Annuities Retention Specialist jobs in Buffalo, NY

Job Coach/Retention Specialist-Buffalo, NY

The Opportunity

One of CEO’s core program positions is the Job Coach/Retention Specialist (JC/RS). The JC/RS is essential to identifying and addressing our participants’ barriers to employment. Through early intervention and appropriate support services, they are devoted to helping participants stay motivated while working in temporary employment and focused on their efforts to retain permanent employment. The JC/RS has a caseload of participants to whom they provide support services to ensure they become job start ready. They monitor participant progress utilizing weekly targeted case management, motivational interviewing, and connections and referrals to other support services agencies.

The JC/RS is also responsible for helping CEO achieve targeted retention outcomes. They will keep participants engaged in CEO services and in the labor force for twelve months from the start of the first full-time job placement. A successful JC/RS understands customer relationship management and the importance of quality data entry. They will be responsible for maintaining and documenting the status of the relationship between our participants and CEO in our case management system.

As part of our mission, we strongly encourage individuals who have lived experience of incarceration or involvement in the justice system to apply for this role.

About Us

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people with recent criminal convictions. Across the United States, over 6,000 people participate in CEO each year, transitioning to employment that supports themselves, their families, and their communities.

What began as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice in the 1970s to address employment barriers facing the formerly incarcerated following release in New York City has grown into the leading reentry employment organization in the country, where over 25,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment since 1996. Since 2009, CEO has gained support to expand its programs through government, nonprofit, and private organizations including the GreenLight Fund, the Pew Charitable Trust, and the Nonprofit Finance Fund. In 2016, CEO embarked on a 5-year strategic plan to grow to serve 9,000 participants annually.

Who you are

• You’re deeply dedicated to social justice and perhaps are already working in the re-entry space
• You're experienced in providing feedback and guidance to clients to encourage their growth and continued development of their knowledge and skills
• You’re passionate about making an impact on people's lives and interested in guiding them to achieving their career goals through a balance of accountability and empathy
• You are a people-person and love to inspire others to reach a goal and perform to the best of their ability
• You have strong customer service skills and take a human-centered approach when communicating with participants
• You have strong time management and prioritization skills
• You’re able to anticipate problems, evaluate them, and determine and implement solutions
• You’re computer savvy (demonstrated word processing skills, ability to use the Internet to research job opportunities, familiarity with Salesforce preferred)
• You come to CEO with 1-2 years of related experience

Major Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Job Coach / Retention Specialist include but are not limited to:

Job Coaching

• In collaboration with colleagues, ensures that at least 70% of participants become Job Start Ready
• Guide and coach participants in key preparatory activities tied to employment, including writing professional resumes, networking, and mock interviewing
• Use motivational interviewing techniques as appropriate to help guide participants to goal achievement
• Maintain weekly contact with participants to track their progress to interview readiness
• Makes appropriate referrals to outside agencies when necessary; documents in Salesforce
• Facilitate group sessions and workshops to build employment readiness skills
• Build positive relationships with criminal justice partners in various settings, including parole bureaus and correctional facilities
• Regularly discuss participant process and status with colleagues
• Engage participants in ongoing discussions about their employment goals

Retention Services

• Maintain frequent contact with participants
• Research and connect participants to educational and vocational opportunities as related to their short- and long-term goals
• Provide participants with continued life skills education and relevant resources
• Advocate for participant needs with parole officers and other constituencies
• Distribute retention incentives to participants

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $44,100 annually. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, paid parental leave, participation in a retirement plan, sick and vacation leave, paid holidays and more. We're a workplace that promotes continual learning and teamwork, offering lunch and learns, team outings, holiday gatherings and more for our staff. CEO is also dedicated to ongoing staff development and training, including regular training opportunities in Motivational Interviewing (MI). MI is one evidence-based skill that reentry and human service professionals can utilize when supporting participants to achieve their goals.

More About Us

The Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. Our commitment to being an anti-racism organization that is inclusive across all identities and experiences drives us forward every day. We exist to create greater opportunities for people who face multiple barriers to personal and professional success, and we’re passionate about being agents of change who promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to opportunities for all.

People who are justice involved, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ , and people with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.  CEO’s commitment to DEI aligns with the CROWN Act, creating an open space where our employees can present as their true authentic selves. We are an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Please note that due to the volume of resumes received, we are unable to contact each applicant regarding the status of each position or reply to candidates' inquiries via phone or email.

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