Reentry Employment Specialist

Hope Solutions•Pleasant Hill, CA

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

Hope Solutions, founded in 1991, is a non-profit agency dedicated to providing permanent housing and support services to homeless or at-risk individuals and families in Contra Costa County. The organization envisions a world where everyone has a home and community support to live with dignity. Hope Solutions is committed to excellence, integrity, respect, compassion, and humility in its mission to heal the effects of poverty and homelessness. The Reentry Employment Specialist role is crucial in supporting clients enrolled in the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) program, helping them increase household income through employment and education.

Requirements

Passion for and demonstrated experience successfully supporting vulnerable populations, especially homeless individuals reentering their communities post-incarceration.
Two years experience in the educational and/or employment fields, preferably with clients from vulnerable circumstances.
B.A. degree or substitution of experience for education as follows: Minimum of four years experience in the human services field (with a minimum of two years experience providing vocational support to vulnerable populations, preferably with housing retention barriers such as criminal background, substance abuse, mental health, and/or income challenges).
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
Computer proficiency in the use of Microsoft and database applications.
Must have an operational vehicle, auto insurance, valid California driver’s license, and be willing to drive for work.
Must pass Live Scan screening and TB test.
Ability to climb stairs to make home visits to consumers who live on second or third-floor apartments (without elevators).
Ability to accompany consumers on walks to local resources (grocery store, childcare, parks) up to ½ mile in distance.
Ability to work in a desk setting for up to 3 hours at a time to make calls to consumers, research resources on the internet, and collaborate with community providers via calls/emails.
Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including furnishings for new residents, files, holiday gifts, and food donations.
Ability to drive an automobile and transport oneself and consumers to appointments or meet at consumer homes, including driving at night.

Nice To Haves

Bi-lingual in English/Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide targeted employment and education support for homeless clients enrolled in the BSCC program.
Collaborate with program Reentry Support Specialists and referring Parole agents to provide individualized, intensive, and flexible support.
Assist clients in engaging with opportunities to increase household income through employment.
Assess participants’ employment histories, skills, and educational needs, as well as potential barriers to employment.
Collaboratively create a Household Income/Employment Plan.
Access resources needed to further the goal of increasing household income to remain housed.
Provide services and referrals to educational and/or employment opportunities on an as-needed basis prior to, during, and post-placement.
Deliver all client services using a participant-driven, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach.
Provide services in the community and in the home at the convenience of the program participant.
Offer services designed as short-term support to resolve a housing crisis.
Provide a flexible level of intensity as needed.
Offer warm hand-offs to other providers if clients need further support after becoming stably housed.
Use a Housing First, participant-driven approach for all services.
Maintain awareness of culturally diverse consumer populations and perform duties in a culturally competent manner.
Meet with identified individuals, complete assessments of clients’ employment needs and strengths, and create individualized Education/Employment Plans.
Offer targeted job search and/or educational support based on employment needs assessment.
Provide educational support to assist participants with job readiness, employment retention, and presenting themselves effectively to potential employers.
Assist participants with resumes, interview preparation, skill development, and completing/submitting employment applications.
Communicate and collaborate with the Re-entry Manager to ensure continuity of support.
Maintain key relationships with community service providers such as Contra Costa County Parole and Probation Departments, along with other collaborative agencies.
Develop and maintain relationships with employers, vocational programs, and educational entities and assist participants with connecting to the same.
Provide advocacy with potential employers on clients’ behalf to assist with obtaining and/or maintaining employment.
Create and maintain consistent communication channels between collaborating parties, both verbally and in writing.
Foster and reinforce an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, personal humility, authenticity, backgrounds, and goals.
Participate in and complete the new employee onboarding process, including reading and discussing a chapter in 'The Color of Law'.
Review and commit to the Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging Commitment.
Professionally represent Hope Solutions in all circumstances.
Comply with all legal/ethical professional guidelines for maintaining consumer confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA guidelines, protecting consumer rights, advocating on consumers’ behalf, and assuring consumer safety.
Establish and maintain professional boundaries in working with clients.
Comply with all local, state, and federal regulations, policies, procedures, standards of practice, and outcome requirements of the Supportive Housing Program and Hope Solutions.
Assist with distributing client satisfaction/feedback surveys for all clients served.
Attend all required meetings, including but not limited to Hope Solutions staff, individual supervision, consumer case conferences, and linkage meetings with other agencies.
Ensure timely and accurate data is entered into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Complete required administrative paperwork and reports in a timely and accurate manner.
Perform on-call, after-hours, and backup work for other team members as required.
Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.