Reentry Workforce Connector

Overview

Salary $47,000 year

Title: Re-Entry Employment ConnectorClassification: Non-Exempt

Scope of Position:•  Deliver PA CareerLink® Philadelphia information to various community locations, physical and virtual events, job fairs, and panels, particularly those with a focus on supporting the population impacted by the criminal justice system (ie, customers returning from local, state or federal correctional institutions, probation/parole half-way houses, house arrests, or those beyond sentence).•  Engage actively in the city’s re-entry coalition and work in close partnership with the Office of Re-Entry Partnership on service improvements for those with criminal histories.•  The Re-entry Employment Connector supports program participants in the successful transition of pre-employment services received in the Prison and Jail to services received at the PA CareerLink® Philadelphia site upon release from prison and jail.•  Provide basic career services, WIOA intensive case management services, and job matching services to a targeted caseload of jobseekers within the assigned community.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Provide job search assistance for participants in cohort-based groups, and/or 1:1 meetings, including: preparation of resumes, cover letter, applications and preparing for interviews
• Motivate, encourage, and coach reentry participants in advancing employment, training and retention goals, and provides support in resolving issues that may impede successful job placement
• Assess each individual’s needs to determine basic service needs and career readiness
• Determine eligibility, enrollment and offering of WIOA intensive services, including and not limited to vocational training enrollments, On-The-Job Training referrals, and supportive services.
• Serve as liaison among the Bureau of Community Corrections, Philadelphia Department of Prisons, Adult Probation and Parole, and PA CareerLink® Philadelphia
• Work with correctional leadership, and probation and parole staff to inform, educate, and recruit eligible inmates/ reentry customers into PA CareerLink® Services.
• Refer participants to employer events, workshops and various services being offered at PA CareerLink® Philadelphia locations
• Deliver workshops on a regular basis to engage customers and prepare them with the skills they need to find jobs
• Work directly with reentry participants, Philadelphia Prisons and Jails, and PA CareerLink® Philadelphia to seamlessly transition between Prison/Jail system and PA CareerLink® Philadelphia ensuring consistent training and employment follow up service delivery
• Regular intake and case management appointments facilitated across all PA CareerLink® Philadelphia locations to provide customer centric case management to support employment opportunities upon release
• Support the use of virtual tools, including virtual workshops, PA CareerLink Online, and PHL Career Portal.
• Utilize Goal4It! Methodologies in customer interactions
• Educate customers on the criminal justice system, the impact a criminal background can have on job search and employment, and legal rights in job search and employment
• Increase awareness for which convictions create limitations within specific industries, and which career pathways are feasible with certain criminal backgrounds
• Maintain organized database of all clients served, including information on criminal history, year of conviction, and other information relevant to understanding trends of who receives re-entry services in PA CareerLink® Philadelphia’s system
• Responsible for data tracking of every service provided and utilization of the state system of record, CWDS, as well as the team-wide reporting platform. Data capture is a daily responsibility.
• Implement project management skills, tools, and methods
• Demonstrate fluid approach to work and actively be part of continuous improvement

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements:•  Any certifications in providing re-entry services in a workforce setting preferred•  Must have 2-3 years of experience servicing the re-entry population•  Must be highly familiar with local, state, and federal laws and policies around returning citizens, including rights and employment law.•  Must have experience in team-oriented environment•  Ability to prioritize tasks, document visits and contacts•  Model positive and professional behavior•  Use language reflective of a commitment to diversity; demonstrate cultural competence•  Bachelor's Degree in business, education, human resources, liberal arts or related area is preferred•  Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite•  Must be comfortable with local travel and have access to reliable transportation