Employment Specialist

The Employment Specialist is responsible for developing employer partnerships to identify job opportunities, market skills and strengths of job seekers, address employer needs and organizational cultures to assist individuals in Employment Services to reach their goal of community employment.

Implements strategies to achieve the goals for the organization and sustains policies, procedures and programs. Typically works on projects and tasks that span 3-12 months.

• Project and Change Management:
  Effectively plans and manages own work to reliably complete routine job responsibilities and special assignments. Periodically serves as a team member or subject matter expert on formal or department projects. Effectively engages in change affecting her/him, communicating appropriately with supervisor. Follows through on learning, skill building, and practice necessary to adapt to change.
• Problem Solving:
  General supervision, regular review of work by manager or senior coworker. May be paired with senior team member for development purposes. Uses skills to solve problems of routine complexity; able to identify root cause, interpret data, and resolve issues.
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Fundamental knowledge of professional principles and skills. Works in compliance with established procedures.
• Community Engagement:
  Serves as an ambassador for Goodwill in the wider community. Participates in volunteer opportunities as schedules and interest permit.
• Develop employer partnerships to identify and customize job opportunities for individuals in the program.
• Market skills and strengths of people served and program support services. Act as liaison with employers, public and private employment agencies and other Goodwill staff to develop job opportunities.
• Evaluate, develop, implement and monitor Individual Service Plans evaluating individual's unique strengths and establishing appropriate goals and objectives for each individual consumer to help them accomplish their goal of community employment and match skills to different vocational interest areas.
• Develop working relationships and collaboration with colleagues across Goodwill business units who are similarly focused on business development, placement or community outreach, identify and pursue job leads for Employment Services individuals; develop the ability to cross sell for other Goodwill business units, in Mission Services and Mission Operations.
• Independently organize and multi‑task weekly activities and requirements to manage a caseload of 30-40 individuals authorized to receive placement services and provide services according to contract including job preparation, development, placement and retention services.
• Maintain all necessary records including Monthly Progress Reports, computer entries (placements, follow‑up and status change, Billing and Employer Job Orders, etc.).
• Provide counseling and guidance in the areas of:
  Career exploration, advocacy, personal grooming, financial, job seeking skills, problem‑solving, community resources, and other resources and areas which may affect employment. Function as a case manager.
• Assist newly employed individuals in the orientation to the firm’s policies, procedures, products, services, standards, fringe benefits, and opportunities.
• Provide on‑the‑job training job coaching support and/or other employment related support services as needed to elicit regular feedback from employers for successful closure and retention services for individuals we serve.
• Provide job retention and systematic instruction services. Target behavior or work conditions that are problematic to the individual consumer and develop a plan to reduce target behavior or remedy the situation on the job.
• Provide educational, problem‑solving/supportive techniques to individual consumers, family members, referral sources and employers to meet workplace needs.
• Communicate and effectively build professional working relationships with the referral and funding sources and significant others to coordinate effective services.
• Promote and market Goodwill programs in the community through transition and provider fairs, employer outreach, site…