Job Placement Resource Specialist

Kinexus Group•Coverage for Kalamazoo & St. Joseph Counties, MI, MI

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Job Placement Resource Specialist is responsible for coordinating employment and social support services for Offender Success participants. Through the Offender Success Program, the Specialist will provide participants with tools and resources to enter suitable, meaningful and long-term employment. The Specialist will analyze the labor market and establish rapport with regional businesses, becoming knowledgeable about employer hiring practices. The Specialist will assist participants with career management services including job readiness, job placement, career planning and social supports.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of training and/or experience OR relative field work or experience in criminal justice, counseling, social work, sociology or related field
Understand the challenges of those individuals’ seeking services who are returning into society after incarceration
Microsoft spreadsheet knowledge
Strong communication skills
Disciplined analytical thinking/ decision making

Nice To Haves

Knowledge or experience related to Criminal Justice or Corrections preferred
Knowledge and experience related to workforce employment and training programs preferred

Responsibilities

Work with participants as well as parole agents, community coordinator, and others to assist with successful job placement and other work-related services and supportive services for participants.
Administer assessments, producing assignments and action plans for participants regarding long-term Economic Stability
Utilize assessments to identify financial assistance needs, educational goals, and employment strengths to establish an action plan for working through barriers and achieving goals.
Routinely work with businesses to verify employment, address any concerns, and determine future suitability for participants.
Understand labor market and in-demand industries for participants being served
Engage and connect with business alliance groups to support and understand employer needs
Partner with Region 8 workforce boards Business Services Team for employer outreach and education
Link participants to training opportunities with local workforce boards, community colleges, training partners and providers
Receive referral from the parole office and conduct all required reporting on the mandated MDOC spreadsheet with each participant’s services, amount spent and overall totals
Create and maintain files with updated case notes marking progress of participant and services utilized
Manage and execute an individually dispersed budget containing training funds and work-related supplies for participants
Purchase state ID’s, Driver’s Licenses, Birth Certificate and other vital documents for participants
Purchase and track bus tokens and passes
Manage and issue food and hygiene kits for participants.
Issue, track and reconcile clothing vouchers issued for participants.
Maintain ongoing communication with participants and awareness of community resources