Employment Services Specialist

CORNERSTONES INC•Herndon, VA

3d•$60,000 - $65,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Employment Services Specialist prepares TANF-eligible youth and adults, accessing services at various Cornerstones sites, for successful entry, re-entry, and promotion in the workforce. The Employment Services Specialist is responsible for conducting intakes and skills assessments, working cooperatively with other departments within the agency, networking with other agencies and employers in the community, facilitating group and individual sessions, and documenting cases. The Employment Services Specialist requires a flexible, independent, high-energy individual. The Employment Services Specialist must have strong clinical, interpersonal, and motivational skills and must possess a patient, trauma-informed approach to service delivery using an equity lens. The Employment Services Specialist ensures that employment services are equitable and delivered with integrity in accordance with the Agency Mission, Vision, and Values. A candidate that is bilingual in English/Spanish and has the ability to use one's lived personal experience of housing instability to help assess system barriers is a plus.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in an applicable human services field of commensurate experience providng employment services with low-income populations.
2 years of progressive workforce development experience including supervisory experience.
Experience working with vulnerable individuals including people with mental health and/or substance abuse disabilities is required.
Ability to provide “strengths based” services, trauma-informed care, and racial equity.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to engage and work collaboratively with others.
Ability to use Apricot 360 to establish and maintain case records and to facilitate data collection.
Ability to schedule and manage workload sufficiently to meet deadlines.
Ability to learn, process information, prioritize competing priorities and make sound and reasoned decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to complete tasks while navigating frequent interruptions.
Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds and stand for long periods of time.
Must possess a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and good driving record.
Must be able to drive 15-passenger van.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree preferred.
National Workforce Development Professional (CWDP) certification or willingness to obtain.
Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus.
Ability to use one's lived personal experience of housing instability to help assess system barriers is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provides flexible shift, workforce development coverage as needed (generally 9-5, 12-8 and/or Saturdays) for program participants needing daytime/evening and/or weekend employment services.
Collects and maintains case file data as it relates to employment-readiness providing written case notes to the assigned case manager each week.
Promotes and develops employment and on-the-job training opportunities.
Provides solid job leads.
Provides instruction in resume writing, job search, interviewing techniques, clinics, and regular workshops as well as one-on-one employment counseling.
Utilizes Career Scope, and other assessment tools to assess individual interests and skills.
Assists with developing a strengths-based Employment/Education plan.
Reviews all written assessment and planning information, to ensure a thorough understanding of the individual’s strengths, support needs, effective support strategies and learning styles.
Assists with resume development, completes on-line job applications, writes cover letters, and works on other job-related issues.
Conducts weekly and/or monthly follow-up phone calls documenting changes in employment status and income.
Identifies and assists in the development of auxiliary services to facilitate applicants into the job-ready status.
Uses Cornerstones’ vehicle to provide transportation to job fairs.
Participates in weekly Team Meetings with case management and community-based staff to provide employment services updates.
Uses automated technology including Apricot 360 and hard copy files to maintain, update, and report on case data, goal attainment, and outcomes in a timely manner.
Maintains documentation and files in accordance with TANF contract requirements.
Provides support for agency-wide programs and activities as requested and capacity allows.
Maintains a valid drivers’ license.
Performs any other duties deemed necessary to support the agency.