Employment Specialist, Rising Up Mens Shelter

CAMBA•New York, NY

22d•$50,470 - $53,045•Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Specialist works with residents of CAMBA’s Rising Up Men’s Shelter to help them identify and pursue employment-related goals and connect with appropriate services and community resources. The role develops and facilitates employment workshops and materials, provides individualized employment counseling, conducts vocational assessments, and builds relationships with employers, training providers, and other community organizations. The specialist also coordinates with shelter social services staff and supports clients as they address barriers to employment and housing stability. The position includes conducting intake, assessments, and periodic reassessments; preparing psychosocial evaluations; maintaining client records and required documentation; and revising independent living plans with clients. The specialist monitors progress through scheduled client contacts, documents services in the DHS CARES Database and paper files, follows up with referral organizations, and contributes information to required reports. The role also includes client advocacy, referrals, and assistance with applications and appointments as needed. Tasks may be modified, expanded, or assigned over time. This is a full-time position of 35 hours per week, based in Brooklyn, New York. Annual compensation is $50,470 to $53,045.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and two years of direct experience, or an associate or bachelor’s degree and one year of direct experience.
Computer literacy in MS Office and other basic office technology.
Applicants enrolled in a program and expected to complete the minimum education, license, and/or certification requirements within three months may apply if they meet the experience requirements; employment is contingent on satisfying the position requirements.
If off-site or school-based, may require Department of Health and Department of Education fingerprint clearance, a doctor’s note certifying good health, proof of negative TB test results, and State Central Registry clearance.
If off-site or school-based, ability to maintain State Central Registry and fingerprint clearances throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of CARES.
Four or more years of direct experience.
Bilingual in English and another language.

Responsibilities

Maintain professional relationships with clients, protect confidentiality, follow Universal Precautions/Standard Protocol & Procedures, and comply with privacy and security policies.
Serve as a liaison with outside organizations on employment, education, healthcare, housing, social services, legal issues, and related matters.
Help clients pursue employment goals by identifying and referring them to appropriate services within and outside CAMBA.
Develop employment-focused curriculum, workshops, bulletin-board materials, and other program marketing materials.
Provide individualized counseling and employment-related support, training, and coordination with social services staff.
Organize presentations by employment experts and establish linkages with community-based organizations.
Conduct outreach and marketing presentations to secure resources such as job placements and vocational training.
Conduct vocational assessments, client intake, needs assessments, and periodic reassessments.
Create and maintain electronic and paper client files; prepare and update psychosocial evaluations; and obtain required client documentation and release forms.
Revise independent living plans with clients, including short- and long-term goals, and help clients overcome barriers and advocate for housing stability.
Identify community resources and refer clients to appropriate services, including medical and psychiatric services.
Encourage client participation in the process of transitioning to permanent housing.
Monitor client progress through regularly scheduled face-to-face contacts or sessions.
Document client encounters in the DHS CARES Database and print progress notes for paper files; keep CARES records current with client service requests.
Follow up with clients and referral organizations about contact and progress.
Provide information for weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
As needed, advocate for clients with outside organizations, schedule referral appointments, assist with benefit and entitlement applications, and process applications on clients’ behalf.