Lead Employment Specialist

Lawrence Hall; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Lawrence Hall seeks a Lead Employment Specialist to support youth empowerment through job placements and career development programs. This role involves supervising staff, cultivating employer relationships, and aligning opportunities with participants’ skills. Ideal candidates have a degree in a human services field and experience in trauma-informed settings.

Benefits

17-25 days of PTO

Comprehensive health insurance

401(k) plan with employer match

Employee referral program

Tuition and loan assistance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling preferred.
• Familiarity with childhood trauma and youth development.
• Experience working with youth and families affected by trauma.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Employment Specialists and Business Services Representatives.
• Develop and maintain employment opportunities for program participants.
• Provide follow-up and aftercare services for placed participants.

Skills

Sales ability

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a human services field

Job description

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Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicago's youth, families, and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years, Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective, evidence-based, and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs-Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness-have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by not only becoming more community based, but also by developing more preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicago's communities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Lead Employment Specialist reports to the Workforce Development Supervisor. The Lead Employment Specialist will assist with supervision of Employment Specialists and Business Services Representatives. Responsible for developing and maintaining subsidized and competitive employment opportunities with prospective employers that meet the skills and goals of program participants. Upon completion of the curriculum, Lead Employment Specialist coordinates referrals to employment, provides follow-up and aftercare services. Effective use of verbal and written communications skills. Use of crisis intervention techniques (both verbal and physical). Use of physical intervention requires the ability to kneel and return to standing without assistance. Requires knowledge of trauma exposure, knowledge of the 5 S's of trauma: Safety, Self-Regulation/Soothing, Supportive, Strengths, Self-Care, and an understanding of and recognition of the signs of traumatic stress. Lead Employment Specialist must have the flexibility to adjust work schedule to the needs of the program.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for monthly individual supervision sessions with Employment Specialist and Business Services Representatives
• Assist Supervisor with monthly staff meetings, PQIs and other duties as assigned.
• Primary responsibility for identifying, developing, and maintaining high level employer relationships with business owners, general managers, regional managers and human resources personnel for subsidized employment placements and competitive employment opportunities
• Manage employer relationships to promote retention of youth and creation of new employment opportunities
• Assist participants with self-directed placement activities to secure competitive employment
• Assist participants in securing subsidized and competitive employment opportunities in industries of interest or skill level and fields of high growth
• Utilize current resources to develop new resources for assisting participants in obtaining full and part-time, subsidized and competitive work experiences
• Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.
• Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization
• Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants
• Keep abreast of current and future job market trends, utilizing information for workforce development guidance, and to provide job placements in high demand areas
• Establish a job bank specific to youth employment opportunities
• Cultivate employment opportunities for program participants through research, networking, outreach and job placement development
• Work with the Project Work team and the Development department to create marketing material for employer recruitment. This may include written material as well as social media
• Prepare and communicate job requirements and employer interest to carefully match program participants
• Serves as the primary contact person to employers and maintains database of communications with current and potential employers
• Monitor youth performance and participation
• Deliver follow-up services to placed participants
• Participate in program evaluation as required
• Provide ongoing employment services including job searches, submission of applications and resumes, and coordinating interviews
• Facilitate access to on-line job searching, job bank and other technological assistance, as needed
• Attend all team meetings and in-service training as required
• Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
• Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
• Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
• Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve-month period
• Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
• Participate in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned
• Accurately complete documents as needed including service logs, youth/student participants, and other necessary documents
• Effectively communicate with referring agencies and/or case managers regarding youth needs, placement and program services
• Provide placement and follow-up services for assigned youth
• Maintain a professional standard when representing the agency or youth
• Engage in continuing education and professional development in an effort to provide best practice
• Assist in transportation of youth to interviews and work as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field (social work, psychology, counseling) and related experience preferred
• Strong sales ability
• Must be highly organized, detail focused, have excellent time management and possess strong computer skills.
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred
• Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength based approach preferred
• Personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance
• No history of child abuse or neglect
• Ability to pass background and drug screen

Compensation:

Compensation is determined by a set base salary for each position, with additional compensation considered based on relevant education and experience. This position has a compensation range from $42,800 to $48,000/year.

Benefits and Perks that Support You

• Time Off Benefits (PTO): Employees receive an average of 17-25 days of PTO, including vacation, paid leave, and sick time, in addition to 9 paid holidays.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans are available for employees, spouses/domestic partners, and child dependents.
• Wellness Reimbursement: Employees can receive up to $20 per month towards wellness-related subscriptions/memberships.
• Retirement Savings: Our 401(k) plan includes a 100% employer match on contributions up to 3% after one year of service.
• Supplemental Insurance: Coverage options include Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, and Short-Term & Long-Term Disability for employees and their families.
• Life & AD&D Insurance: Full-time employees receive term life insurance equal to twice their salary at no cost.
• Commuter Benefits: Pre-tax options are available to help cover parking and transit expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): A free and confidential resource providing support for personal and work-related challenges.
• Employee Referral Program: Employees can earn up to $1,500 for referring successful candidates.
• Tuition & Loan Assistance: Lawrence Hall is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet all listed qualifications. We look forward to your application.

Position meets the FLSA requirement for Exempt

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Not Applicable

Employment type

• Employment type

  Part-time

Job function

• Job function

  Human Resources

• Industries

  Individual and Family Services

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