Retention Specialist - 3914

In this diverse role, the Retention Specialist is responsible for keeping track of the progression of all successful participants placed into employment. This includes follow-up and retention activities. This requires active involvement with other team members and staff within Workforce Development as well as stakeholders to ensure that program participants successfully achieve employment and retention goals. Candidate will take proactive steps to understand the unique perspective of program participants including their wants, needs, and priorities, to improve their satisfaction with their employment position, maintain employment, career goals, and the engagement of the employer.

Responsibilities 

• Help in the screening and eligibility determination of program participants for employment. This includes the assessment of social skillsand work habits, pre and post-employment. This may include orientation to the job site, counseling, workplace safety, advocacy, and any other required support to program participants.
• Assist in job development with program participant in thinking about long-term employment goals, work history, strengths, employment benefits, and other factors that may affect their current career goals, including career advancement.
• Contact program participants on an ongoing basis placed into employment to verify retention of employment and enter notes in appropriate data management information system within the established timeframes and standards. 
• Provide in-person support during the first month of a new position and at least monthly after
• Establish essential and adaptable retention strategies to increase retention rates. 
• Must be able to secure employment verification documentation for data tracking towards achievement of all retention milestone goals related to contract measures (work site and home visits)
• Timeliness and accuracy of conducted activities and data entry
• Complies with all regulations related to reporting and documentation requirements.
• With empathy and patience, use proactive support and active listening skills to understand program participant concerns using a solution focused approach. 
• Get to the front of issues and provide team feedback on ways to improve participants retention.
• Building positive relationships with program participants and employer partners
• Educate program participants on the value of the services of Jobs Plus
• Maintain ongoing contact with employers to keep track of progress and challenges arising from existing placements.
• Provide effective case management – in support of their independence, identify program participant’s barriers (i.e., eviction, and refer to appropriate resources (internal or external) to overcome barriers; refer program participant to open and available jobs; and provide job placement assistance as it pertains to retention services. 
• Seek out post-employment skills training based on the needs, interests, and abilities of the participants
• Able to accurately track and distribute post-employment incentives and Metro Cards
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with program participants and team members; work independently and as part of a team
• Communicates effectively with community partners and participants' families or their supports to help with retaining employment; including special populations
• Provide reports on outcomes as needed, including evaluations and recommendations. This is to include retention plans to address identified needs of participants
• Participate in relevant departmental meetings, trainings, case conferences, workshops, and events. May require some evening or weekend hours
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications 

• Strong communication skills 
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• High school diploma or GED required. Bachelors preferred 
• 3 years’ experience in a similar role
• Experience in customer service or client retention
• Strong conflict/Issue resolution skills 
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal labor laws and hiring practices including those for people adversely impacted (i.e., justice involved) 
• Experience working with low-income families and individuals
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus

BronxWorks seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. BronxWorks is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This commitment applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and employee development, placement, promotion, demotion, upgrading, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.