Employment Specialist

Hampton Roads Community Action Program; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health, dental, vision insurance

Birthday leave

HRCAP premium coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Hampton Roads Community Action Program (HRCAP) in Newport News, VA, is seeking an Employment Coach/Counselor to support social work, mobility case management, and employment services. You will act as a subject-matter expert, use the Whole Family Approach, assess needs, coordinate services, and maintain case records across the Service Provider Network.

The role requires cross-training, collaboration with local departments, and regular client interactions to help families achieve self-sufficiency

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, human services, psychology, or closely related field or three-year documented professional experience.
• Experience with program eligibility evaluation in TANF and AMI preferred.
• Must be able to use multiple software systems (Office 365, Adobe, Asana, Zoom, Teams).

Responsibilities

• Establish employer relationships and secure unsubsidized employment.
• Develop work sites for individuals enrolled in HRCAP work experience programs.
• Teach weekly job readiness classes.
• Administer vocational assessments (personality, interests, aptitude, values).
• Screens and matches individuals to opportunities based on skills and interests.
• Coordinate transportation services for meetings and travel training.

Skills

Employment services

TANF knowledge

Data systems

Communication skills

Time management

Team player

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Three to five years social work experience

Tools

Office 365

Adobe

Asana

Zoom/Teams

Job description

Newport News, United States | Posted on 07/29/2026

FUNDING NOTICE: This position is funded by grants and other agency fundsand will require additional responsibilities as directed by the supervisor,department director or COO.Thisposition will be reviewed by March 31 st annually to determinefunding availability in the new fiscal year beginning July 1 st annually.

WORKING SCHEDULE: This position isdesignated as essential and will be required to report to the office duringinclement weather. The coach will be issued a mobile device to manageday, evening, and weekend programming at various agency sites and access to anagency vehicle. This position will also be responsible for attending earlymorning, evening, and weekend events as assigned.

SUMMARY

Performs social work, mobility case management and employment servicesfor individuals and families served by the Hampton Roads Community ActionProgram (HRCAP), a regional Community Action Agency.This position involves serving as a subjectmatter expert, a coach that will utilize the Whole Family Approach model, counselingand assessing the needs of individuals and families, coordinating the provisionof needed services, and maintaining case records (paper and electronic). This positionis responsible for cross-training with other agency programs and services toensure that individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency by providingservices and connecting to various Service Provider Network programs and alllocal Departments of Social Services served by the HRCAP.

DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES AS AN EMPLOYMENT COACH/COUNSELOR

• Establishnew employer relationships and maintain existing relationships with employersto secure unsubsidized employment.
• Developwork sites for individuals enrolled in HRCAP work experience programs.
• Teachweekly job readiness classes.
• Administervarious vocational assessments to include: personality assessments, interestassessments, aptitude and skills assessments, work values assessments andtransferable skills assessments.
• Screensand match individuals with employment opportunities based on skill, workexperience, hobbies, and interests.
• Coordinatetransportation services for individuals attending meetings as requested.
• Providetravel training and appropriate assistance to maximize the safety and mobilityof all customers.

ADDITIONALRESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages intense caseload and coordinates internal andexternal services for assigned families.Assist clients in achieving self-sufficiency; assess needs of householdsand determines appropriate supportive services; meets with clients regularly,assigns clients to activities aligned with individual and household developmentplans.
• Determineseligibility for assistance and benefit levels using EmpowOR Client ManagementSystem.
• Establishesand monitors individual and household development plan goals throughinformation and assessment of client background.
• Explainsnature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reason and needfor assistance.
• Explainsclient responsibilities, rights and program availability.
• Evaluatesemployability status of clients and explores potential Workforce DevelopmentPrograms.
• Processesintake applications for necessary community resources and diversion.
• Coordinatesand participates in out of office visits with family members and otherprofessionals.
• Preparesreferrals for families requiring assistance; collaborates with Service ProviderNetwork and other agencies or professionals as needed.
• Maintainscurrent listing community resources in empowOR.
• Preparesand maintains confidential case records and files; documents all interactionswith clients by entering data into empowOR Client Management System.
• Preparesand completes various forms, reports, correspondence, case records, clientactivity reports, service plans, assessment instruments, needs assessments,purchase orders, invoices, applications, funding reports, charts, or otherdocuments.
• Operatesseveral technology tools (desktop, laptop, tablet, cellphone, hotspot, etc.) toenter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data andmakes corrections.
• UtilizeMS Office, empowOR Client Management System, e-mail, internet, other computerprograms; performs basic maintenance of computer system and office equipment,such as replacing paper, ink, or toner.
• Communicateswith supervisor, employees, other departments, clients, family members,companion aides, Newport News Human Services, government agencies, counselors,medical provides, law enforcement personnel, court personnel, attorneys,schools, Service Provider Network, professional colleagues, the public, andother individuals as needed to coordinate activities, review status ofhousehold plans, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Operatesa motor vehicle to conduct work activities.
• Performsgeneral/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, enteringdata into computer, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes,filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.
• Cross-trainedto support agency operations as directed by the supervisor. May be responsiblefor performing other program duties as the agency receives new programs/grants.
• Performsother related duties as directed by the supervisor.
• Representthe organization in professional, civic, and community groups as requested bythe CEO.

SKILLSREQUIRED

• Knowledgeof employment, vocational development, career development and personaldevelopment programs and techniques.
• Knowledgeof Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and other local resources andcommunity service agencies.
• Helpsestablish performance measures and monitors outputs and outcomes.
• Understandingof data systems, including tracking, reporting, monitoring, customersatisfaction, and evaluation.
• Abilityto work independentély, take initiative and be an effective team member.
• High-levelcommunication and interpersonal skills a must.
• Exceptionaltime management skills with ability to multitask; ability to work well underpressure, prioritize workload, and meet tight deadlines.

SAFETYRESPONSIBILITIES

Complywith all Federal, State and Local regulatory standards and procedures.

Abideby all HRCAP’s Safety Policies, Rules and Regulations; maintain requiredtrainings and certifications for the jobs and equipment to be used; andunderstand the potential safety hazards in the work area.

Ensurethat applicable personal protective equipment is worn, in proper operatingcondition, and used for each job performed.

INFORMATIONPRIVACY AND SECURITY

This position will haveaccess to confidential information and is required to be familiar with the HRCAP’sPrivacy Policy related to the handling of data and using encryption software toensure data is secured at all times.Anydata breaches are to be reported immediately to the Chief Operating Officer.

Requirements

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degreein social work, sociology, human services, psychology, or closely related fieldor three-year documented professional experience.
• Experience inhuman resources, community services, VEC workforce services and/or trainingprograms.
• Three to five years’experience in social work and demonstrated experience with case management oflow-income individuals and families.
• At least sixmonths of documented experience with program eligibility evaluation anddetermination. TANF and AMI experience preferred.
• Ability to usemultiple software systems to include but not limited to: Office 365, Adobe,Asana, Zoom, Teams.
• Must possess andmaintain a valid Virginia driver’s license with applicable insurance to beprovided when renewal occurs.
• Criminal recordcheck, driving record and credit report may be required for employment
• Adept at networking, buildingrelationships, and community engagement
• Ability to work across theorganization to deliver solutions that meet internal and external objectives

CERTIFICATES,LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Currentstate driver’s license, proof of current auto insurance coverage, satisfactorydriving record and working vehicle required. Career Coaching, WorkforceDevelopment, or Adult Counseling certification.

• o 10days of annual leave per year (accrued bi-weekly) for the first five years
• o Sickleave accrued at 5 hours per pay period
• o 1paid day off annually for your birthday
• o Medical,dental, and vision insurance available for employees and dependents
• o HRCAPcovers 75% of health insurance premiums
• o Coveragebegins the first of the month after hire
• o Pre-taxpremium deductions via Section 125 Plan
• o 403(b)retirement plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 3% after one year ofservice

Additional details are provided inthe HRCAP Employee Handbook and Summary Plan Documents.