Employment Specialist

POSITION:                 Employment Specialist

REPORTS TO:          Director of Programs and Operations

SALARY:                    $23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Email resume to Human Resources at: hr@benedictcenter.org

POSITION PURPOSE:  Provide strength-based employment case management, support, and advocacy services to women within Benedict Center Programs. Assist job seekers in connecting with the right job opportunities. This position is based in our outpatient clinic location at 1849 N MLK Drive and works with clients in the Community Reintegration Center as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employment Readiness, Skills Building, Job Placement

  • Provide clients with individual coaching on key steps and skills for job readiness and job placement (e.g. resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and negotiation strategies).
  • Facilitate Makin it Work course for employment-seeking clients (curriculum provided).
  • Help clients develop and support healthy communication and interpersonal skills in the workplace.
  • Conduct assessment and create individualized employment plan in partnership with clients through intake and collaborative discussion. Assess each client’s employment-related goals, needs, and barriers using employment intake and collaborative discussion. Support and track individual progress.
  • Maintain data and documentation on service activities and outcomes for each client (e.g. completed employment readiness, connected to GED program, job placement.)

Community Collaborations and Job Connections

  • Develop and maintain referral relationships with education and job training programs
  • Identify and develop referral relationships with prospective part-time and full-time employers in multiple sectors
  • Screen job openings and match job seekers with appropriate opportunities
  • Represent agency at assigned community meetings and events

Client Navigation and Support

  • Work in partnership and integration with other Benedict Center program services and program staff.  Create job support plans in collaboration with other program staff.  Attend weekly team meeting and client staffing meetings.
  • Troubleshoot barriers and obstacles with client input and strive to find solutions.
  • Identify and address barriers specific to justice impacted women
  • Coordinate the provision of basic life needs resources to clients (e.g. transportation, clothing, grocery cards, co-pays, GED fees, etc.) when needed for employment success.
  • Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and support to employment clients in crisis; connect clients with other crisis resources.
  • Identify potential impacts to clients’ benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid, for each job opportunity. Attending training as necessary to expand job knowledge and provide services.

Mission and Values Focus:

Agree, uphold and demonstrate our values and mission:

  • To help women affected by the criminal justice system find hope and lead safer and healthier lives while advocating for a system of justice that is fair and treats everyone with dignity and respect.
  • To provide services that are client-centered, strengths-focused, trauma informed, and empowering.
  • To the practice of self-reflection, accountability and cultural competence/humility

QUALIFICATIONS & Requirements:

Education & Work Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in social work, human resources, or other related human services field. 
  • At least one year of experience in employment related positions like job readiness, job training, job placement or career counseling role.
  • Experience working with women impacted by the justice system.
  • Experience working with women with substance use and/or mental health issues.

Skills

  • Ability to network with prospective employers and build effective relationships. 
  • Experience and ability to effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Ability to work well with women from diverse economic, racial, ethnic, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and religious backgrounds in an open and respectful environment.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Experience facilitating groups or classes
  • Experience with verbally deescalating client situations with heightened emotions.
  • Ability to set work goals, prioritize, and work independently to accomplish action steps for a caseload of 40 active clients.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and job search databases.

Other requirements:

  • Have and maintain current WI Driver’s License and liability insurance
  • Must be able to pass the Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check
  • Must be willing to adhere to Benedict Center policy on health vaccinations set by Milwaukee County.

Benefits

  • Full-time, non-exempt position
  • Paid vacation and personal/sick time
  • 13 paid holidays
  • 401(k)
  • Great single health insurance coverage (family coverage available)
  • Dental and vision insurance available
  • Short-term disability, life, accident and other insurances also available
  • Opportunity to join a caring and committed team of professionals
  • Diversified workforce