Bilingual Employment Specialist

Summary:

This is a professional level position that requires the significant and specific knowledge of and expertise in using interviewing, counseling, case management, job search, and job retention techniques. Requires specific knowledge of the services and goals of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the services and goals of WIOA Partner Agencies. This position requires the use of significant independent judgement and interpersonal skills to develop career opportunities and track the achievements and career goals for customers as well as strong communication skills. This position also requires the individual to interpret both written and oral information regarding the requirements of specific occupation and the vocational/occupational skills of applicants.

The E&T Specialist matches the customer's employment plan goal with available job openings and/or assisting the customer in locating appropriate job openings. Provides technical assistance to employer staff to develop workplace mentoring for customers and enhance their job retention functions as mentor, job coach and workplace facilitator for customers during their six months of employment. Reassesses individuals unable to secure employment to identify any vocational and educational training needs that need to be addressed in order to achieve the identified employment goal. Provides customers, where appropriate, with access to Individual Training Accounts and supportive services necessary to secure employment. Performs career counseling and case management services off-site at other BETC locations, community based organizations other agencies, as requested. The E&T Specialist will be evaluated on their success in registering customers, developing suitable employment plans, securing necessary services and training for customers to achieve employment for at least 6 months, as well as customer earning gains, customer satisfaction and other standards established by BETC.

The individual in this position will also provide a wide range of youth services including; intake, career, education and academic assessment, ISS Development, education, career and employment goal setting, work experience, referral to mentoring, job shadowing, leadership development, job readiness and work maturity skills training, job search, job retention July 14skills, etc. Case management of youth and necessary OSOS data entry. Provides youth, where appropriate, with access to supportive services necessary to continue participation in planned services. Manages all employer contacts, maintaining good working relationships with them. Provides information to the supervisor regarding the customers' progress and problems while on the job. Provides for post placement services to employed customers who need services in order to achieve a self-sufficient wage or retain employment during the six months following placement. Provides rapid re-employment services to customers who lose their employment during the 6 months following placement. Works as a team with the customer to secure long term employment at a self-sufficient wage for the customer. Specialist takes lead responsibility for the customer, and will also be evaluated on customer success in securing employment for at least 6 months.

Duties and Responsibilities: (Illustrative Only)

· Responsible for the provision of job matching, placement, post placement (job retention, rapid reemployment, career advancement) and employer services to customers of BETC.

· Contact a variety of sources to secure unsubsidized employment opportunities for customers.

· Cultivate employer relationships to ensure a good working relationship with employers, especially in relation to securing long term employment for customers and additional employment opportunities.

· Training and Career Counseling

· Secure and present educational options

· Recruit, inform and utilize BETC Partners and Affiliates

· Works closely with Consortium staff and WIOA Partner agencies to identify and coordinate placement efforts.

· Provides pre-referral or pre-employment orientation and information sessions to customers to enhance their chances of getting the job and keeping it.

· Provides information to Supervisors regarding the progress of customers.

· Utilizes the local papers, local business community, business directories, the Internet, Partner agencies, community agencies, NYS Job Service, networking contacts, etc. to identify companies who may offer job opportunities to customers. Makes referrals to participating agencies.

· Secures pertinent information regarding job opportunities such as title, location, wages, benefits, hours, transportation, hiring pre-requisites, etc.

· Analysis employment opportunities and matches them to the pool of registered job seekers, identifying potential candidates for referral to employers. Selects the most qualified customers to refer to the employer for possible placement. Establishes career pathways.

· Forwards resumes, sets-up interviews and reviews progress of hiring process, with each developed job opportunity.

· Submits weekly and monthly production reports, as to placement, job retention and post placement activities. Prepare and submits reports on other activities as requested.

· Works closely with Training & Career Management staff, in identifying and matching applicants; monitoring on-the-job progress, and resolving problems related to program participation and employment retention. Identify customer for referrals to open job orders and ensuring that the customer retains their employment for at least 6 months. Obtains, reviews and analyzes information from customers, center and partner staff to determine customer’s availability for work, job readiness, suitability for employment situations and eligibility for placement services, if necessary.

· Proficient in State Case Management System.

· Knowledge of Center and Partner services, policies and procedures, Knowledge of workforce development services available and resources that exist to provide services to job seeker and employers.

· Work as a team member in solving problems, improving services and identifying customer needs.

· Exercise tact, patience and discretion in communicating and dealing with persons with a variety of ethnic, social or educational backgrounds.

· Informs and provides technical assistance to employers on the regulatory requirements of specials programs within the Workforce Development System such as Work Opportunity Tax Credit, Federal Bonding, Trade Adjustment Act, NY State Tax Credits, etc.

· Assists the workshop coordinator in identifying and developing "How To" modules and workshops geared towards the job retention and career advancement needs of the customer.

· Does follow-up on customer progress as necessary, including evenings and weekends, (if necessary).

· Performs other tasks as assigned, may be assigned to other duties, responsibilities, offices, programs and locations based on the service and staffing needs.

· Develops workforce that meets employers needs and attains necessary credentials

· Act as a Life Skills Coach

· Community Outreach

· Develop individual service plans

· Job coaching and mentoring

· Maps out and facilitate training and education

Qualifications and Basic Requirements

A. Education and Related Work Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in counseling, vocational rehabilitation, social science, human services/resources, business or other related field of study, and two years of full-time paid experience in a related field.

OR

Completion of a minimum of 60 semester credit hours in an accredited college or university and five years full-time paid experience in a related field.

Prefer work experience in an employment and training or workforce development services environment that shows that the individual has job placement, job retention or similar experience and the ability to work with minimal supervision, is self-motivating and has initiative. Will accept full time paid experience in an education, vocational counseling, vocational rehabilitation, career planning, or personnel counseling.

B. Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must be bilingual or multi-lingual; able to read, write, interpret English and Spanish languages (preferred). Applicants should possess in-depth knowledge of the principles and practices of interviewing, job search, job placement and job retention. Considerable skill interviewing and obtaining skill information pertinent to referring customers to employment situations. Knowledge of local and national labor market trends and demands. Good knowledge of available support, training, job related services and opportunities offered through the local Workforce Development System, human/social service agencies, area educational/vocational agencies and local community service agencies. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to maintain detailed case notes and records on an automated and/or manual system. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a culturally diverse work environment. Ability to plan, schedule, and execute assigned tasks in a timely manner with little supervision. Ability to be sensitive to the needs of the unemployed, underemployed and dislocated workers. Ability to react courteously and tactfully in any situation.

C. Additional Requirements

· Must have knowledge in the use of a computer and word processing software.

· Individuals in this position will be required to work flexible hours, which will require some evening hours and work on Saturdays, as scheduled.

· Prior experience working with culturally diverse customers and staff.

Essential Physical/Mental Functions

Physical Elements

· Lifting and carrying 10-25 pounds occasionally;

· Pushing and Pulling10-25 pounds occasionally;

· Ability to stand, walk and sit frequently;

· Ability to speak and hear, both in person and on the telephone frequently;

· Repetitive use of hands to finger, handle, feel and operate standard office equipment frequently;

· Ability to bend, squat, kneel, reach, balance and climb stairs occasionally;

· In-person, customer-facing position.

Mental Elements

· Regularly required to use written and oral communication skills

· Organizing and coordinating schedules;

· Read and interpret data, information and documents;

· Analyze and solve non-routine and complex office administrative problems;

· Use math and mathematical reasoning;

· Observe and interpret situations;

· Learn and apply new information or skills;

· Perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks;

· Work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions;

· Interact and communicate with Center directors, managers, staff, customers, the public and others encountered in the course of work;

· Completing written work related reports.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Military leave
• On-the-job training
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Buffalo, NY 14203: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $55,000