The primary responsibility of the Community Partnerships Employment Specialists is to assist justice- involved individuals in identifying and addressing barriers to obtaining gainful employment. This role serves a key function as a part of the Women Evolving program which aims to increase economic opportunities of Black Cis and Trans women. This includes creating partnerships with employers, staying closely connected with partner agencies and their employment-related services, staying current about employment openings in the Chicagoland area, and connect individuals to these opportunities. This position will directly link with the Employment Navigators to provide workforce development to women of the Women Evolving program.
The salary range for this role is $42,000 to $50,000.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Coordination and Monitoring
- Identify and overcome barriers for clients of the Women Evolving program to gain employment
- Partner with RiseKit, Chicago Cook Workforce Alliance, Chicagoland Workforce Development, Employment coalitions and taskforce groups to build economic workforce partnerships, identify and increase workforce opportunities
- Research and develop relationships with employers, colleges/universities, community organizations and major corporations and create/maintain database for workforce development
- Represent the Women Evolving program and build relationships with clients, navigators, and corrections case managers
- Assist to create and support a Housing and Employment Resource Center (HERC)
- Connect clients with agencies and outside services related to employment and monitor their progress
- Document employment and income goals for clients in CaseWorthy (AFC’s client database)
- Assist clients with obtaining and/or completing necessary documents to submit for possible employment
- Provide transportation for clients to employment-related events or appointments as needed
- Provide regular feedback about program successes and challenges to Director of Capacity Building, Training & Workforce Development
- Provide ongoing support to Women Evolving during employment-related events including summits or virtual training sessions
- Participate in case management meetings with staff and other team members to strategize about employment opportunities, provide updates and increase effectiveness with clients involving difficult situations
- Assist Community Partnerships Sr. Employment Specialist on projects as determined and directed by the Director of Capacity Building, Training & Workforce Development
Other
- Work collaboratively with all Women Evolving and Community Partnerships & Special Projects team members
- Participate in staff training, staff meetings, and development activities as directed
- Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk, and others
- Protect organization's value and manage risk by keeping information confidential
- Perform other duties as assigned
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION)
Minimum Qualifications
- 2 years’ experience in employment coordinator, case management, or social work
Preferred Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, psychology, counseling, or a related field
- Previous experience working with justice-involved populations
- Experience working with employers, supportive employment programs, and job training initiative
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- The ability to develop and deliver formal presentations to others that may include management, peers, team members, and others outside the organization
- The ability to manage time so that the priority of activities determines the timing and amount of attention received
- The ability to enter, record, store, or maintain information in written or electronic form
- Basic knowledge of HIV infection, homelessness and justice involvement and related chronic diseases
- Knowledge of the causes of homelessness, who it affects, and the factors (
- Knowledge of, or ability to quickly develop competency with, issues related to justice involvement, effective intervention techniques, and motivational interviewing.
- Understanding stigma, mental illness, and effective crisis intervention techniques
- The ability and willingness to respect and value the differences and perceptions of different groups/individuals
- The ability to use various Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- The ability to develop and maintain professional, trusting, and positive working relationships with mangers, supervisors, staff, co-workers, partner agencies, and vendors
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment is representative of that found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (2-15 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods at a keyboard or workstation and on the telephone.
https://aids-foundation-chicago.breezy.hr/p/543368255bde-community-partnerships-employment-specialist?state=published