Employment Specialist - Oakland

Jimmy Jazz; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Holidays

Vacation days

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Swords to Plowshares is seeking an Employment Specialist to recruit, enroll, and provide job placement assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. The role includes supportive services, plan development, and outreach to employers.

Responsibilities cover assessments, case management, referrals, resume support, and coordination with VA benefits. Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and strong English communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or behavioral sciences or equivalent experience.
• Five years of vocational and/or pre-employment counseling and case management.
• Fluency in English with strong written and oral communication.
• Ability to travel within the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Knowledge of federal/state employment programs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assess and counsel veterans for job readiness
• Develop Individual Employment Plans (IEPs) with veteran clients to assess barriers to employment
• Determine client eligibility for federal/state employment and training programs
• Maintain veteran participant caseload and make referrals to additional services as appropriate
• Provide job placement assistance including resume development, job search, interview techniques
• Provide support services, including liaison with VA benefits and other entitlements, counseling and community programs
• Maintain up-to-date client files and complete paperwork timely
• Perform other employment-related tasks as identified by leadership

Skills

Public speaking

Communication

Time management

Team work

Multitasking

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or behavioral sciences

Equivalent combination of college coursework and experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Location 330 Franklin Street,Suite 100,Oakland, CA, 94607,United States
• Base Pay $31.90 / Hour
• Employee Type Non-Exempt FT

About Swords to Plowshares

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to support veterans as they navigate the challenges of post-military life, and to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wrap-around care and informed advocacy. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org.

Job Title:

Employment Specialist

Location:

330 Franklin Street, Oakland

Schedule:

Monday through Friday 9 am-5 pm

Reporting Type:

4 days in office, 1 day from home- after 90 days

Employment Type:

Non-exempt, Full-time

Salary Range:

$31.90 per hour

Summary:

The Employment Specialist-II recruits, enrolls and provided job placement assistance to each veteran. The Employment Specialist-II provides supportive services, develops recruitment and implementation plans, and performs community and some employment outreach throughout the San Francisco and East Bay Area. The Employment Specialist-II provides assessments, case management, information and referral, and job counseling to assist veterans reintegrating into the civilian workforce. Employment Specialists-II coordinates with employers for job placement and/or occupational training programs in accordance with contract goals. Employment Specialist-II will host employer spotlights and assist with workshops, maintain relationships with community-based organizations, employers, assist Program Managers with special projects.

Responsibilities:

• Assess and counsel veterans for job readiness
• Develop Individual Employment Plans (IEP’s) with veteran clients to assess barriers to employment, and identify individual veteran client service needs
• Determine client eligibility for federal/state employment and training programs
• Maintain veteran participant caseload and make necessary referrals to additional services as appropriate, including counseling on mental health issues, legal advocacy, job readiness workshops, and pre-employment training
• Provides job placement assistance including resume development, job search, interview techniques, host employer spotlights and aid with weekly workshops
• Provide support services, including liaison or linkages with advocacy programs for VA benefits and other entitlements, personal counseling services, and community programs for the homeless and/or unemployed
• Maintain concise and up-to-date client files, including required documentation and weekly case/progress notes, thorough and accurate completion and execution of paperwork in a timely manner
• Perform any other employment related tasks as identified and delegated by the Employment Director, Program Manager, and Program Coordinator

Desired Qualifications:

• Five (4-5) years of experience providing vocational and/or pre-employment counseling and case management in a multi-service setting
• Translatable military experience and skills may be alternatively substituted
• Knowledge of federal and state government employment programs a plus
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines while maintaining a professional composure
• Extremely tactful and diplomatic when dealing with people
• Ability to articulate and facilitate presentations in a public speaking forum
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and interact well with people from diverse economic, ethnic and educational backgrounds
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods
• Ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks
• Ability to travel within the San Francisco Bay area and perform case management and outreach functions at various sites and provide proof of auto insurance
• Employee must be able to perform all functions of this position within what would be deemed reasonable accommodations
• Fluency in English and ability to effectively read, write, and communicate in English with staff, clients, and external partners and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Proactive, detail-oriented, reliable, exercises good judgment
• Basic computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or behavioral sciences
• Equivalent combination of college course work and experience

Employees who are regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for all benefits.

100% employer sponsored medical, vision, acupuncture, and dental coverage. Swords to Plowshares covers partial dependent coverage cost. (Agency paid annual medical deductible paid via Navia HRA Card)

Employee Assistance Program: 20 mental health counseling appointments available to all employees, regardless of Full-time status, at no cost to employees.

Generous annual paid time off

13 holidays

17 vacation days in the first year & progressive afterwards

Access to third party legal benefits, employee discount program, pet insurance, and Commuter Benefit.

1-hour paid lunch period, professional development reimbursements, and annual education allowance available to all employees.

*Employees who work on-call, in a temporary position, or less than 20 hours per week regularly are only eligible for our Employee Assistance Program, paid lunch hour, and San Francisco sick time. Vacation and sick time are pro-rated based upon full-time equivalent percentage.

Organizational Values Statement of Intent:

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of upholding our values and fostering a supportive culture for all staff and veteran clients . For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals—regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status—are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974).

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [e-mail]. We’re here to help.