JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Employment Specialist, Homeless Intervention Program
POSITIONS: 1 Full Time position
REPORTS TO: Director of Economic Empowerment Services
LOCATION: YWCA Opportunity Place, Seattle
SUMMARY: The Employment Specialist will work people experiencing homelessness to help them: obtain job readiness skills, stabilize housing, connect to WorkSource resources, and obtain employment. This position will enroll King County residents experiencing homelessness and looking for work into the Homeless Intervention Program. The Employment Specialist will conduct assessments, provide job training workshops, and assist clients with job retention, wage progression and money and time management skills. The Employment Specialist will also provide financial assistance to job seekers, maintain records of client progress, complete reports on demographics and achievement of program outcomes, enter data into the Safe Harbors HIMIS system, make housing referrals (working closely with the YWCA's Landlord Liaison Program), and will work with employers to develop job opportunities and to ensure that clients are meeting workplace expectations. This positon will partner closely with YWCA and WorkSource staff to co-enroll clients and may also facilitate job clubs and workshops.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Work with community partners to recruit and screen applicants to determine eligibility for program services
· Assess client's job readiness, strengths, and barriers to develop clear and realistic employment objectives
· Collaborate with staff of the YWCA's Homeless Intervention Program (HIP), Employment & Housing Stability program (EHS) and staff and programs based at WorkSource Downtown
· Provide clients with support services for work-related items and/or make referrals to other community agencies to resolve barriers to employment
· Provide individual and group job search preparation and training to explore and develop the habits and attitudes needed to be successful in the workplace
· Coach clients in developing job skills, resumes, cover letters, interview skills, and soft skills and provide clients with job search and labor market information
· Assist clients with job retention, wage progression, housing stability, and financial literacy goals
· Maintain accurate client files and enter client information into program databases including Safe Harbors
· Complete monthly and quarterly data and narrative reports on program performance and client demographics
· Occasionally travel to multiple locations, including other WorkSource offices, college campuses, housing programs, employer locations, and job and resource fairs
· Assist in the development and delivery of job skills and employability workshops
· Build relationships with representatives of hiring businesses, social service agencies, community based organizations, housing providers, and other employment providers in the community
QUALIFICATIONS:
· Bachelor's degree in social services, social work, education, or related field desired. An equivalent combination of experience and education will be considered.
· One to two years of demonstrated experience required performing work related to client recruitment and enrollment, career assessment and planning, support services, occupational training, workplace readiness, job placement, records maintenance and outcomes reporting
· Knowledge of case management and workforce development best practices
· Knowledge of King County labor market, vocational training programs, WorkSource system, and/or other local resources.
· Understanding of issues related to poverty, homelessness and the governmental, educational, and social service systems that serve low income people
· Strong customer service orientation and familiarity with strength-based, person-centered approaches
· Sensitivity to the needs of YWCA clients who are homeless, low income, limited English speaking, or impacted by domestic violence, substance abuse or other barriers to employment.
· Commitment to diversity and ability to work well with diverse family styles and multi-ethnic populations
· Oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
· Computer familiarity with Windows, Word., Excel, and Outlook
· Candidate must be able to travel independently between multiple work sites within a day.
· Core competencies expected: Achievement; Collaboration; Communication; Customer Service; Discernment/Judgment; Fostering Diversity; Initiative; Innovation; Interpersonal skills; Planning & Organizing; Problem Solving; Professionalism
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS POSITION:
· Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with clients, agency staff, employers, representatives of community organizations and other individuals in the community
· Frequently stands, walks, sits, and climbs in performing duties in the office and in traveling to off-site meetings
· Frequently reaches and grasps in using telephones, computers, fax machines and other office equipment and supplies
· Frequently lifts and carries up to 5 lbs. of paperwork, files, and training materials, occasionally up to 40 lbs.
· Frequently to occasionally performs close work while updating files, reading program information, and using computer
· Occasionally kneels, bends, pushes and pulls in obtaining files in drawers
· Occasionally stands for long periods of time while conducting training programs or attending job fairs
BENEFITS, HOURS, RATE:
· $16.35 to DOE per hour
· Full time, 40 hours per week
· Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification: Non-exempt.
· Pro-rated cafeteria benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, flex accounts and generous retirement, vacation.
· Grant-funded position reviewed regularly for funding availability.
To apply please send cover letter and resume to mshiring@ywcaworks.org
The YWCA of Seattle • King County • Snohomish County is an equal opportunity employer.
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