Employment Specialist, Associate

Central City Concern is an innovative nonprofit agency providing comprehensive services to single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty, and addictions. We hire people that are skilled and passionate to meet our mission through outcome-based strategies which support personal and community transformation.

Schedule: Mon - Fri 8 am - 430 pm

Location: Employment Access Center, 2 NW 2nd Ave, Portland OR

The Associate Employment Specialist is a trainee position, working under the direction of the Supervisor and/or Lead Employment Specialist. The Associate performs a variety of work employment including career exploration, employment preparation, assistance with finding employment and job retention. This position will work closely with other service providers to coordinate services and ensure ongoing support for individuals to maintain long term success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in meeting contractual goals for clients served as well as documenting budgeted contract dollars.
• Develop employment/training plans, identifying both short-and long-term goals and steps to achieve goals. Actively monitor client progress and counsel clients in developing career goals.
• Provide ongoing individual support and encouragement to clients.
• Actively participate in outreach and provide assistance and direction to clients in identifying SNAP eligibility as well as how to obtain forms of identification for employment. Work with clients to complete Career Maps and provide client assessment to determine skills and abilities.
• Match job seeking clients and employers using a variety of professional job placement skills.
• Assist clients with requirements of applying and interviewing for jobs to include building cover letters and resumes as well as assisting with practice interviews.
• Provide support of retention services including on site job coaching.
• Collaborate under direction of Supervisor or Lead Employment Specialist with community resource agencies by making referrals and providing intervention to remove barriers to employment including housing, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, and emergency services.
• Work with internal service providers to assure coordinated and streamlined services.
• Synthesize information from diverse sources and act on information appropriately for each participant and program.
• Participate in compliance, quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Provide touch points with clients up to 12 months to provide support for possible advancements, new opportunities or re-employment if needed.
• Manage data inputs and maintain accurate records of client progress in multiple databases. These include case management and employment databases as well as register with Release of Information and agreements with accuracy.
• Update and maintain data and templates in the software program, Apricot. Help to keep files organized and updated.
• Attend all required meetings and trainings.
• Adhere to all CCC policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners' and outside providers' patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EMR access. This includes immediately reporting any breach of protected health information or personal identification information of any person receiving CCC services by CCC or an outside provider to the CCC Compliance Department, as well as to your supervisor or their designee. 
• Perform related duties as assigned, within the scope of the role.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must embrace the mission and philosophy of recovery and client centered treatment.
• Must be able to work weekends and/or evenings as necessary.
• Must have necessary computer skills to accomplish duties.
• Ability to perform intra-city travel.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check.
• This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check if working in FAN, Blackburn or OTRC Programs.
• Work on this specific contract prohibits convictions of child or elderly abuse, offenses against persons, sexual offenses, or child neglect.
• Ability to adhere to Central City Concern’s drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol. 
• May be required to carry an agency cell phone for work use.  Cell phone will be provided by Central City Concern. 
• Must adhere to agency's non-discrimination policies. 
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientations, and treat everyone with respect and dignity.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with homeless and/or recovering chemically dependent individuals strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of area employers, housing resources, training providers, human service agencies and community groups.
• Valid driver’s license preferred. If required to drive, must pass a DMV background check, and be designated an “acceptable” driver as outlined in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety Policy. If required to drive, must pass an initial driver’s training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training.

Benefits:  Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our Regular/FT employees:  

• Generous paid time off plan which provides up to 4 weeks of PTO accrual in the first year. Accrual increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with competitive employer match with 4.25% in the first year, 6% in the second year, and 8% in the 3rd year.
• 11 paid Holidays PLUS 2 Personal Holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion.
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long Term Disability Insurance!
• Excellent relocation package for those roles that qualify.

Central City Concern is a second chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this particular job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.