must live within the Bay Area and be available to meet with clients on short notice. This is a client-facing role requiring regular on-site presence.

Our Workplace Culture

Our workplace culture is a fun, challenging, and caring working environment where you can grow your career. We work together by being inclusive to everyone - including ideas, of people, of points of view. Individually, we are experts at what we do. Collectively, our impact is even greater. You’ll find some of the best and most satisfied staff working for the agency. At DCARA, you will be able to use your experiences, abilities, creativity, and energy to work and discover the talents within yourself as you enrich the lives of Deaf* (Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf with disabilities, hard of hearing, and late-deafened) community members.

Living in the Bay Area

DCARA is located in the beautiful Bay Area / North Coastal of California, known for its large Deaf* community, warm climate, highly educated communities, historic buildings, and an exciting array of activities for everyone, including cultural events, professional sports, trips up and down the Pacific coastline, wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma Valley, hiking around Redwood Giants, and many other community activities. You will also live near many of the world’s Global companies (Google, Apple, Facebook, for example) which are located in the Bay Area. There is no better place to live than California as the world’s fifth largest economy!

Equal Employment Opportunity

DCARA is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. DCARA is an at-will employer and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, including Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf with disabilities, hard of hearing, and late deafened people. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Join us in empowering Deaf* communities! Be a leader, an advocate, and a champion for change at DCARA.