Employment Specialist (Full-Time)

Covenant House California•Santa Clara, CA

129d•Onsite

About The Position

Covenant House California (CHC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing sanctuary and support to young people aged 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness. CHC's mission is to ensure that every young person has access to housing, food, clothing, education, and love. The organization offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at supporting the physical, emotional, educational, vocational, and spiritual well-being of young people. CHC fosters an inclusive and affirming environment, welcoming individuals regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and is committed to advancing anti-racism and promoting the diverse lived experiences of its community. The Santa Clara location, established in May 2021, also provides support to young families. Applicants for this position must be at least 25 years old due to direct care responsibilities with young people aged 18-24.

Requirements

High School Diploma required.
Minimum of 3 years of employment development experience working with at-risk young people.
Knowledge of Adolescent Development, Crisis Intervention, Multi-Cultural Awareness, Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and CPR & FIRST AID.
Knowledge of Job Skills Development and Employment Readiness.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational skills.
Computer literate (Word, Outlook, ACCESS, etc.).
Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with other staff members, young people, vendors, and the public.
Must have and maintain a valid California Driver’s license and a good driving record.
Must be able to drive residents to activities using CHC vans.
Must be at least 25 years old.

Nice To Haves

Associates or Bachelors degree in human services or related field preferred.
Relevant life and/or work experience will be considered in lieu of diplomas.
CPR and PART 2000 training is preferred.

Responsibilities

Implement individualized plans for employability, job search skills, skills enhancement, and job retention in conjunction with a young person’s primary Case Manager.
Determine young people’s ongoing needs in searching for employment and provide 1:1 support.
Hold regular meetings with assigned young people to discuss progress and refine search focus.
Participate in Success Plan meetings with young people, their case manager, Director, and support circle.
Ensure young people have the necessary tools and skills for job searching, including online and personal contact techniques, computer skills for applications, resume writing, cover letters, follow-up, and interview skills.
Facilitate and lead employment or workforce curriculum, including monthly workshops on interviewing skills, resume writing, career exploration, and job retention.
Coordinate and facilitate regular weekly, monthly, and annual groups and events such as employment groups, Job Retention groups, and job fairs.
Ensure all files are complete, current, and compliant with standards and grant requirements using ETO and HMIS.
Update daily logs and input data into the database as requested by the Program Coordinator.
Create a weekly engagement/employment touchpoint in ETO and update employment data, including job retention, pay increases, and career path explorations.
Support the creation of employment goals for young people’s Success Plans in collaboration with their assigned case manager.
Maintain ongoing communication with other CHC departments serving young people and provide backup support to other Specialists when necessary.
Attend CHC program trainings, daily residential transition meetings, case reviews, and CHC taskforce meetings.
Encourage and assist young people with enrollment into benefits and resources, including CalFresh and CalFresh E&T.
Attend and participate in CHI Federation wide workforce meetings, seminars, and webinars.
Organize and lead job search sessions, including outings and individual/small group client meetings.
Research and share job opportunities, job fairs, and professional clothing resources; coordinate or provide transportation as applicable.
Coordinate career exploration related activities and visits to vocational programs, community colleges, or other areas of interest.
Encourage participation and support enrollment in educational/vocational training programs and client incentive programs.
Oversee the on-site internship program, including monitoring client progress, meeting with internship mentors weekly, and overseeing payroll.
Oversee the off-site internship program once established.
Serve as a liaison to external organizations promoting employment of young people.
Attend community events to promote employment opportunities for CHC young people.
Ensure collaborations and partnerships are recorded in an MOU and filed onsite.
Perform duties as assigned by the Director of Mental Health and Wellness Programs, including ensuring cleanliness and safety of the living environment, providing crisis intervention, and offering backup support for other direct care positions.