ROOTS Pathway Home Specialist

Peckham•Lansing, MI

About The Position

The ROOTS Pathway Home Specialist supports people returning to Lansing from the Ingham County Correctional Facility. The program serves 150 participants through December 31, 2028, enrolling eligible participants 20–270 days before release. While participants are incarcerated, the Specialist helps them create an Individualized Development Plan, identify career interests, participate in employment-readiness activities, and connect with education, training, and credential opportunities. After release, the Specialist supports paid work experiences, employment placement, retention, and progress toward living-wage employment. The Specialist delivers Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Employment (CBI-EMP) in group and individual settings and is responsible for intake, initial goal setting, and social-support services. Services may include crisis intervention, coaching, employment-readiness and life-skills classes, family intervention, and case management. The position coordinates internal and external resources to help participants meet vocational goals. This staff position has no supervisory responsibilities. Peckham states that staff applicants do not need to have a barrier to employment. The position is based in Lansing, Michigan.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 0–2 years of related experience, or 3–5 years of related experience.
Excellent interpersonal skills and knowledge of cultural diversity in the workplace.
Understanding of public policy and applicable human resources laws.
Ability to research and build resources through community partners and Peckham programs.
Competence with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Proficiency in, or ability to learn, OnTime and Workday or another HRIS system.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Must pass and maintain federal and state security background checks.
Ability to obtain instructor access in accordance with Ingham County Correctional Facility policies and guidelines.

Nice To Haves

Degree or professional credential in a related field.
Experience providing clinical support.
Comfort working with diverse populations, including people who were previously incarcerated.
Conflict-management skills and experience.
Effective communication and writing skills.
Mentoring and coaching skills and experience.
Problem-solving skills and a quality focus.
Stress-management abilities.
CBI-EMP Instructor’s Credential.

Responsibilities

Lead intake activities, including managing service requests and referrals, conducting intake appointments, and identifying appropriate enrollments.
Develop and maintain electronic case files for program participants.
Provide person-centered case management to ROOTS Pathway Home participants.
Deliver individual coaching, crisis intervention, and training.
Facilitate employment-readiness curriculum, including CBI-EMP skills, resume development, interview preparation, and life-skills discussions.
Serve as the primary instructor for post-release employment-readiness, CBI, and life-skills classes.
Provide social supports, including help obtaining personal documents and driver’s licenses, housing support, coordination with social-service agencies, and access to public benefits.
Facilitate work experiences and job placements with employer partners.
Coordinate appropriate referrals with program staff and community partners, including Community Mental Health, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Michigan Works!, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Develop and maintain community employment placements and provide follow-up support.
Maintain accurate records of participant progress, engagement, services, and incentives.
Communicate regularly with correctional-facility staff and parole or probation officers to coordinate services and program activities.
Complete a transition plan and provide 12 months of follow-up services for each participant.
Communicate with community agencies and share information about community resources.
Conduct orientation sessions for new participants.
Work with an interdepartmental team to monitor participant progress and improve service quality.
Research and develop community and internal resources to help team members support participant independence and self-sustainability.
May attend community and Peckham events throughout the year.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment.
Assist with training people with disabilities as needed.
Promote Peckham’s vision, values, and services with integrity and ethics.
Assist in maintaining organization-wide quality standards.
Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned.