Employment Specialist

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 

Upward Bound House (UBH) is dedicated to ending the cycle of intergenerational family homelessness. We compassionately provide a continuum of services ranging from crisis housing to permanent housing and homelessness prevention.  With over 30 years of experience in family homelessness, UBH is a leading services provider, contributing to and advocating for lasting solutions to end family homelessness. Our diverse team is passionate about our mission. UBH provides a fast-paced environment that values empowerment, collaboration, diversity, relationships, efficiency and communication. UBH provides a supportive, caring and merit-based environment for team members and is vested in their growth and development. We seek employees who are passionate about serving and making a difference in the lives of others.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Employment Specialist provides direct client services in the areas of employment counseling, job coaching, skills assessment, skills training, job development, job placement, increased government benefits, and retention services; including intervention and advocacy.  This position will assist families that are enrolled in our Rapid Rehousing programs, and collaborate with UBH Interim Housing programs as well.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides employment consultation for new clients and working clients as needed, through information and assessments.
2. Leverages client background and experience through employment consulting, to assist in client’s goal setting and career mapping.
3. Determines participant’s skills, work preferences and individual needs through screening and individual needs through screening and assessment.
4. Develops clearly written Individualized Employment Plans (IEP) based on assessment and participant Updates IEP on a regular basis as participant objectives are met.
5. Matches participants to jobs utilizing assessment and job site analysis information.
6. Fulfills assigned number of job placements per month into part-time or full-time employment.
7. Performs job-coaching duties for Serves as a positive role model to participant and employer, modeling appropriate work skills, behavior and social interaction.
8. Assists participants in completing job applications and other job search and readiness requirements.
9. Maintains regular contact with employers to keep abreast of employer satisfaction, and to provide placement follow-up and participant commitment.
10. Recruits, assess, places and conducts employment readiness training for participants such as career counseling, world of work and labor market information.
11. Provides services/interventions to help participants retain Interventions may include counseling, advocacy, job coaching, skill training, assessment and referral.
12. Participates in training to improve skills in the use of structured training techniques for teaching job performance skills, job related skills and work behaviors.
13. Collects employment verifications from employers and participants (i.e. paystubs, employment offer letter etc.)
14. Researches periodic reports of employment opportunities and employment trends in the labor market.
15. Assists with the coordination of employment related events/activities: Career Fairs/Employer Advisory Committee, etc.
16. Develops mainstream jobs in the community through regular contact with business and industry to obtain suitable employment opportunities for program Analyzes work sites for quality and to identify work skills required in order to appropriately match participants to employment opportunities.
17. Identifies potential employers with a focus on developing employment opportunities for program participants.
18. Identifies areas where participants can apply to obtain or increase entitlement benefits such as Calfresh, CalWorks, SSI/DI, etc.
19. Works collaboratively with UBH’s case management and housing team members to eliminate participant barriers that can interfere with the job.
20. Documents and maintains up-to-date information on services provided to participants in the agency’s client tracking database and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
21. Participates in regular case conferencing meetings and attends staff trainings as required.
22. Maintains electronic and hard copy case records in participant file.
23. Prepares regular written reports of job development and placement activities as assigned.

 QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services or a related field, or other field related to the provision of employment services; a combination of education and experience may be substituted.
2. Two years’ experience providing services to persons experiencing homelessness.
3. Knowledge of: general goals and purposes of public social services programs; techniques for interviewing and gathering information from varied populations; arithmetic skills sufficient to interpret participant income and expense information to identify general eligibility for services and benefits within program requirements.
4. Demonstrated experience working with challenging populations; including those with criminal backgrounds, mental health, chemical dependency, emotional/behavioral issues, special education, and/or literacy issues.
5. Ability to read, apply, interpret, and explain State and Federal regulations, policies, and procedures governing assigned employment program areas and program guidelines.
6. Strong verbal and written communication skills as well as time management skills.
7. Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and any other database software(s) used to track service delivery.
8. Strong ability to effectively resolve and cope with immediate conflict and/or crisis situations.
9. Experience using a data management system to record client information and interactions.
10. Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care and Practices a plus.
11. Ability to work collaboratively, but independently.
12. Creative problem-solving skills.
13. Exceptional organizational skills.
14. Ability to work with a diverse population.
15. Employment with UBH is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

• Employment Eligibility Verification
• Reliable transportation
• Updated tuberculosis test
• Successful completion of background screening
• Must have Valid CA Driver's License
• Must provide proof of insurance coverage

RESPONSIBILITIES COMMON TO ALL AGENCY EMPLOYEES

• • Maintain a safe work environment and confidentiality at all times.
  • Be proactive, creative, and flexible in determining, evaluating, researching, and resolving issues.
  • Organize and prioritize multiple activities to meet all external and internal deadlines.
  • Maintain professional demeanor that reflects positively on the agency.
  • Demonstrate respect and courtesy toward others.
  • Able to thrive in a work environment emphasizing teamwork and collaboration.
  • Respond in a timely manner in all aspects of communication.
  • Work with average supervision.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, EQUIPMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations Employee is required to:Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you require an accommodation, please make sure to inform the Human Resources Department by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform the Human Resources Department of the need for accommodation at the time it is needed. Maintain a safe work environment and confidentiality at all times.

Walk and climb stairs; Handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; Communicate, receive and exchange ideas, information by means of the spoken and written word; Be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; Repeat various motions with the wrists, hands and fingers; Be able to have visual activity for (including, but not limited to) administrative and clerical tasks; Drive personal vehicle in and around Los Angeles County and periodically transport clients; Be able to enter various buildings that may require climbing stairs. Be subjected to outside environmental conditions.

Salary : $23 - $27