Employment Specialist

Employment Specialist - Charleston, South Carolina

Department: Career Coach

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Charleston, South Carolina

Concordance’s reentry program is designed to dramatically reduce recidivism by helping individuals with justice involvement lead meaningful, abundant, and joyful lives. Our holistic, evidence-based model offers a wide range of services - therapy, case management, yoga, behavioral health and substance use recovery groups, spiritual care, life skills, medical care, education, and job readiness. Each participant is formally supported by our Care Team for a full year, ensuring stability and long-term success.

Now operating in Missouri, South Carolina, and Virginia, Concordance is a national leader in compassionate, innovative reentry care.

The Employment Specialist plays a critical role in the success of our participants. Employment Specialist works directly with participants to facilitate education, prepare participants for long-term career success and provide support in securing employment. This role participates in employer outreach, delivers classroom-based education, one-on-one coaching, and supports participants with successful employment throughout the program.

• Teach standard curriculum and develop enrichment activities that enhance participant learning
• Assess participant knowledge and job readiness through formal and informal assessments and classroom observations
• Guide participants on career planning; make recommendations for continuing education and leverage tools to help the participant identify skills, interests and strengths
• Conducting impactful 1:1 and group sessions, maintaining frequent and supportive participant communication. Meet minimum requirements for 1:1 Sessions.
• Preparing for sessions with participants by reviewing curriculum and participant case notes

• Collaborating closely with participants’ care team, including Case Managers and Therapists, to ensure coordination of services and holistic care delivery
• Documenting participant interactions, progress, and challenges in electronic record system
• Engaging with employed participations to review progress and intercept challenges that may hinder full-time employment
• Attending team meetings and trainings

• Serving as primary point of contact for local employers
• Build relationships with employer networks, chambers, apprenticeships and educational organizations
• Scheduling site tours and employer visits

• Passion for our mission
• Effective intervention skills and expertise in Career Coaching
• Flexibility and adaptability to provide support throughout phases of Concordance’s programming
• Effective communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders
• Skill in documenting interactions in case notes and flagging participant needs
• Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and compassion in all interactions

• CPR / Adult First Aid certification preferred
• Preferred certifications:
  Certified Professional Career Coach and/or Offenders Workforce Development Specialist
• High school degree or equivalent
• Valid, Class E Driver’s License and comfortability transporting groups in a vehicle provided by Concordance

• 2-3 years of workforce development, training, counseling, coaching, and/or experience directly supporting a formerly incarcerated population
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

• To perform this job successfully, an…