Employment Specialist

JOB TITLE:
Employment Specialist
DIVISION/DEPARTMENT:
Transitional Housing
REPORTS TO:
Program Director or Designee
SUPERVISES OTHERS:
No
CLASSIFICATIONS:
Permanent, Full-Time, Service Worker
FLSA:
Non-Exempt

POSITION OVERVIEW
Under the general direction of the Program Director, the Employment Specialist provides guidance to families in transitional housing with navigating NYC Human Resources Administration systems and assists with the enrollment of process NYC ACCESS. He/she will partner and network with Workforce One Job Centers and other employment centers to assist clients with obtaining employment. Additionally, the Employment Specialist will complete a vocational assessment, and monitor the client’s progress toward employment/vocational goals. The incumbent will further provide the client with job referrals and functions collaboratively as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary intensive case management team. This work is carried out in support of the mission and goals of Samaritan Daytop Village.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Performs initial vocational assessments for new clients leading to services recommendations included in the Independent Living Plan.
• Performs ongoing comprehensive vocational assessments for clients with recommendations for training/employment goals to be included in the Independent Living Plan.
• Provides ongoing individual/group counseling to clients ultimately employment as part of the permanency plan.
• Records client progress or lack of progress specific to Independent Living Plan vocational goals in charts.
• Functions collaboratively as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary intensive case management team communicating information in case conferences/reviews.
• Deliver informational vocational seminars to clients weekly.
• Refer clients to potential employment options/companies.
• Performs other tasks as required.

REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR SKILLS REQUIRED:
• High School Diploma or Equivalency and two (2+) years of relevant work experience with the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) or other similar city-operated organization.
• Computer literacy including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and EHR.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Working knowledge of community-based training/employment agencies as this will ultimately lead to the creation of job opportunities for program participants.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Team player and ability to exhibit a substantive level of autonomy to work independently.
• Excellent outreach, assessment, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work in the community or field as needed to support the needs of the client.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
None
PREFERRED EDUCATION, LICENSE/CERTIFICATION, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR SKILLS:
• Working knowledge of DHS regulations.
• Knowledge of techniques for identifying and preventing potentially violent behavior, including crisis management techniques.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The work is performed primarily in a transitional setting and/or within the field. A combination of sitting, standing, lifting, and walking is required for large portions of the day. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be able to work at times under stressful conditions and which includes the potential for unpredictable actions and behaviors from clients.