Employment Specialist - Supportive Housing

Heartshare; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Sick days

Personal days

Holidays

403(B) retirement plans

Health insurance

EAP

Job summary

HeartShare seeks an Employment Specialist to work under the Vice President of Employment Services and coordinate with the Supportive Housing team to help participants achieve employment, education, and independence goals.

You will build relationships with youth and adults, provide individualized career planning, job development, and ongoing coaching, and ensure services align with participants’ long-term objectives. This role blends office work with site-based client interactions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or equivalent.
• Master's degree or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized career planning, job readiness training, job development, placement, and retention services.
• Provide services both in office and at supportive housing locations to ensure client engagement.
• Deliver job search assistance including resume development and interview preparation.

Skills

Career counseling

Relationship building

Documentation

Job coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Employment Services, the Employment Specialist will serve as a workforce development resource for program participants, working collaboratively with the employment services team, Supportive Housing staff, and other service providers to support participants in achieving their employment, educational, and long-term self-sufficiency goals. The Employment Specialist will cultivate a network of employment, internship, training, and career development opportunities for youth and adults through partnerships with workforce development organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and community-based organizations.

The Employment Specialist will build supportive, engaging, and strength-based relationships with participants to help them identify career interests, vocational goals, and pathways to employment. Through individualized career planning, skill development, job placement, and retention support, the Employment Specialist will assist participants in obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment that contributes to their long-term success and independence.

The Employment Specialist will collaborate closely with the Supportive Housing team to ensure employment services are integrated into participants' overall service plans and aligned with their long-term goals. The specialist will take a compassionate, nonjudgmental, person-centered approach to service delivery and will be trained in and implement evidence-based practices that support engagement, employment success, and self-sufficiency.

Essential Functions And Primary Responsibilities Of Position

• Provide individualized career planning, job readiness training, job development, placement, and retention services to support participants in achieving their employment goals.
• Provide services both in office and meeting job seekers at their supportive housing locations to ensure strong client engagement and hands-on employment support.
• Conduct vocational assessments and assist participants in identifying career pathways that support economic self-sufficiency and personal growth.
• Deliver job search assistance, including resume development, interview preparation, application support, and career exploration activities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers, community partners, and training providers to identify employment and career advancement opportunities.
• Provide ongoing job coaching, workplace support, and retention services to help participants maintain successful employment outcomes.
• Monitor participant progress and maintain accurate, timely documentation in all required databases, case records, and reporting systems.
• Facilitate career readiness workshops, hiring events, employer information sessions, career fairs, and other workforce development activities that prepare participants for employment and connect them to job placement, training, and career advancement opportunities.
• Ensure all employment-eligible referrals are contacted within two (2) business days of receipt and scheduled for an intake appointment within one (1) week, maintaining timely engagement, responsiveness, and accurate documentation of outreach efforts.
• Advocate for participants and assist in addressing barriers that may impact employment success.
• Collaborate with the Supportive Housing team and other interdisciplinary service providers to support each participant's long-term goals, ensuring employment services are aligned with broader objectives related to independence, stability, and community integration.
• Participate in case conferences, service plan meetings, and interdisciplinary team discussions to coordinate services and support participant success.
• Maintain knowledge of workforce development resources, labor market trends, benefits planning considerations, and community-based support services.
• Meet established performance goals and outcomes related to participant engagement, employment placements, retention, and service quality.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope, responsibilities, and level of the position, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or equivalent
• Preferred Education: Master's degree or equivalent
• Experience: 1-3 years experience working with youth ages 14-26 required, 5-7 years strongly preferred.
• Bi-Lingual: Not required, but helpful if possessed
• Standard Hours: 9 am - 5 pm (Monday – Friday) 40 Hours Flex

Physical Demands And Travel Requirements

• Constantly required to exchange accurate information
• Constantly operates a computer and other office tools
• Frequently required to stand
• Occasionally moves about inside a building or residential setting
• Must be able to lift or move up to 25 pounds
• Weekly travel to supportive housing sites and employment related events as needed

Work Environment and Schedule

• The work environment outlines the physical environment, working conditions and time spent working. Examples:
• Residential setting requiring adjustments or changes with scheduling, working with a team, and include regular contact with individuals receiving Heartshare services.
• Active work environment that may include standing, walking, community travel, and crisis response.
• Professional office environment with a balance of independent work and cross-functional collaboration.
• Dynamic human services environment serving diverse populations with a strong focus on compassion, flexibility, and responsiveness.
• Trauma-informed and client-centered workplace requiring adaptability, professionalism, and teamwork.

Benefits

At HeartShare we offer a comprehensive benefit package based on full-time/part-time status. You canexpect:

• Rewarding Work in a team environment.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
• 403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
• Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Professional Development opportunities.
• Wellhub Discount
• Verizon Wireless Discount.
• BJs Membership discount.
• Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more

HeartShare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need to request accommodation during the recruiting process, please reach out to [e-mail].

About Heartshare

Who WE ARE:

For over 150 years, Heartshare has been dedicated to championing and empowering New Yorkers society has too often overlooked and underestimated.

To learn more about HeartShare, please visit our website at www.heartshare.org or Follow us on Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Facebook

HeartShare Human Services of New York | Homepage

HeartShare Human Services of New York nurtures and empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.