Employment & Retention Specialist

Title:                   Employment and Retention Specialist Program:           Next Step Internship Program Schedule:          Hybrid Schedule (post 90-day successful employment) Salary Range:   $55,000 to $65,000   Program Description:  Next Step is Project Renewal’s award-winning job placement program which places homeless, formerly homeless, and low-income individuals in competitive employment. Since 2000, Project Renewal has helped nearly 5,000 New Yorkers find and retain employment, achieve economic security, lead more fulfilling lives, and positively contribute to their communities. We enroll over 500 adults each year who have significant barriers to employment including those with histories of homelessness, substance use, underemployment, mental health diagnoses and criminal justice involvement. Our comprehensive approach allows us to work individually with each client to minimize barriers to employment and prepare them for the world of work.    Overall Responsibilities: The primary responsibility of this role is to provide job development, placement, and retention support for the Next Step Internship Program graduates. Next Step Internship Program (NSIP), is a training program for careers in homeless services which includes an 8-week classroom-based training and paid on-the-job internships at a homeless shelter or supportive housing.  In this role, you will match individuals with employment opportunities that align with their strengths, help clients find employment opportunities and ensure they meet all funder required performance milestones by providing optimal retention support.   Essential Duties and Responsibilities: duties include, but are not limited to:   Prepare graduates for employment and place them into jobs that are relevant to the NSIP program.  Identify, develop and maintain a network of employer partners in the NYC Shelter System, Social Services and Human Services Sector t that lead to job opportunities.  Meet monthly job placement goals. Manage a caseload of job-seeking and employed graduates. Work with HR Departments to ensure that clients are cleared for employment. Maintain timely, accurate and detailed case records for each graduate and employer in the Salesforce database system, including job search and follow-up activity. Meet with graduates individually to develop a customized job search plan. Represent Project Renewal at job fairs and other public forums. Coordinate recruitment and hiring events with employer networks. Track and follow up on job interviews, internships, and job placements. Work with greater workforce development staff to ensure employment opportunities for graduates of our workforce training programs. Provide retention services to all graduates and meet monthly retention goals. Verify employment and monitor employer and client relationship. Obtain job placement and retention milestone documentation that meets standards of contract. Conduct workforce development workshops for clients and graduates. Document all interactions in the clients’ record in Salesforce. Maintain employment data such as wage increases, promotions, resignations, and terminations; and generating reports and statistics. Communicate with NSIP and Workforce Development staff to keep them apprised of clients’ workplace progress and to ascertain any developments which may affect clients’ workplace performance. Perform other duties as assigned.  Ability to build and nurture relationship with clients, staff and employer partners. Excellent listening, oral and written skills Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently. Ability to work under deadlines and changing priorities. Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.  Understanding of the population and their needs Strong understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Ability to produce clear, accurate and well-organized case notes. Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workload effectively.  Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) Knowledge of virtual platforms (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Classroom, etc) Knowledge of Salesforce or other CRM system   Qualifications: B.A. degree strongly preferred. 3 - 5 years of experience in workforce development. Experience with employer partnerships, job development and job retention required. Experience in creating successful employer partnerships within the Human and Social Service industries; NYC Shelter employment experience, a plus. Excellent facilitation, presentation and communication skills with the ability to inspire and engage adult learners. Prior experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals who have been incarcerated, struggled with substance use, or faced mental health challenges. Ability to build and nurture relationship with clients, staff and employer partners. Excellent listening, oral and written skills Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently. Ability to work under deadlines and changing priorities. Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.  Understanding of the population and their needs Strong understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Ability to produce clear, accurate and well-organized case notes. Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workload effectively.  Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) Knowledge of virtual platforms (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Classroom, etc) Knowledge of Salesforce or other CRM system   All newly hired Project Renewal staff must provide verification of being fully vaccinated.