Employment Specialist

FORTUNE SOCIETY INC • New York, NY

29d • $30 - $37 • Onsite

About The Position

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities. Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Under the direction of Program Manager, Placement Services, the Employment Specialist (ES) is responsible for assisting individuals in finding, securing, and maintaining employment. This role involves providing career counseling, job search assistance, and support services to both job seekers and employers. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of labor market trends, creating job leads for participants’ and have excellent communication skills, with the ability to achieve departmental goals.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in business/Sociology/Social Work/Criminal Justice/Public Administration or other life/professional experience equivalent to an associate’s degree
• A minimum of one – two years of experience working in social service, criminal justice or workforce programming
• Skilled communicator who is able to liaise interdepartmentally as well as with community partners, employers and stakeholders
• Ability to work a flexible schedule
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Outlook and Office 365
• Ability to work independently and on a team
• Must be willing to work in a fast-paced environment with varying demands and achieve set goals
• Experience and/or desire to work with a diverse population.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in Spanish a plus
• Knowledge of up-to-date labor market trends and resources a plus
• Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct one-on-one employment counseling sessions with program participants as needed to assess their skills, interest and employment goals and support any barriers to employment.
• Develop personalized job search strategies and career development plans; Assist participants with editing their resumes, cover letters, and interview techniques.
• Support with on-site and off-site job/resource fairs; Build and maintain relationships with local employers to identify job openings and employment opportunities.
• Create employer engagement events to increase new employment opportunities and placements.
• Promote program services to organizations and businesses to foster employer partnerships; Match participants with appropriate job openings based on their skills and qualifications.
• Support clients throughout the hiring process, providing guidance and advocacy as needed.
• Support EES case managers with obtaining post-placement retention verification; Track and evaluate the process and outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of participants and employers’ interactions in our database.
• Generate reports and provide regular updates on placement activity, performance metrics, and market trends.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with participants by providing support, guidance, and feedback throughout the placement process.
• Monitor participants’ progress in their new jobs and provide post-placement support to ensure retention.
• Address any barriers to employment and connect clients with relevant resources; Maintain accurate records of participants’ interactions, job placements, and outcomes.
• Prepare reports and statistics on employment services provided.
• Document all engagement in Case Worthy to ensure all parties involved are aware in real-time of participant activities, and support is provided where appropriate.
• Maintain regular phone, email, and in-person communication within account base document all pertinent discussions, milestones, events, and incidents in real-time;
• Stay informed about labor market trends, job search techniques, and employment resources.
• Participate in internal and external training and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Educate employers on the socioeconomic advantages of hiring from Fortune’s pool of candidates; be able to cite recent departmental employment statistics and competitive advantages of hiring from The Fortune Society; Attend workforce networking events and training workshops to remain informed;
• Model safe and positive workplace behavior and work readiness skills (teamwork, conflict resolution, positive attitude, timeliness, etc.); Utilize trauma-informed practices to support participants; establish constructive relationships with participants as a positive role model;
• Participate in collaborative meetings with Employment Services’ teams to assess participant progress and further develop their individualized plans for placement. Ensure that relevant information is shared with the team to aid in service planning;
• Participate in regular, ongoing professional development opportunities including trainings, skill practice, and receiving ongoing coaching and feedback;
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service.
• The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society.
• The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program.
• Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve.
• Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation.
• We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree