Workforce Development Specialist

Community Health Action of Staten Island•New York, NY

8d•$46,300 - $51,300•Onsite

About The Position

Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI) supports vulnerable individuals, families, and communities through health, recovery, and social services. Its Next Step Resource and Recovery Center offers peer-driven services including recovery sessions, counseling and case management, overdose prevention, harm reduction, housing assistance, Recovery Coach training, and community outreach. The Center operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Workforce Development Specialist supports staff, clients, and community members pursuing careers in the substance use disorder profession. The role builds skills and assists with employment for positions such as Certified Recovery Peer Advocate, SUD Counselor, and SUD Care Navigator. Participants may include Center employees, Peer Training Institute clients, and people exploring career options. The Specialist also works with employers and workforce organizations to expand access to entry-level substance use disorder positions.

Requirements

At least two years of experience working in addiction and substance use disorders.
At least one year of experience in workforce development.
Experience facilitating skills-based training and support groups.
Demonstrated ability or commitment to working effectively and sensitively with clients from diverse backgrounds, including ethnic, cultural, and sexual minorities.
Knowledge of harm reduction and trauma-informed practices, philosophy, and interventions.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong organizational skills, and computer skills.
Computer literacy in word processing and email, and ability to navigate the internet.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as psychology, mental health counseling, or social work is preferred.

Responsibilities

Support facilitation of courses in the Peer Training Institute.
Provide ongoing client engagement training for CHASI peer staff.
Deliver group curriculum on job applications, references, interviews, resumes, cover letters, employment gaps, and job-search skills.
Accept and process applications for employment and training initiatives.
Help clients plan strategically for entry-level and substance use disorder sector employment.
Collaborate with government and private workforce organizations and employment training systems to facilitate client access.
Build and maintain relationships with employers seeking substance use disorder professionals and support employer referrals for clients.
Identify weekly sector-specific job leads using employment search engines and refer them to job seekers.
Schedule and conduct weekly individual job-search coaching sessions according to clients’ career development plans.
Provide career coaching, professional portfolio development, and employment referrals to a caseload of Peer Training Institute graduates.
Update and refer graduates to the active graduate resource list to support employment and recovery retention outcomes.
Reconnect with displaced graduates or graduate job seekers and connect them with in-house housing support, temporary work contract opportunities, and career development support.
Conduct monthly outreach to graduates to support retention and collect retention information.
Collaborate with Next Step Center staff to support peer employment retention.
Document client engagement in the electronic health record and staff training activity in the agency’s online training system.
Perform duties in alignment with CHASI’s mission, vision, and core values, and complete other duties as assigned.