Youth Employment Specialist

The Employment Specialist is responsible for creating job opportunities and increasing the employability of homeless young adults. The Employment Specialist develops relationships with employers, assists clients with job readiness, builds soft skills, performs job searches and assists in obtaining and securing internships and employment. In addition, the Employment Specialist works to reduce employment barriers by building and maintaining strong relationships with employers and acting as a liaison between employers and clients. 

1. Job Development
   1. Develop and create new innovative opportunities for youth training, placement and subsidized/unsubsidized employment including but not limited to standard employment, apprenticeships, internships, and volunteerism.
   2. Research, identify and solicit commitments from possible sources of employment.
   3. Provide presentations and participate in negotiations to create employment opportunities for homeless young adults.
   4. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with community employment resources and the business community.
   5. Work directly with employers to identify hiring needs, discuss educational requirements for various positions and develop training programs.
   6. Serve as an intermediary performance manager to provide on-going support and problem-solving with employers.
   7. Be current on employment trends and training.
2. Client Support Services
   1. Screen individuals for employment readiness, occupational/career assessments, evaluate transferable skills, placement services, job coaching, post-employment support, identify and address employment barriers, provide on-going client support services
   2. Provide clients with soft skills training, short term training, identifying and developing transferable skills, and maintains continuity and consistent service flow meeting the needs and requirements for all clients, employers and grantors.
   3. Assist employed clients with career advancement opportunities working toward increasing their earning potential.
   4. Provide employment related resources to the clients such as job fairs, internet sites, job postings, short term training, etc.
      
3. Data Collection, Recordkeeping and Reporting
   1. Maintain updated and accurate client files.
   2. Track retention services for 12 months following job placement.
   3. Maintain detailed documentation and recordkeeping to meet all contract and grant requirements, outcomes, and audits.
   4. Submit reports and billing information to the Director of Homeless Services as required by contracts and Friends of Youth.
   5. Ensure all requirements of the Youth Employment Program are met.

1. Qualifications
   1. Bachelor's/Master's degree and a minimum of 3 years equivalent work experience.
   2. Knowledge and prior experience required in job development, job marketing and job placement.
   3. Prior experience addressing youth, young adult and family homelessness issues.
   4. Prior experience with case management.
   5. Must be able to establish rapport with at-risk young adults.
   6. Must have a working knowledge of diverse local, state, and federal funding mechanisms, planning processes, and trends related to employment services and homeless and special needs housing and services.
   7. Demonstrated experience providing evidence-based and promising employment practices, including collaboration with mainstream employment and education systems such as WorkSource, WorkFirst, Community Based Organizations, government entities, and/or community colleges.
   8. Ability to maintain professionalism in controversial, complex and public situations.
   9. Excellent interpersonal, writing and organizational skills
   10. Self-starter with ability to work both independently and on collaborative teams.
   11. Access to reliable transportation is required and must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license and other supportive documentation as required.
   12. Solid computer skills using Windows-based word processing and spreadsheet programs.
   13. Must demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences and a commitment to the value of cultural competency.
       

Full time - 40 hrs/wk

$33,000-$35,000

Program Coordinator

Serving housing programs in Everett, Kirkland and Bothell

Open until filled

paola@friendsofyouth.org

1/23/12