Job Developer

VOALA (Volunteers of America) is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOA - LA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities, including Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

About the role

The Job Developer serves on a team that coordinates and provides job placement and support services for assigned clients.

Responsibilities

• Develop an individualized employment plan with each participant
• Conduct employability assessments of potential participants, including assessing level of ability, readiness for work, physical and mental capabilities, educational background, skills, and identification of challenges and barriers to employment
• Write complete and detailed individualized employment plans outlining activities and community referrals, with concise and clear goals to be tracked
• Develop a service plan for each participant
• Conduct comprehensive screenings and assessments with veterans to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate
• Draft a Service Plan that complements the Employment Plan
• Provide career counseling and job coaching, including labor market trends to job seekers, and coordinate job skills training as outlined in participant employment plan
• Provide job readiness skills training (soft skills) in areas of resume preparation, interviewing, and job search techniques
• Arrange interviews with employers and work with participants on job retention issues
• Develop and maintain working relationships with local employers, creating long-term permanent placement opportunities for program participants
• Develop a resource base of employers committed to giving priority hiring attention to HVRP
• Represent the interests of the agency, the program, and its participants in all networking and public relations opportunities
• Develop and coordinate linkages with job skills training resources in high-demand fields
• Coordinate with EDD Worksource Centers, Department of Rehabilitation, Los Angeles Unified School District, various community and faith-based providers, Veterans Administration, and other Veteran social service and employment resources to ensure participants have access to available services
• Meet regularly with program participants, aiding their job search by scheduling interviews, referring job leads, and community services to ensure participant success
• Monitor and track job placement activities on a regular basis to ensure accurate and timely reporting of progress
• Services for this position must be provided on-site; incumbents are required to report to work on-site each day of active employment
• Other duties as required and subject to change at any time

Requirements

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment, and education verifications
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients, as VOALA serves individuals facing homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recent incarceration, and other challenges
• High school diploma (or GED/High School Equivalence Certificate) and must be over the age of 18 years
• 1 year of experience in case management or as a job developer

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience in employment placement and vocational counseling activities
• US Armed Forces veteran (strongly preferred but not required)
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

Pay

$22.49 - $23.67 per hour

Benefits

VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.

Essential Ability Acknowledgement

As a Mandated Reporter, all employees must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities. This role requires working with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients, including those experiencing homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, or recent incarceration.