Employment Specialist, YWCA, Renton, WA

Employment Specialist

Posted on: June 14, 2013
Posted by: YWCA

DESCRIPTION

The Employment Specialist will work with homeless and near homeless families and individuals to stabilize housing, obtain job readiness skills, connect to WorkSource resources, and obtain employment. This position will enroll clients into the YWCA's Employment and Housing Stability (EHS) program, which is funded by the King County Veteran and Human Services levy. The Employment Specialist will conduct assessments, provide job training workshops, and assist clients with job retention, wage progression and money and time management skills. The Employment Specialist will maintain records of clients' progress, complete reports on demographics and achievement of program outcomes and provide support services as needed. Additional services provided by the Employment Specialist will include working with employers to develop job opportunities, working with housing providers to coordinate services, working with WIA and other WorkSource staff at WorkSource offices to co-enroll clients, conducting a "Career Circle" job club, teaching employability workshops, and working with other service providers in King County.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with community partners to recruit and screen applicants to determine eligibility followed by enrollment and orientation
• Assess client's job readiness, occupational training needs and need for additional community resources and helps develop clear and realistic employment and educational objectives
• Position requires networking and maintaining contact with representatives of other social service providers and housing providers, including YWCA housing, Catholic Community Services, South King County Multi-Service Center, Vine Maple Place and other providers
• Provides clients with support services and/or makes referrals to other community agencies to resolve barriers to employment
• Provides individual and group job search preparation and training to explore and develop the habits and attitudes needed to be successful in the workplace
• Coaches clients in developing job skills, resumes, cover letters etc. and provides clients with job search information
• Assist clients with job readiness, wage progression, housing stability and money management goals
• Maintains accurate client files and enters client information into YWCA Client Track, King County demographic reports, e-JAS, and the Self Sufficiency Calculator
• Completes monthly and quarterly data and narrative reports on program performance
• Co-enroll EHS clients into the Basic Food Employment & Training program by submitting information to DSHS
• Will be required to travel to multiple locations to meet with clients, including housing sites
• Will be required to provide WorkSource core services including job seeker walk-ins and occasional trainings
• May also assist in the development and delivery of Dependable Strengths training and trainings on serving homeless families
• Continuing search for understanding of racial, gender and class equity
• Show demonstrated ability to interact with people of different cultures
• Adhere to all Volunteer Services protocol relative to volunteer usage, recognition and monitoring. Work alongside volunteers, where applicable
• Assure that volunteers are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnic background, gender or socioeconomic background

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor's degree in social services, social work, education, or related field desired. An equivalent combination of experience and education will be considered
• One to two years of demonstrated experience required performing work related to client recruitment and enrollment, career assessment and planning, support services, occupational training, workplace readiness, job placement, records maintenance and outcomes reporting
• Knowledge of case management practices
• Knowledge of King County labor market, vocational training programs, WorkSource system, and other local resources
• Understanding of issues related to poverty, homelessness and the governmental, educational, and social service systems that serve low income people
• Strong customer service orientation
• Sensitivity to the needs of YWCA clients who are homeless, low income, limited English speaking, or impacted by domestic violence, substance abuse or other barriers to employment
• Commitment to diversity and ability to work well with diverse family styles and multi-ethnic populations
• Oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
• Computer familiarity with Windows, Word., Excel, and Outlook and ability to use online tools such as Microsoft Sharepoint and Survey Monkey
• Candidate must be able to travel independently between multiple work sites within a day
• Core competencies expected: Achievement; Collaboration; Communication; Customer Service; Discernment/Judgment; Fostering Diversity; Initiative; Innovation; Interpersonal skills; Planning & Organizing; Problem Solving; Professionalism

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS POSITION

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In performing this job, the employee:

• Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with clients, agency staff, employers, representatives of community organizations and other individuals in the community
• Frequently stands, walks, sits, and climbs in performing duties in the office and in traveling to off-site meetings
• Frequently reaches and grasps in using telephones, computers, fax machines and other office equipment and supplies
• Frequently lifts and carries up to 5 lbs. of paperwork, files, and training materials, occasionally up to 40 lbs
• Frequently to occasionally performs close work while updating files, reading program information, and using computer
• Occasionally kneels, bends, pushes and pulls in obtaining files in drawers
• Occasionally stands for long periods of time while conducting training programs or attending job fairs

RATE, HOURS, BENEFITS

• $16.28 to $19.54, per hour, DOE
• Full time, 40 hours per week
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification: Non-exempt.
• Pro-rated cafeteria benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, flex accounts and generous retirement, vacation.
• Grant-funded position reviewed regularly for funding availability.
• As a condition of employment, the YWCA requires all employees hired on or after July, 1 2009 to make a 5% contribution into a 403(b) plan sponsored by the YWCA until they are eligible for the YWCA Retirement Plan. Once an employee is eligible (typically after two years) for the YWCA Retirement Plan, that individual is no longer required to participate in the 403B plan, but is required to participate in the YWCA Retirement Plan at a reduced pay rate of 5%. This reduction in pay coupled with a local YWCA and National YWCA match reaffirms the YWCA's commitment to the long-term self sufficiency of our staff and is a benefit for YWCA employees. It is important to note; however, the 5% reduced pay rate will lead to a reduction in pay, but, will never reduce wages below the minimum wage required by the State of Washington. This new pay rate will be the basis of any future YWCA salary adjustments. If you have worked in a YWCA agency previously and qualified for YWCA retirement, your deducted wages along with YWCA contributions will immediately be transferred to the YWCA retirement

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit cover letter and resume with the job tittle in the subject line to mshiring@ywcaworks.org.