Outreach and Retention Specialist, CRED

FORTUNE SOCIETY INC•New York, NY

23d•$27 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Outreach and Retention Specialist will focus on participant recruitment and supporting case managers with program retention under Fortune’s contract with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development’s Community Resources for Employment and Development (CRED) program, which is designed to provide pathways to employment and economic mobility for people who reside in communities where community violence is most prevalent and address the system feedback loop by offering job readiness, training for sustainable and emerging industries, and supported job placement for continued success, coupled with strong wraparound supports and follow up services tailored towards these communities. The Outreach and Retention Specialist, dedicated solely to this program, should have the skills and personality to forge relationships with participants and encourage their participation and continuation in the program by ensuring participants have access to supportive services, especially during the follow up period, in coordination with case management staff. They should also be a “credible messenger” with strong community connections.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
At least 2 years of successful and relevant experience providing services to individuals involved in the criminal legal system
Exceptional attention to detail and talent for accuracy and precision, with strong organizational skills and the ability to facilitate workshops
Adequate computer skills; proficient in Microsoft office: Outlook/365, Word, Excel
Skilled communicator who is able to liaise interdepartmentally, as well as with community partners and stakeholders; Strong writing skills
Administrative experience and strong time management and customer service skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Outlook and Office 365
Ability to apply skills learned from prior work experience, or formal academic training in a related subject area, to the day-to-day project activities
Demonstrated success in being participant-centered, self-motivated with excellent relationship skills
Ability to work a flexible schedule
Ability to work independently and on a team
Responsive to feedback, having the ability to seek support when needed and remain in communication for guidance
Experience and/or desire to work with a diverse population

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Responsibilities

Recruit, screen, and enroll participants into the program, including assisting participants in completing program applications and modifying their resumes
Assess career interests and aptitudes, guiding participants toward the most suitable transitional work placement sites
Act as an intermediary between interns and employers to resolve workplace issues and promote successful completion
Collect documentation related to employment retention and distribute incentives to participants sharing employment outcomes
Regularly document all retention outcomes in Client Record Management system, and work with the Program Director to ensure data quality is accurate to support with reporting to internal and external stakeholders
Complete timely and accurate documentation of all services
Co-facilitate weekly Job Club Sessions for transitional work program participants and assist the Program Director with regularly updating the curriculum as needed to enhance the program model
Participate in collaborative meetings with Employment Services’ staff to assess participant progress and plan services
Co-facilitate transitional work program orientations
Visit participant work sites to understand behaviors in various settings and hear feedback from employer host sites
Review employer and participant feedback and performance reports, identify barriers to participant success in the program, and provide coaching and support to promote attendance, safe behavior, and effective participation in job club sessions and transitional employment
Screen current interns throughout the internship to determine if they will be ready to seek employment post completion of the internship and communicate feedback with their assigned Case Manager and the Program Director
Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and program performance guidelines as outlined by the Program Director
Ensure records are accurate, maintained, and updated regularly to align with ongoing changes
Assist with administrative tasks, such as updating referral trackers, data entry, reporting, typing, filing, and scheduling appointments
Support with creating, revising, and editing resumes to include Fellowship experience for placement support
Maintain regular phone, email, and in-person communication with participants and supervision officers who are making referrals to Fortune; document all pertinent discussions, events, and incidents in real-time in the agency database system(s) (within 24 hours)
Perform other duties as assigned