Career Development Specialist

Special

Note:

This Career Development Specialist position is a single incumbent, limited term position funded by the Jobs Plus Grant. The funding of the grant is anticipated to end in 2030. The posted salary is an estimate of the potential annual pay. Final offer will be dependent on qualifications and experience. Anticipated Hiring Pay Scale:
Candidates will start at step one of an eight step salary range unless there are special exceptions in accordance with agency Personnel Rules.

PROGRAM SUMMARY Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Jobs Plus Initiative empowers residents of Nickerson Gardens with employment‑related services, supportive services and community supports for work via a Community Coaching model to assist with navigating the bureaucracies of accessing services and assistance with life management. Nickerson Gardens is the largest Public Housing Development west of the Mississippi River and is located in the community of Watts which is in South Los Angeles.

Nickerson Gardens is a 68.6 acre‑site with 1,066 units of which 3,146 are residents. Approximately 71% live at or below the poverty line including those who are working. The Jobs Plus grant is a 54‑month grant (beginning in Aug. 2019) intended to solely focus on the residents of Nickerson Gardens and includes financial incentives to work as part of the program model.

In addition, Jobs Plus builds upon other investments occurring in Watts which includes the Watts/Los Angeles America's Jobs Center of California (AJCC), which provides vocational services and job placement, the Transforming Climate Communities grant which is a State grant designed to address the most impacted communities affected by pollution to determine goals, strategies and projects to enact transformational change for the betterment of environmental, educational, health, and housing initiatives and the Jordan Downs redevelopment.

All of these investments are led by HACLA in collaboration with other partners.

Characteristics of the Class: Under general supervision of the Jobs Plus Program Manager, the Jobs Plus Career Development Specialist will be responsible for performing career development activities for residents of the Nickerson Gardens Public Housing Development. The incumbent will work alongside with on‑site staff to carry out the goals of Individual Employment Plans all while ensuring active communication with Job Training providers and employers to monitor client progress.

Additionally, the incumbent in the position will coordinate with Community Coaches on outreach and engagement activities and work with the Jobs Plus Program Manager on collaborative opportunities for Nickerson Gardens residents with other Watts‑wide initiatives, including coordinating with the Watts/Los Angeles Work Source Center. Special emphasis is placed on career development activities and the implementation of community support for work at the beginning, during and post-employment so that clients and employers have access to the resources necessary to ensure success in the workplace;

this includes but is not limited to providing access to ongoing financial literacy, family supports, continued education, small business grants/loans and acting as a recruiter and facilitator between employers and Jobs Plus clients.

• Organize, develop and supervise career development, outreach and job placement activities, including but not limited to on-the-job training, skill-specific training, permanent and/or part-time job placements for Nickerson Gardens residents' youths and adults.
• Participate in staff, collaborative and resident site-meetings to report out on progress and to advertise job opportunities.
• Collaborate with…