Voc Electives Specialist (WVOCELSPC-04) (Saturday - Tuesday)

New Freedom's Career•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Vocational Electives Specialist focuses primarily on developing curriculum and supporting member electives and workplace skills in partnership with Vocational Supervisors and the Vocational Director. The role also serves as a peer role model by demonstrating personal recovery and effective coping skills, particularly in relation to workplace re-entry. The specialist advocates for members and provides supportive information and peer support in outpatient and inpatient settings. Drawing on recovery and/or work-related experience, the specialist provides case-management support and resources within vocational programming, with an emphasis on building vocational skills and helping members obtain full-time employment upon graduation. The position facilitates vocational electives and workforce-readiness classes at a women’s facility. Work takes place across classroom, vocational training, behavioral health, office, and community-based environments. Depending on the vocational specialty, instruction may occur in classrooms, workshops, training areas, kitchens, trade-focused workspaces, or community locations. The role involves frequent interaction with members and partners, regular instruction and hands-on learning, use of computers and training and documentation resources, and occasional travel to employers and community or workforce events. The position may require standing, walking, demonstrating skills, presenting, and carrying materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
Experience in professional business operations, management, entrepreneurship, administration, customer service, sales, or workforce development.
Experience teaching, leading, coaching, mentoring, or facilitating groups.
Knowledge of workplace professionalism, professional and business presentation, and career development.
Lived recovery experience and a strong commitment to recovery-oriented services.
Peer and Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) certification.
Behavioral Health Paraprofessional (BHPP) designation, including applicable experience and/or education requirements.
Minimum two years of experience in workforce development, employment services, behavioral health, case management, vocational rehabilitation, human services, or a related field.
Ability to lift, carry, move, or transport training materials, classroom supplies, tools, equipment, or instructional resources weighing up to 20 pounds.
Ability to support individuals experiencing vocational, employment, behavioral health, recovery, or reentry-related challenges while maintaining professionalism, appropriate boundaries, and a recovery-oriented approach.

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.
Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) designation, including applicable experience and/or education requirements.
Experience working with justice-involved, recovery, reentry, or behavioral health populations.
Experience in job development, staffing, recruiting, workforce services, or employment placement.
Knowledge of local labor markets, workforce resources, and employment services.
Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP), PRSS, or related certification.

Responsibilities

Facilitate vocational electives and workforce-readiness classes at the women’s facility.
Teach foundational business, customer service, and workplace professionalism skills and standards.
Track member participation, progress, and skill development.
Collaborate with workforce development and treatment teams to support member success.
Develop curriculum and support member electives and workplace skills in partnership with Vocational Supervisors and the Vocational Director.
Serve as a role model by demonstrating personal recovery and coping skills, particularly those related to workplace re-entry.
Advocate for members and provide supportive information and peer support in outpatient and inpatient settings.
Provide case-management support and resources within vocational programming to develop members’ vocational skills and support their pursuit of full-time employment upon graduation.
Maintain accurate documentation and program participation records.
Support members as they transition toward employment, education, apprenticeships, certifications, or career advancement opportunities.