Employment Specialist- Group Homes

Location: New York

Reporting to the Director of Workforce and Employment Initiatives, the Employment Specialist’s position is full-time, working collaboratively in a fun, team-oriented, mission-focused and goal driven environment, to expose and transition the mindset of the youth within our foster homes into trauma informed, career ready, financially stable, professionally confident individuals. Through career readiness workshops, one on one sessions, community partnership development and meticulous data tracking, the Employment Specialist plays a vital role in the transitional process of the youth we service.

Upon the successful completion a 90 probationary period, this role will be eligible to participate in a hybrid schedule; reporting three days in-office and two days remote.

Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities of Position:

Through the use of motivational interviewing and a holistic, student-centered approach, provide consistent,high-quality employment-focused engagements to ensure that youth in group home settings are motivated, qualified candidates ready for the trainings and job opportunities they seek.

Provide impactful group and individual engagement services, as well as facilitating employment driven workshops within each Supportive Housing Residence, in person and virtually.

Develop and maintain a structured participant engagement schedule, ensuring that all youth are contacted at least bi-weekly throughout their career pathway journey. Youth with more immediate employment, internship, or training needs should receive weekly or daily follow-up and support, as appropriate, to promote successful outcomes and timely placement.

Through the YA-WORC screening methods, prepare youth for HSVS internships, SYEP and job/career opportunities with employers.

Advertise, sign-up and oversee all youth who participate in the (in-house) internship program (Go-Getters), attend all in-person and virtual meetings related to the (MIP)
Mentored Internship Program, along with WLG (Work Learn Grow).Sign up eligible youth for SYEP (Summer Youth Employment Program) and place them within various departments throughout the agency.

Weekly, update the Workforce development tracker that captures touchpoints for all Heart Share youth who receive support from the WFD team.

Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records by documenting services and completing real-time data entry into designated systems and trackers to support service delivery, reporting, and compliance requirements.

Develop marketing materials and actively take part in outreach methods to ensure youth are informed, aware and excited about upcoming job fairs, vocational trainings, professional developments, career readiness workshops and any other workforce development related event.

Attend all Youth Development events, meetings and programs.

Provide non-judgmental support to youth to help them achieve their vocational, educational, and employment goals.

Build trust, generate interest and develop strong working relationships with youth within the homes.

Help youth and young adults create their short and long-term employment goals through a realistic, accountability driven scope.

Attend all ACS, Fair Futures and HSVS trainings (both in-person and virtually)
Ensure all students have a completed EPC (Employment Portfolio Checklist) before being sent out on job interviews/internships. Each EPC indicates that a student has successfully completed their resume, template cover letter and thank you letter, a mock interview, and has proper interview attire.

Employment Specialists are expected to meet a quarterly job placement target for connecting youth to permanent employment opportunities. Placement goals will be established by management and may be adjusted based on…