Employment Specialist

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc.•Mount Pleasant, WI

1d•$40,450 - $56,700

About The Position

The Employment Specialist is responsible for developing employer partnerships to identify job opportunities, market the skills and strengths of job seekers, address employer needs and organizational cultures to assist individuals in Employment Services to reach their goal of community employment. This role is ideal for someone interested in a case management-like role, working with clients with disabilities and disadvantages, and helping individuals with barriers get prepared for a job, placed in a job with community employers, and supporting them as needed during their job placement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
Must have a valid Wisconsin Driver's license, a vehicle and insurance coverage.
Effective computer skills for reporting, communication, information gathering and presentation purposes.

Responsibilities

Plans and manages own work to reliably complete routine job responsibilities and special assignments.
Serves as a team member or subject matter expert on formal or department projects.
Engages in change affecting her/him, communicating appropriately with supervisor and adapting to change.
Solves problems of routine complexity, identifies root cause, interprets data, and resolves issues.
Works in compliance with established procedures.
Serves as an ambassador for Goodwill in the wider community.
Participates in volunteer opportunities as schedules and interest permit.
Develops employer partnerships to identify and customize job opportunities for individuals in the program.
Markets skills and strengths of people served and program support services.
Acts as a liaison with employers, public and private employment agencies and other Goodwill staff to develop job opportunities.
Evaluates, develops, implements and monitors Individual Service Plans evaluating individual's unique strengths and establishing appropriate goals and objectives for each individual consumer to help them accomplish their goal of community employment and match skills to different vocational interest areas.
Develops working relationships and collaboration with colleagues across Goodwill business units who are similarly focused on business development, placement or community outreach, identifies and pursues job leads for Employment Services individuals; develops the ability to cross sell for other Goodwill business units, in Mission Services and Mission Operations.
Independently organizes and multi-tasks weekly activities and requirements to manage a caseload of 30-40 individuals authorized to receive placement services and provides services according to contract including job preparation, development, placement and retention services.
Maintains all necessary records including Monthly Progress Reports, computer entries (i.e., placements, follow-up and status change, Billing and Employer Job Orders, etc.).
Provides counseling and guidance in the areas of: Career exploration, advocacy, personal grooming, financial, job seeking skills, problem-solving, community resources, and other resources and areas which may affect employment. Functions as a case manager.
Assists newly employed individuals in the orientation to the firm's policies, procedures, products, services, standards, fringe benefits, and opportunities.
Provides on-the-job training job coaching support and/or other employment related support services as needed to elicit regular feedback from employers for successful closure and retention services for individuals we serve.
Provides job retention and systematic instruction services. Targets behavior or work conditions that are problematic to the individual consumer and develops a plan to reduce target behavior or remedy the situation on the job.
Provides educational, problem-solving/supportive techniques to individual consumers, family members, referral sources and employers to meet workplace needs.
Communicates and effectively builds professional working relationships with the referral and funding sources and significant others to coordinate effective services.
Promotes and markets Goodwill programs in the community through transition and provider fairs, employer outreach, site visits and other events to provide education on services and support business development activities.
Provides ongoing support, training and assistance to employers.
Maintains a safe and orderly work environment.
Completes other duties/responsibilities as assigned.