Employment Specialist I - WAC

Young Community Developers•San Francisco, CA

35d•$70,304 - $72,384•Onsite

About The Position

Employment Specialist I – Workforce Access Center About Young Community Developers Established in 1973, YCD is a nonprofit organization who serves residents of all ages living in the most historically underserved communities of San Francisco. YCD takes a holistic approach via a delivery eco-system of services designed to empower residents in achieving economic mobility, in turn building and sustaining a positive community by providing them with education opportunities, workforce development training, and social services. YCD’s philosophy is that every individual should have the right to sustainable and generational economic mobility, aiming to break the cycle of poverty. Each year YCD provides around 1,200 community members with employment and training services through their programs and partnerships. YCD is also proud to share that they have been voted by NonProfit Times as one of the top 50 best non-profits to work for in the United States! POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Program Director - WAC, the Employment Specialist I is an entry-level member of the WAC team who delivers direct employment services to participants under the regular guidance of the Program Director – WAC and Lead Employment Specialist IV. This role manages a caseload primarily composed of RRL and Restorative clients (60-100 annually), supports workshop facilitation, and develops foundational expertise in YCD's full workforce service model. The ES I is a mission-driven self-starter eager to grow within the workforce development field and committed to serving San Francisco's most underserved residents across various career pathways.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred; 0-2 years of equivalent experience considered
Experience in workforce development, employment coaching, social services, case management, recruiting, or community-based services preferred
Basic awareness of multiple industry career pathways; strong willingness to build knowledge required
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite; willingness to learn Salesforce, Workforce Central (WFC), and AI productivity tools required
Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build trust with underserved community members
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing deadlines
Commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive service delivery
Bilingual/bicultural capacity (Spanish or other threshold languages) preferred
Strong commitment to the mission of Young Community Developers Inc. and to individuals from diverse populations
Embraces cultural differences and is willing to foster diversity, equity and inclusion
Self-motivated individual who has a passion to ensure that program goals, objectives, and tasks are completed in a timely fashion and exceeds standards
An efficient multi-tasker who demonstrates effective time management and the capacity to meet competing deadlines
Must have proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in a related field
Experience in workforce development, employment coaching, social services, case management, recruiting, or community-based services
Bilingual/bicultural capacity (Spanish or other threshold languages)

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of 60-100 clients annually, primarily RRL and Restorative clients, under regular direction from the Program Director - WAC
Conduct participant intake and basic assessments, and assist in developing individualized employment plans
Provide job search assistance, resume support, and interview preparation coaching
Connect participants to referrals, supportive services, and career pathway resources in multiple career pathways
Document participant progress and maintain case records accurately and in a timely manner
Provide follow-up contact and retention support as directed
Co-facilitate job readiness workshops under the direction of senior Employment Specialists and the Program Director - WAC
Assist with participant outreach, enrollment, and follow-up communications
Collect and submit workshop surveys and attendance records
Support employer engagement activities, job fairs, and community events
Assist in maintaining relationships with training providers and community partners
Develop foundational awareness of labor market trends in Healthcare, Construction, and Security
Actively learn and consistently use all required data entry systems including Workforce Central (WFC), Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and AI tools (Co-Pilot, Claude, ChatGPT, etc.)
Maintain timely and accurate case records in compliance with OEWD and YCD requirements
Participate in all required training, team meetings, and compliance activities
Demonstrate ongoing commitment to learning and professional development

Benefits

Competitive compensation
Generous zero to low-cost Medical, Dental, Vision premiums, and Life insurance
Free life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Employer-sponsored Health Spending Account with eligible plans
2 weeks of vacation accrued annually for the first 2 years of employment
Accrued paid sick time; 80 hours max
16 paid holidays annually (Presidential Election Day added every 4 years)
Personal Birthday Holiday
End-of-Year paid Respite Week
Employee Assistance Program
Mental Health & Wellness services for all employees
4% company 401K contribution match after one year of service and 21 Years of Age
Professional development program to promote career advancement
Discounts in retail, travel, and entertainment
A fun, purposeful, and inclusive culture through in-office events, volunteerism, and community-based networking opportunities.