WFD Program Specialist

ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE • Chicago, IL

13d • $24 - $24 • Hybrid

About The Position

Erie Neighborhood House has provided comprehensive support to immigrant and low-income families in Chicago, evolving to meet their needs. Today, Erie House is a modern social service nonprofit with programming in children and youth, mental health and community wellness, adult education and training, legal services, and more. Through these programs, we empower individuals to build powerful communities. This role focuses on workforce development, including outreach, recruitment, training, and job support for participants.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of two years of experience providing workforce case management to immigrants, career changers, and/or youth.
• Experience with creating and providing feedback on resumes and mock interviews.
• Strong oral communication skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish mandatory.
• Professional writing skills and ability to assist with some grant writing.
• Comfortable and confident with public speaking.
• Ability to build connections with employers, participants, and volunteers; confident with networking skills.
• Flexibility with work schedule.
• Ability to travel around Chicago.
• Must be available for occasional evening and weekend events.
• Ability to travel between West Town, Little Village, and other work sites.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute recruitment strategies to engage eligible adults in workforce programs.
• Participate in community outreach events and job fairs.
• Administer skill level tests for participating adults.
• Provide structured orientations for adults to set expectations.
• Research and conduct outreach in prime venues, events, or community areas to increase enrollment into workforce bridge programs.
• Case manage participants actively involved in workforce development programs to ensure completion of postsecondary training and industry-related job placement.
• Guide participants in exploring training and employment pathways.
• Educate and assist participants with resume and cover letter creation.
• Coordinate program events such as career expos, job fairs, and field trips.
• Assist participants with addressing barriers to training completion or employment.
• Lead curriculum delivery, interactive activities, and workforce development training.
• Maintain active communication with employers and clients during their first year of employment.
• Conduct regular retention client support (check-ins at 30, 90, 120 days).
• Track employment details in required databases.
• Collect and process participant timesheets and payroll documentation securely.
• Develop and connect with industry-related employers and training institutes.
• Share job leads, workshops/events, and scholarship opportunities with participants and follow up with outcomes.
• Maintain the clothing closet, ensuring it is clean, stocked, and organized.
• Attend workshops and meetings relevant to the position.
• Support the Program Manager in organizing job fair events.
• Develop flyers, brochures, and other materials to advertise job placement activities.
• Coordinate and distribute information and materials for meetings, assist in planning agendas, and assist with meeting set-up.
• Maintain current committee member lists for various committees.
• Engage in collaborative efforts among the team.
• Provide updated reports to the program manager.

Benefits

• Compensation of $24.04/hour
• Work/life integration
• Generous paid time off (12 accrued sick days per year, 3 personal days, paid birthday off, 8 paid holidays including Juneteenth, paid week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day)
• Vacation: Year 1 = 8 days, Year 2 = 13 days, Year 3+ = 20 days
• Access to alternative and flexible work schedules and personal leave, where possible
• Two-weeks fully paid Parental Leave, for eligible employees
• Time off for school conferences and activities
• Bereavement leave
• Professional Development: Employer-sponsored learning and development programs, Paid day off annually for personal professional development
• Tuition Assistance & Debt Relief Program, as budget allows
• Wellness support: Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Voluntary life and AD&D
• Short and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, vision, and dependent care
• 403b with employer match
• Employee Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level