Work Readiness Retention Specialist - Full Time; 2309-206-N

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, Inc. seeks a Retention Specialist to lead workforce readiness programming for interns in the DYCD CRED Program.

Under supervision of the Program Manager, you will design and deliver training, recruit participants, and ensure successful internship placements. You will collaborate with Case Managers, Job Developers, employers, and community partners, delivering instruction on workplace professionalism, financial literacy, diversity and inclusion, and career

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Human Services preferred; or Bachelor’s with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in workforce development, education, or training programs.
• Experience developing and facilitating workforce readiness curricula.
• Experience teaching or leading classroom and small-group instruction.
• Strong networking skills and ability to work independently.
• Ability to travel between sites and work in person 5 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the Workforce Readiness Orientation Curriculum.
• Coordinate and facilitate instruction, workshops, and activities.
• Develop lesson plans, materials, and activities aligned with program goals.
• Assess learning needs and adapt instructional strategies.
• Evaluate curriculum effectiveness and revise based on outcomes.
• Maintain attendance and training records.
• Coordinate guest speakers and partner organizations.
• Ensure compliance with DYCD requirements and agency standards.
• Lead planning and evaluation of the Workforce Readiness Program.
• Provide individual coaching to participants.

Skills

Curriculum development

Teaching & training

Networking

Independent worker

Cross-cultural communication

Travel between sites

Program coordination

Time management

Education

Master’s Degree in Human Services

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services

Job description

For over 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness.

The CRED workforce initiative provides a vital support to young adults ages 18 to 40. The program aims to serve as a pathway to help unemployed, underemployed, or individuals impacted by community violence to gain a long-term employment and economic stability. Through CRED, participants engage in work readiness training, sector-based occupational training with a focus on construction and healthcare career pathways. The program integrates wraparound supportive services, including case management, mental health counseling, academic support, and job placement assistance, to ensure participants can fully engage and remain successful throughout their training and transition into full-time employment.

STATEMENT OF THE JOB

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Retention Specialist is responsible for the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of workforce readiness programming for interns participating in the DYCD CRED Program. This position oversees the orientation and workforce readiness curriculum, facilitates classroom and experiential learning activities, coordinates client recruitment and retention, and ensures compliance with program goals and funding requirements. The Educational Specialist works collaboratively with Case Managers, Job Developers, employers, and community partners to prepare participants for successful internship placement, employment, and long-term career success while utilizing a holistic, integrated approach to service delivery.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the Workforce Readiness Orientation Curriculum for interns participating in the CRED Program.
• Coordinate and facilitate classroom instruction, workshops, and activities that prepare participants for internship and employment success.
• Develop lesson plans, instructional materials, presentations, and participant activities aligned with program goals and industry expectations.
• Assess participant learning needs and modify instructional strategies to support diverse learning styles.
• Evaluate curriculum effectiveness and recommend revisions based on participant outcomes, employer feedback, and program performance.
• Maintain attendance, training records, participant assessments, and learning evaluations.
• Coordinate guest speakers, employer presentations, and community partners participating in orientation activities.
• Ensure all orientation and workforce readiness training complies with DYCD requirements and agency standards.
• Research and incorporate new workforce development resources, teaching tools, and best practices into the curriculum.
• Lead and oversee the planning, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of the Workforce Readiness Orientation Program, including instruction on workplace professionalism, communication, conflict resolution, financial literacy, workplace ethics, diversity and inclusion, customer service, job readiness, interview preparation, and career retention strategies.
• Provide individual coaching and support to participants who require additional assistance mastering workforce readiness competencies.
• Organize, coordinate, and implement all aspects of assigned programs in accordance with program goals and funding requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Human Services is preferred or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services with an additional three (3) years of relevant experience.
• 2 years relevant experience in workforce development, education, or training programs.
• Experience developing and facilitating educational or workforce readiness curricula.
• Experience teaching or leading classroom and small-group instruction.
• Strong networking skills preferred.
• Ability to work independently with strong sense of focus, task-oriented, non-judgmental, and clear sense of boundaries
• Ability to work with culturally diverse individuals
• Must be available to work in person 5 days a week: evenings or weekends
• Must be able to travel between numerous sites in different boroughs.

BENEFITS:

We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits including:

• Generous time off (Vacation/ Personal Days/ Sick Days/ Paid Holidays annually)
• Medical,
• Dental
• Vision
• Retirement Savings with Agency Match
• Transit
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life insurance
• Public Loan Forgiveness Qualified Employer
• Training Series and other additional voluntary benefits.

For more information on our organization, please visit our website at:

www.ccbq.org

EOE/AA.