Employment Placement Specialist (68959)

About the role

The Employment Placement Specialist functions as a job service liaison, networking with local business leaders, establishing commitments to employ residents, facilitating placements, and providing follow-up. This position also provides vocational training assistance, individual and group counseling, and post-release follow-up relative to employment within the community.

Responsibilities

• Assesses needs of offenders as related to employment, vocational and/or educational needs.
• Develops and coordinates community resources.
• Serves as a liaison to local businesses.
• Participates in the intake, screening, and assessment procedures.
• Maintains offender and service records according to established procedures.
• Provides training on proper dress and interview techniques.
• Develops an employment resource file.
• Assists offenders by accessing computer-based technology and resources, including care assistance software and online resources (offenders are strictly prohibited from using the Internet).
• Assists offenders in obtaining and maintaining employment.
• Arranges and monitors on-site training.
• Provides job coaching.
• Maintains communication with offenders’ employers and documents accordingly.
• Visits job sites to provide assistance to offenders and employers.
• Identifies potential employment opportunities for residents.
• Participates in staff meetings and training sessions, and assists in providing training.
• Communicates residents’ needs and progress with Resident Service Coordinators, employers, and collaborating agencies.
• Assists in employment readiness.
• Prepares weekly program reports on residents’ status and activity.
• Establishes and maintains a community resource and referral index.
• Provides assistance with locating employment job fairs on-site or in the community.
• Performs employment verifications and maintains accurate communications with the OP Inmate Placement Administrator.
• Provides case management services as needed or directed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and two years of experience related to job development and placement assistance. An Associate’s Degree in a related field with three years of experience may be substituted.
• Experience with corrections is preferred.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with the offender population, other service agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to provide effective training, prepare written reports, and maintain client documentation.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, consumers, and program supplies as necessary.
• Physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear, and perform basic and light home maintenance activities.
• Ability to move and lift light objects up to 30 pounds such as mail, supplies, files, and equipment.
• Ability to operate office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.
• Ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.

Outcomes

• Helps residents re-enter the workforce and community.
• Facilitates residents’ successful completion of the program.
• Ensures that residents’ vocational plans comply with program guidelines and release requirements.
• Ensures all documentation pertaining to residents’ services is completed in compliance with agency policies and release requirements.
• Promotes and maintains a positive public image for the program.
• Provides the community with information about the program and the employment potential of the residents.
• Ensures compliance with contractual obligations.