Direct Service Worker, Employment Specialist

Direct Service Worker

Join a mission-driven team. LSS Center for New Americans seeks a Direct Service Worker to assist new Americans in securing employment. If you enjoy engaging with diverse cultures and have a passion for your community, we invite you to apply! #YouareLSS

Hours:

Full-time, 40 hours, Monday-Friday. Requires some evening and weekend work.

Location:

300 E 6th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57103

Benefits: LSS is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.

• $600 hiring bonus
  * external candidates only
• PTO Time Frontload Up to 24 Hours for benefit-eligible employees
• 8 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) 3% match
• Four Wellmark BCBS medical plan options with HSA & FSA options
• Dental and Vision plans
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family
• Career development opportunities, hands-on training, and mentorship
• Employee Assistance Program

Responsibilities:

• Assist new Americans in searching for, applying for, obtaining, and retaining employment that aligns with their skills, experience, education, and career goals.
• Conduct client intake and assessments to identify employment needs and establish short- and long-term goals.
• Assist clients with developing resumes and cover letters, completing job applications, preparing for interviews, and navigating the job search process.
• Provide mock interviews and coaching on interview etiquette, communication, and effective interview techniques.
• Offer training and support with computer use, online job searches, applications, and other employment-related technology.
• Assist clients in navigating community resources and services that support employment, self-sufficiency, and successful community integration.
• Provide logistical support to help newly arrived individuals obtain important documents and access necessary services.
• Maintain professional and confidential communication with clients and maintain accurate, timely, and complete client records.
• Complete required paperwork and ensure documents, receipts, and client records are properly scanned, uploaded, and maintained.
• Travel throughout the Sioux Falls area to meet client and program needs.

• Support the LSS relationship with diverse communities throughout Sioux Falls by developing and maintaining positive relationships with community members, resource partners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain opportunities for continued engagement with youth, families, business owners, and community organizations to promote information sharing, support, understanding, and trust.
• Collaborate with community partners and Center for New Americans staff to plan and implement healthy, inclusive, and engaging activities and events that support youth and families.
• Help ensure youth programs are responsive to the needs of Sioux Falls' diverse communities, particularly individuals and families who have arrived in the United States within the past five years.
• Support newly arrived youth in developing connections with peers and becoming integrated into established communities.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources and services available to youth and their families and make appropriate referrals.
• Assist youth and families in accessing information and resources related to post-secondary education, GED programs, alternative high school options, extracurricular activities, summer school, employment opportunities, and other educational and social supports.
• Encourage youth to identify and pursue opportunities that support their educational, employment, personal, and social goals.

Qualifications:

Bi-lingual skills strongly preferred, but not required.

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field, plus one to two years related experience is required.
• Equivalent combination of some higher education and experience.
• Basic computer skills of Outlook, Word, Adobe, Salesforce and Excel. The ability to operate general office equipment (i.e. phone, fax, copy machine, PC) is required.
• Must be at least 21 years of age, is required.
• Willingness to submit to record checks to detect criminal convictions of behavior harmful towards children, spousal abuse, distributing drugs or sex crimes.
• Requires a valid auto-insurance, a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one with approved driver status.
• Travel is occasionally…