Employment Specialist - Supportive Housing

Heartshare Human Services Of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 61,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Sick and personal days

403(B) retirement plan with employer

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible spending account

Job summary

HeartShare Human Services of New York is hiring an Employment Specialist to help participants achieve employment, education, and independent living goals, with a focus on youth and adults. The role involves career planning, resume support, and building employer partnerships.

Offices are in Brooklyn, with travel to supportive housing sites as needed. The position emphasizes compassionate, person-centered service delivery, collaboration with the Supportive Housing team, and adherence to

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

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Meet established performance goals and outcomes related to participant engagement, employment placements, retention, and service quality.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: 66 Boerum Place, 66 Boerum Place, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 - Brooklyn, NY 11201, Position Type: Full-Time, Education Level: Bachelors Degree or Equivalent, Salary Range: $29.14 - $31.25 Hourly, Travel Percentage: Up to 50% , Job Shift: Day

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

• 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

• 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.