Employment Specialist Family Matters

EAST OAKLAND COMMUNITY PROJECT•Oakland, CA

5d•$30•Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Specialist is proactive and comprehensive in their approach to assisting heads of household acquire job training/education so they can secure gainful employment. This position is responsible for coordinating workforce development services for an assigned caseload of homeless families living at locations under the Family Matters Emergency Shelter (Family Matters). Workforce development services include support for families in the areas of career development (e.g. education and employment), life skills and enrichment activities.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts degree in career counseling, public health, social work, psychology or related field required, masters preferred
3-5 years' experience working as a vocational counselor with high risk, low income families
Knowledge of career counseling principles and practices
Demonstrated capacity to provide job counseling and job readiness skills at an individual and group level
Experience working with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds
Knowledge of basic counseling and interviewing techniques
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Assessment and referral skills
Demonstrated ability to maintain organized client files
Ability to produce well-written reports, memos and other correspondence in a timely fashion
Ability to work effectively with a team of other professionals and coordinate services/activities with each member, as needed
Demonstrated ability to maintain a calm demeanor and communicate effectively with clients (verbal and written)
Ability to speak clear, concise English
Strong basic math skills required at least at the high school level
Must be able to perform mathematical calculations with a high degree of accuracy
Must be able to exercise good judgment while addressing behavioral and other types of barriers that prevent clients from clarifying their educational/employment goals
Must exhibit good critical thinking skills for use in problem-solving
Ability to utilize multiple sources of information to create comprehensive individual service plans relating to education and employment for clients
Proficiency in using computer software to carry out tasks. Ability to use Microsoft Word and the internet/e-mail to perform key job duties is required
Ability to tutor individuals in basic computer literacy including but not limited to MS Word, file management, using e-mail and the internet
Must have current CPR and Basic First Aid certificates
Valid California driver's license, insurance, and access to an automobile. Proof of insurance and auto registration required
Must be able to dress neatly with a professional appearance when reporting to work
Must be able to model positive behavior, good manners, appropriate dress, social interactions, and appropriate language
This position requires an annual tuberculosis test
Must be able to work under stressful conditions

Responsibilities

Attend and participate in all required staff meetings, weekly supervision meetings and in-service trainings
Must be knowledgeable of the Family Matters Emergency Shelter program guidelines to ensure consistency of approach in holding accountable for program-related activities
Write progress reports and maintain statistics on client activities
Coordinate with other staff to ensure adequate facility coverage
Coordinate with other staff to identify facility and program issues and exercise problem- solving skills to resolve them.
Maintain confidentiality in all matters pertaining to clients and their families
Provide job readiness and employment placements services to families living at the Family Matters shelter weekly or semi-weekly basis
Participate in monthly client case review meetings
Complete educational and vocational assessments for new clients within two weeks of admission into the programs
Evaluate individuals using assessments, interviews, counseling sessions, aptitude and achievement tests and other tools; assists individual adults to understand their abilities, talents, skills, interests and personality characteristics as a pre-cursor to creating realistic educational and employment plans
Assist families with identifying and prioritizing education and employment needs.
Produce a comprehensive individual service plan for every adult client on caseload with realistic goals and objectives and an appropriate timeline
Assist clients with career development activities as well as identifying and applying for jobs which includes but is not limited to the review, revision, or creation of resume's, improving job interviewing techniques, employment seeking, etc.
Set up and maintain well-organized client case files that include all the appropriate paperwork in designated sections. Ensure that the case management file is linked to the client's employment case file by including assessment, case notes and other important documentation in a separate section
Maintain up-to-date case notes
Coordinate information and services with the staff of both programs to ensure a comprehensive approach to client needs
Write incident reports, warnings and write-ups for program violations
Escort clients to various career and educational related appointments, as needed
Comply with EOCP policy regarding reporting incidents of child abuse, verbal and physical assault, suicide and homicide to the proper authorities
Support aftercare services for clients who have been in good standing subsequent to leaving the program
Perform other duties, as assigned
Develop and implement programs related to topics including but not limited to job readiness, money management, and other related topics.
Establish and maintain program files that include educational and employment resources, curriculums, and other important program materials (Resource Binder/Files)
Compile and review local, state and national occupational, educational and economic information to assist clients in creating realistic educational and employment goals
Establish working relationships with vocational/career counselors and administrators in the local adult education, junior college and university systems to monitor academic and social progress of clients
Conduct presentations of the Family Matters program to other vocational nonprofit or related organizations for development of possible collaboration/ partnerships or client referral
Coordinate and/or participate in career fairs and similar activities to facilitate job placement, internships, apprenticeships and volunteer opportunities for clients
Recruit mentors to assist clients with their career and educational goals
Provide services and follow-up in a timely fashion to clients
Create and maintain a client case file system to ensure adequate documentation of services provided
Maintain the job/educational library, computers, community bulletin board(s), storage for program supplies, etc.
Provide computer support to ensure all adult clients are computer literate