Employment Specialist

Primary Purpose

To provide job readiness, workforce development, and employment support to Young Adults ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness or are in the process of being housed.

Essential Functions

• Engage clients using a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach, establishing trusting, collaborative, strength-based relationships focused on empowerment, self-efficacy, and long-term employment success.
  • Meet with clients in person, including in their homes, community locations, and shelter settings, to deliver accessible, youth-centered employment supports.
  • Provide resume building, interview preparation, and employment skill-building that highlights youth strengths, talents, and future goals.
  • Develop individualized employment plans collaboratively with youth, incorporating their goals, preferences, and feedback, and coordinating with the assigned case worker to support holistic stabilization.
  • Conduct job development and job search activities that build on each youth's strengths and interests, consistent with PYD's focus on individualized opportunity creation.
  • Support youth in making employer contacts, submitting applications, and exploring career opportunities, while coaching confidence, self-advocacy, and workplace readiness.
  • Cook with community employment providers to bring presenters, workforce training, certification opportunities, and youth-friendly employment resources directly to clients.
  • Provide individualized support to help youth maintain employment, navigate workplace challenges, and continue building their vocational identity and independence.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Diversion, Rapid Rehousing, Permanent Supportive Housing and Transitional Housing) and external partners, promoting a coordinated, youth-driven continuum of support grounded in Positive Youth Development.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Human Services (or similar) or Associate's Degree and three years human service experience required.
• At least 3 years of experience providing employment services.
• Experience working with people experiencing homelessness that are diagnosed with serious mental illnesses and/or substance use disorder.

Physical Demands

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The associate must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.