Employment and Training Specialist

We are immediately hiring in Boston, Massachusetts! Join us at Community Work Services (CWS) for an exciting career as an Employment and Training Specialist.

Mission: To help people who face barriers to work obtain employment and achieve self-sufficiency through innovative job training, placement, and support services www.cwsnewengland.org.

Community Work Services (CWS) was founded in 1877 as the Cooperative Society of Visitors Among the Poor of Boston to provide services to the poor of Boston and address the roots of poverty through employment, education, and housing improvements. Its founder, Annie Fields, is said to have been a transitional figure in the development of a professional social-service network. Mrs. Fields hoped to apply business principles and efficiency to benevolent activities and charity work. Today CWS provides job placement, training, and support services in the Boston area.

Job Title: Employment and Training Specialist

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Type: Full -Time

Position Summary:

Employment and Training Specialist will assist CWS participants with job search, prepare them for interviews and job retention.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist CWS participants with writing effective resumes, finding job opportunities, and preparing applications that lead to interviews; coach candidates during job-search process
• Manage a substantial caseload and support clients through pro-active coaching to help them retain employment for 1-year placement. 
• Teach the Job-Readiness course when needed; conduct practice  interviews, etc. 
• Teach low-income individuals how to find job opportunities and help them to evaluate appropriateness of specific jobs. 
• Develop relationships with employers, to whom you will refer appropriate candidates for entry level positions.
• Conduct routine outreach to employed clients using extensive phone and face-to-face contact to facilitate productive career coaching and mentoring for one-year post- placement.
• Conduct practice interviews and provide feedback to participants; monitor and report on participants’ progress. Provide referrals to resources in the community
• Help candidates to deal effectively with situations at work and at home that might otherwise adversely affect their employment.  Teach problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills. 
• Maintain manual and computerized participant records and spreadsheets; complete required documentation and reporting with timeliness and accuracy

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s level in Vocational Rehabilitation, Counseling, Social Work, or other relevant area, with at least 1 year of experience in a human service/community-based setting.  
• Experience with curriculum development and teaching experience strongly preferred
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Possession of valid and current Class D Massachusetts Driver’s License
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Bilingual (English Spanish) a plus
• Able to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and to believe in the rights and abilities of people with disabilities.
• Familiarity with Boston area businesses, providers, and resources required.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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