Employment and Stabilization Specialist

Boston, MA, United States

Employment and Stabilization Specialist

Department: Workforce Development

Office: 444 Harrison Avenue

Location: Boston, MA

Position Type: Administrative

Hours/Shift: Morning - First Shift

Employee Type:: Regular Full-time

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SCHEDULE: 40 hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, some flexibility required

Pays $24.04 per hour DOE

LOCATION : 444 Harrison Ave, Boston MA 02118

JOBDESCRIPTION:

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Employment and Stabilization Specialist provides employment related services to achieve job placement, retention, and career advancement aligned with individuals- economic security goals. Develops and cultivates relationships with prospective employers to solicit commitments to hire Pine Street Inn trainees. Maintains trainee records, collects and enters data, and prepares reports within established protocols and timeframe. This individual will help to develop the Alumni Career Network for graduates of the training program to have a safe and supportive environment to network with employers, staff and fellow alumni.

The Employment and Stabilization Specialist is responsible for:

+ Finding and retaining employment for PSI trainees.

+ Providing career coaching and job placement activities and services to the trainees in all Pine Street Inn job training programs, including the Food Services and Housekeeping Programs

+ Delivers career-ready skills training to the job training participants to support successful completion of training and job search.

+ Builds and maintains relationships with employers to meet program goals related to job placement

Oversees activities that include, but are not limited to external internship and a mentorship program.

REQUIREMENTS:

QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for a self-starter who is compassionate and has a good disposition, is flexible, pays attention to safety, is professional and shows initiative. Also important is someone who is focused on job quality and continued improvement, is tolerant, and is committed to department unity and teamwork.

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

REQUIRED:

+ Bachelor-s degree, plus 2 or more years of employment counseling experience in workforce development, job training, adult education, or human services

OR

+ High school diploma plus minimum of 5 years employment counseling experience in workforce development, job training, adult education, or human services

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED:

+ Two to five years of experience in a related field, depending on education level (see Education/Training Section for details)

+ High degree of cultural sensitivity and experience working effectively in a diverse environment

+ Knowledge of workforce development principles, theories, and practices, especially as relating to populations with significant barriers to obtaining and sustaining employment

+ Experience in developing partnerships with external agencies and resources

+ Experience with establishing priorities, implementing plans, and meeting deadlines

+ Experience using a creative problem-solving mindset with regard to addressing the barriers affecting vulnerable adults, including: mental health and/or substance use issues, homelessness, chronic unemployment, limited education, and housing instability

PREFERRED:

+ Prior experience providing job placement services specifically to adults experiencing homelessness or adults experiencing mental health and/or substance use issues

+ Experience in creating and conducting workshops, developing presentations, and project facilitation

+ Bilingual: Spanish and English

MENTAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

REQUIRED:

+ Highly developed organizational skills, excellent written and verbal skills required

+ Strong computer skills including familiarity with information management or database programs required

+ Ability to resolve conflicts diplomatically, to be decisive and to make professional judgments

+ Ability to create and maintain reports for program management, partners, and funders

+ Ability to create and deliver presentations further to managing or extending relationships with funders, external partners, and internal program management and leadership

+ Temperament to provide counsel to individuals with untreated mental illness and substance use issues around vocational and employment issues

PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

REQUIRED:

+ Ability to sit for long periods of time; use computer, calculator, fax, copier and other office equipment

+ Ability to access different building locations and program sites

+ Ability to meet with external partners and funders in the greater Boston area

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

+ Job Placement Functions:

+ Evaluates the trainees- education, training, work history, interests, and skills to develop a successful employment plan outlining the steps necessary to remove barriers and obtain and sustain employment.

+ Meets individually with trainees to provide career counseling to promote and support employment choices consistent with trainees- vocational goals, interests, and skills.

+ Provides follow up services to maximize job retention, facilitates wage progression, and further education.

+ Works with program staff to identify needs of and plan services for trainees with higher barriers to employment stability, including referrals to community agencies.

+ Provides information and referrals to educational/training programs and other community based organizations- programs and monitors outcomes.

+ Collaborates with PSI program staff and clinicians to identify job opportunities and services that will help higher-need trainees obtain medical, mental health, and other services that will support trainees- self-care and recovery from substance use disorders and mental illness.

+ Develops and operates industry-specific classes for information dissemination and career opportunities to increase trainee-s awareness about various career opportunities.

+ Explores and develops pilot programming to further the success of trainees and deepen the services available to ensure their success

+ Responsible for the entry, maintenance and quality of all data and records regarding placement and status.

+ Opportunity Development Functions:

+ Researches and identifies job leads, designs and monitors job match and permanent placement processes. Develops and maintains contacts with local businesses resulting in identification and creation of competitive job placement opportunities for trainees.

+ Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current workforce development trends, local labor market information, industry specific job listings, and industry specific qualifications and job skills requirements.

+ Analyzes and reports on trends relevant to program and trainee success

+ Proactively identifies employers, government agencies, and external agencies who can serve as partners in providing better depth of service for trainees

+ Promotes Pine Street-s job training programs when speaking with potential employers. Serves as a leader in developing and implementing plans to strengthen the relationship with the business community and the trades.

+ Adopts and promotes a -dual customer- approach that understands and meets the needs of both parties involved in workforce development, the trainees and the employers (clients). Maintains a clear set of boundaries and professional ethics, with transparent communication to trainees and employers/external partners.

+ Works with Pine Street Inn volunteer and development teams to support corporate and other external partner relationships, including volunteer and donor opportunities.

+ Educates employers about Federal Bonding and tax credit programs.

+ Develops and maintains job bank postings in response to job training graduates.

+ Researches and explores new sources of complementary services, programming, funding, and collaboration in furtherance of program goals

+ Job Coaching/Trainee Support Functions:

+ Provides vocationally-oriented case management services to trainees throughout the term of their participation in the program. Must demonstrate creative problem solving abilities sufficient to navigate unique situations, dynamics, and logistics.

+ When required, implements behavioral support plan and have the ability to discuss the trainees- values, attitudes and beliefs. Explore ways of overcoming barriers and setbacks and must be able to offer counseling and guidance as issues arise.

+ Conducts daily walk-throughs within Pine Street Inn-s social enterprises to engage and observe performance. Follow-up on a timely and consistent basis on both positive reviews and areas for growth and improvement.

+ Creates a safe and comfortable atmosphere that fosters a full sense of acceptance, and appreciation for trainees, in order for them to open up and address issues.

+ Collaborates with the Workforce Development and Training Coordinator and teach workshops that includes the following topics: Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, Communication with Employers, etc.

+ Collaborates with Workforce Development and Training Coordinator and other members of the WFD team for seamless transfer of information and employment goals for each trainee.

+ Links trainees to programs and services operated by Pine Street Inn.

+ Consults with other program staff in support of providing job coaching to trainees with more significant barriers to employment, in order to assure -warm handoff- in referral to ancillary services, and to develop trauma-informed coaching plan

+ Makes referrals to community resource providers to assist trainees in stabilizing issues of housing, health and income security.

+ Follows up with trainees to reinforce community resource provider referrals. Responsible for ensuring timely follow up in support of trainees with all outside service providers

+ Counsels other staff with regard to best practices in assisting participants with significant barriers to employment stability

+ Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

+ Working with the WFD team, spearheads the development of the Alumni Career Network for graduates of the training program. Responsibilities will include the following: organizing calendar of dates (3 events per annum), employer panels, food and incentives, outreach to graduates, and day-of event coordination.

+ Documents trainee progress and capture accurate information, using case management software tools and best documentation practices.

+ Works cooperatively and help create a sense of teamwork with all food service staff, the Food Services and Housekeeping staff and students, the volunteer department staff and programs.

+ Adheres to all Pine Street Inn policies and procedures. These include but are not limited to Pine Street Inn-s personnel policies, standard operating procedures established by OSHA, the Dept. of Public Health (State and Federal guidelines).

+ Consistently seeks and takes advantage of learning opportunities to support trainees and self in advancement of program goals and career development.

+ Supports Workforce Development and Training Coordinator with applicant interviews and orientation

+ Assists in the supervision of the Northeastern co-op student who support the Workforce Development Team. May be involved in the interview and selection process.

+ Meets all required performance standards including established monthly outcomes.

+ Adheres to and reinforces the Program Operating Procedures.

+ Performs other related duties as assigned.

INTERNAL CANDIDATES, IF INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE SUBMIT A PROMOTION/TRANSFER APPLICATION TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF POSTING.

Pine Street Inn is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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