Employment Specialist (WEMPSPEC-01)

New Freedom's Career•Phoenix, AZ

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join New Freedom – Where Second Chances Become Bright Futures. At New Freedom, we don’t just believe in second chances—we help people thrive because of them. We are a mission-driven, high-performance organization committed to strengthening communities and empowering justice-involved and formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully rebuild their lives. We move fast, expect a lot from each other, and show up every day to do meaningful, impactful work. If you’re driven, collaborative, and energized by making a real difference— this is where you belong. The Employment Specialist supports members in obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment by providing job-readiness services, career coaching, placement assistance, workforce development support, and employment retention services. Working closely with internal teams, employer partners, and community resources, this position helps members overcome barriers, build confidence, and successfully transition into the workforce. This role is ideal for someone who: Is passionate about helping individuals achieve financial independence and stability, Enjoys coaching, mentoring, and motivating others, Thrives in a fast-paced, relationship-driven environment, Enjoys building partnerships between individuals and employers, Believes in second chances and the power of meaningful employment, Wants to make a direct impact on recovery, reentry, and long-term success.

Requirements

Must be 21 years of age or older
High school diploma or GED required
Minimum two years of experience in workforce development, employment services, behavioral health, case management, vocational rehabilitation, human services, or a related field
Strong communication, coaching, motivational interviewing, and relationship-building skills
Strong organizational and documentation skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, internet-based platforms, and Electronic Health Record systems
Ability to work effectively with individuals involved in recovery, reentry, behavioral health, and other underserved populations

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Criminal Justice, Workforce Development, Business, or a related field preferred
Experience working with justice-involved, recovery, reentry, or behavioral health populations preferred
Experience in staffing, recruiting, vocational rehabilitation, workforce services, job development, or employment placement preferred
Knowledge of local labor markets, workforce resources, and employment programs preferred
Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP), PRSS, or related certification preferred

Responsibilities

Meeting individually with members to assess employment goals, skills, interests, strengths, and barriers
Developing individualized employment plans to support career and workforce success
Assisting members with resumes, applications, cover letters, and job-search activities
Providing interview preparation, mock interviews, and employment coaching
Connecting members with employers, hiring events, workforce development opportunities, and community resources
Supporting members throughout the application, hiring, onboarding, and employment retention process
Helping members address barriers related to transportation, work clothing, identification, technology, background concerns, and other employment challenges
Collaborating with treatment teams, re-entry staff, vocational specialists, and employer partners to support successful employment outcomes