Employment Services Specialist - Older Adults

About the role

This is a community-based role that combines individualized employment support, career coaching, workforce navigation, employer engagement, and resource coordination. Successful Employment Services Specialists are approachable, organized, and committed to building trust with older adults who may be navigating homelessness, employment barriers, limited income, changing workforce expectations, or other challenges to stability.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized employment services, career coaching, and workforce navigation support to older adults
• Support clients in identifying employment goals, building job readiness skills, and addressing barriers to employment
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers, workforce development agencies, community organizations, and service providers
• Identify job opportunities, coordinate referrals, and support successful employment placements and retention
• Facilitate or support workshops, hiring events, employer outreach activities, and other workforce development initiatives
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation of services, client progress, outcomes, and employer engagement activities
• Collaborate with internal programs and external partners to connect clients to training, supportive services, and employment resources
• Represent Father Joe’s Villages professionally in employer, community, and workforce development settings
• Support program goals by promoting client engagement, job readiness, employment placement, and long-term stability

Requirements

• Associate degree in Human Services, Social Services, Workforce Development, Vocational Rehabilitation, Business, Education, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience providing employment services, job development, workforce development, career coaching, job placement, vocational services, or related services supporting individuals who face barriers to employment
• Experience working with older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability, individuals with disabilities, or other populations facing barriers to employment preferred
• Valid California Driver’s License and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle in accordance with organizational requirements
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency sufficient to provide employment services, conduct client assessments, facilitate workshops, communicate with employers and community partners, and document services in English and Spanish
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, databases, and other technology used to support employment services, documentation, and program reporting

Qualifications

• Knowledge of employment services, job development, job placement, workforce development systems, and community employment resources
• Ability to assess employment needs, identify barriers, and develop individualized employment strategies that align client strengths and qualifications with employer needs
• Strong skills in career exploration, job search support, resume development, interviewing preparation, job readiness coaching, and employment-related workshop facilitation
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with clients, employers, workforce development agencies, community organizations, and internal partners
• Strong employer engagement skills and ability to communicate client skills, strengths, and qualifications to prospective employers
• Knowledge of employment needs, opportunities, and barriers affecting older adults and other populations served by Father Joe’s Villages
• Ability to navigate community resources and supportive services that promote employment, income growth, financial stability, and long-term wellbeing
• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage an active caseload, maintain multiple employer relationships, document services accurately, and meet program requirements
• Strong verbal and written communication, sound judgment, professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Strong customer service orientation
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel as needed

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off, and professional development opportunities
• Access to wellness programs and employee assistance resources

Pay

The anticipated starting pay range for this position is $22.00 to $25.30 per hour. Final starting rate will be determined based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

Schedule

This is a full-time role that operates in office, classroom, program site, community, and employer environments. Work is generally performed Monday through Friday during standard business hours; however, schedule flexibility may occasionally be required to support hiring events, employer outreach activities, workforce development initiatives, workshops, and community-based services. Regular travel throughout the community is expected.