Employment Specialist

Westhab, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Westhab, Inc. seeks an Employment Specialist to help participants secure permanent jobs through case management and job readiness training. You will assess needs, develop plans, and connect participants with supportive services and housing staff as needed.

The role emphasizes direct participant interaction, resume development, interview logistics, and ongoing post-employment follow-up to promote long-term retention. Strong communication and organization are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and two years’ experience in casework, or employment and training programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds; motivate participants; and organize/work priorities.
• Computer skills in Word and Excel are required.

Responsibilities

• Identifies, outreaches and recruits eligible participants for the program.
• Conducts assessments of participants’ education, work experience, skills and qualifications.
• Develops Individual Employment Plans for participants.
• Evaluates progress and documents accomplishments.
• Provides intensive employment case management and connects to support services.
• Assists with resume, interview clothing, childcare and transportation needs.
• Facilitates job readiness training and prepares participants for employment transitions.
• Works with job development to match participants to opportunities.
• Provides post-employment services to support retention.
• Maintains records, prepares reports and analyzes program data.

Skills

Communication

Motivation

Organizational skills

Word processing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate degree

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Job description

Under supervision of the Employment Services Coordinator, assists participants in securing permanent employment opportunities through individual employment case management and facilitation of job readiness training.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identifies, outreaches and recruits’ eligible participants for specific program population.
• Conducts a thorough assessment of each participant’s education, work experience, skills, abilities, and qualifications to determine suitability for employment.
• Develops Individual Employment Plans for each program participant, outlining employment related needs/goals.
• Evaluates participant’s progress of planned goals and documents participants’ accomplishments.
• Provides intensive employment case management for each participant and provides linkages to a wide range of specialized and/or support services as needed.
• Work closely with each participant on the development of a resume and other documents required for employment. Assists participants with securing interview clothing, childcare and/or transportation.
• Plans, develops and facilitates pre-requisite training on job search and job readiness techniques to prepare participants for transition into employment.
• Works closely with each participant to identify and resolve problems/barriers that hinder employability. Works directly with the job development team to match participants to suitable employment opportunities.
• Provides post-employment services to program participants to build bridges to long term job retention.
• Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach that may include emails, home visits, phone calls, etc.
• Actively participates in staff and other meetings as required.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records on all program participants; prepares weekly/monthly reports and continuously collects, organizes and analyzes program data.
• Work closely with the Rapid Re-Housing Staff to ensure that qualified residents are accepted into the Housing program and provided with ongoing housing retention services.
• Participate in monthly team case conference meeting or as deemed appropriate
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree and two years’ experience in casework, or employment and training programs, or Associate Degree and four years of relevant work experience. Ability to communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds; ability to identify participant needs and appropriate support services; ability to motivate program participants; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and ability to organize and prioritize work to be performed. Must have computer skills in word and excel.

AGENCY PROFILE & EMPLOYEE EXPECTATIONS:

Westhabis a prominent community development organization, providing housing and supportive services for more than 10,000 of the most vulnerable members of our community each year. We are staffed by an extraordinary group of hard working professionals that are fully committed to our mission -Building Communities. Changing Lives.Working at Westhab is not easy. Our expectations for all staff are high. We believe that the people and the communities that we have the privilege to serve deserve our very best every day. We are a results-driven organization that focuses on empowerment and impact. (EOE)

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA):

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures safe and healthful working conditions to workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.Westhab complies with all applicable OSHA standards, rules and regulations in addition to keeping our workplaces free of serious recognized hazards.