Employment Specialist - Charleston, South Carolina

Concordance

Charleston (SC)

On-site

USD 42,000 - 56,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

401(k) matching

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

EAP program

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Concordance seeks an Employment Specialist in Charleston, SC to support participants in education, career readiness, and securing employment. The role involves delivering classroom-based education, coaching one-on-one, and coordinating with the care team to ensure holistic support for participants through the program.

You will build employer relationships, conduct outreach, and help participants navigate education and training opportunities while meeting program goals and maintaining accurate

Qualifications

2-3 years in workforce development, training or counseling.
Experience supporting a formerly incarcerated population is preferred.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

Teach curriculum and enrichment activities to participants.
Assess participant knowledge and job readiness.
Guide career planning and recommend further education.
Conduct 1:1 and group coaching sessions; maintain participant communication.
Prepare for sessions with curriculum and case notes.
Coordinate with care team for holistic services.
Document progress and challenges in the electronic system.
Engage employers and review progress with participants.
Attend team meetings and trainings.

Skills

Workforce development

Counseling

Career coaching

Formerly incarcerated support

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

CPR/First Aid preferred

Job description

Employment Specialist - Charleston, South Carolina

Department: Career Coach

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Charleston, South Carolina

Description

About Concordance

Concordance’s reentry program is designed to dramatically reduce recidivism by helping individuals with justice involvement lead meaningful, abundant, and joyful lives. Our holistic, evidence-based model offers a wide range of services - therapy, case management, yoga, behavioral health and substance use recovery groups, spiritual care, life skills, medical care, education, and job readiness. Each participant is formally supported by our Care Team for a full year, ensuring stability and long-term success. Now operating in Missouri, South Carolina, and Virginia, Concordance is a national leader in compassionate, innovative reentry care.

Position Overview

The Employment Specialist plays a critical role in the success of our participants. Employment Specialist works directly with participants to facilitate education, prepare participants for long-term career success and provide support in securing employment. This role participates in employer outreach, delivers classroom-based education, one-on-one coaching, and supports participants with successful employment throughout the program.

Key Responsibilities - your role will involve:

Key Responsibilities

Participant Support:

Teach standard curriculum and develop enrichment activities that enhance participant learning
Assess participant knowledge and job readiness through formal and informal assessments and classroom observations
Guide participants on career planning; make recommendations for continuing education and leverage tools to help the participant identify skills, interests and strengths
Conducting impactful 1:1 and group sessions, maintaining frequent and supportive participant communication. Meet minimum requirements for 1:1 Sessions.
Preparing for sessions with participants by reviewing curriculum and participant case notes

Communication and Administration

Collaborating closely with participants’ care team, including Case Managers and Therapists, to ensure coordination of services and holistic care delivery
Documenting participant interactions, progress, and challenges in electronic record system
Engaging with employed participations to review progress and intercept challenges that may hinder full-time employment
Attending team meetings and trainings

Community Outreach and Engagement

Serving as primary point of contact for local employers
Build relationships with employer networks, chambers, apprenticeships and educational organizations
Scheduling site tours and employer visits

The right candidate will come with the following attributes, education, experience and meet the physical requirements.

Personal Attributes

Passion for our mission
Effective intervention skills and expertise in Career Coaching
Flexibility and adaptability to provide support throughout phases of Concordance’s programming
Effective communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders
Skill in documenting interactions in case notes and flagging participant needs
Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and compassion in all interactions

Required Education and Licensure

CPR / Adult First Aid certification preferred
Preferred certifications: Certified Professional Career Coach and/or Offenders Workforce Development Specialist
High school degree or equivalent
Valid, Class E Driver’s License and comfortability transporting groups in a vehicle provided by Concordance

Skills and Competencies

2-3 years of workforce development, training, counseling, coaching, and/or experience directly supporting a formerly incarcerated population
Bachelor’s degree preferred

Physical Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This person must be able to sit or stand at a personal computer for typing and reading. This person must be able to see, hear, speak, walk, and sit. Must be able to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
For center events, this person must be willing to help set up, which may include but is not limited to moving classrooms around and carrying and setting up tables and chairs.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Information

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a transformative mission and make a lasting impact on the lives of justice-involved individuals. As part of the Concordance team, you'll play a crucial role in advancing our vision and shaping the future of reentry services nationwide.

Team Benefits

We understand the importance of work-life balance and the value of ensuring time for yourself and your family. We offer competitive pay and paid time off, a matching 401(k), and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. Additionally, we cover other benefits such as basic life insurance, AD&D, professional development opportunities, and an EAP program, which gives you quick access to a wide range of life resources.