Part-Time Employment Specialist

Center for Employment Opportunities • Harrisburg, PA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Specialist expands employment opportunities for CEO participants by using their interests, experience, and ambitions to guide job placements and by identifying and cultivating prospective employers. The role operates on one of two tracks, depending on site and regional staffing needs: the Account Specialist track focuses on employer cultivation, engagement, and placement support in partnership with dedicated vocational staff; the Full Cycle track combines employer cultivation and placement with direct participant case management, owning the relationship from job readiness through placement. The role is in person, with staff expected to report to a CEO site because most participant interactions take place in person. It is part-time, up to 20 hours per week, and expects production of up to five monthly placements.

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people recently released from incarceration. The Employment Specialist works with participants, employers, and criminal justice partners to connect participants with appropriate work opportunities, while supporting CEO's placement goals and contractual obligations. The position also involves documenting activity in Salesforce and supporting site operations. CEO encourages applications from people with lived experience of incarceration or involvement in the justice system.

The listed salary is $47,800. CEO says its compensation determination considers factors including experience, internal equity, and home office location. Benefits include medical and dental coverage, professional development and training (including Motivational Interviewing training), paid parental leave, retirement plan participation, sick and vacation leave, and paid holidays. The organization also promotes continual learning and teamwork through activities such as lunch-and-learns, team outings, and holiday gatherings.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience in workforce development, recruitment, or sales/account management in a role requiring regular performance-goal attainment.
• Skill in networking and cultivating lasting relationships with people and businesses, including explaining how CEO’s work can support business strategy and goals.
• Experience using data or market research to guide practice and decision-making.
• Commitment to CEO’s mission and interest in working in a fast-growing, results-oriented nonprofit environment.
• Interest in re-entry or criminal justice reform and passion for helping people achieve career goals through accountability and empathy.
• Ability to provide feedback and support that develops participant knowledge and skills.
• Ability to anticipate, evaluate, and solve problems.
• Ability to consider and analyze different perspectives and data to form an appropriate contextual perspective.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt to different personalities and interaction styles.
• Self-motivation, diligence, resilience, and stamina; ability to meet deadlines and outcomes despite adversity or setbacks.
• Comfort working under pressure and meeting deadlines despite opposition or setbacks.
• Strong organization and time-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities or seek prioritization support when needed.
• Comfort learning new technologies adopted or implemented by the organization.

Responsibilities

• Envision, develop, and implement a strategic plan for local-office placement services that supports CEO’s participant placement metrics.
• Review existing business partnerships, evaluate employer demand and use of CEO services, and identify improvements and ways to leverage employer relationships.
• Meet weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual placement goals in line with CEO’s contractual obligations.
• Research prospective employers, conduct outreach, and build relationships with employers whose hiring needs match participant skills, experience, and interests.
• Maintain relationships with existing employer partners.
• Schedule and conduct daily prospecting, cold calls, and face-to-face meetings.
• Serve as liaison among employers, participants, and criminal justice partners.
• Screen and match participants with employment opportunities based on their skills, work experience, interests, goals, and aspirations.
• Customize participant resumes for identified job opportunities.
• Support and coach participants as they apply for jobs, navigate hiring, and seek suitable employment; the Full Cycle track also manages the participant relationship throughout placement.
• For the Account Specialist track, provide placement support in partnership with assigned vocational staff and communicate employer requirements and opportunity details to support accurate matching.
• For the Full Cycle track, manage a participant caseload and serve as the primary point of contact throughout the placement process.
• Document participant and employer contacts, activities, and outcomes in Salesforce.
• Support the Site Director with administrative and operational duties to help ensure smooth site operations.
• Perform other assigned job-related duties and responsibilities.
• Lead activities within or across offices related to role outcomes or office needs, such as case conferencing responsibilities.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Professional development opportunities and training, including regular Motivational Interviewing training
• Paid parental leave
• Retirement plan participation
• Sick leave
• Vacation leave
• Paid holidays
• Lunch-and-learns, team outings, and holiday gatherings

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed