Employment Specialist

TITLE: BILINGUAL EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY HUB

LOCATION: The Open Door Shelter Inc., Norwalk, CT 06854

POSITION SUMMARY: The Employment Specialist provides direct services to individuals with lower to moderate income, who are enrolled as Economic Opportunity Hub participants. Employment specialists assist clients in preparing for the workforce through education, training, and job readiness preparation. The main focus of this position centers on one-on-one employment counseling, but it also includes job-readiness classes for the community. This is a full-time non-exempt position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Develop relationships with local training and education providers to identify skill development opportunities.
• Network in the community with local businesses to develop relationships to meet job placement needs.
• Conduct skills and training needs assessments
• Discuss employment plans based on the client’s employment goals
• Assist clients in developing a professional resume
• Prepare clients for the interview and hiring process including conducting mock interviews
• Connect clients with employment opportunities
• Maintain contact with clients and monitor the status of their employment. Services to working clients include job coaching at the work site as necessary, assisting in supervisor conversations, and feedback to better support individuals maintaining employment.
• Use Salesforce to document clients’ employment updates
• Represent Open Doors at job fairs and community events
• Assist in the facilitation and presentation of group-based education on employment topics (interviewing skills, resume writing, career choices, etc.); developing workshop materials to meet the needs of the community.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Spanish fluency is required
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited institution or equivalent
• Two years’ previous experience in workforce development preferred
• Previous work experience with the target population, assisting program participants with multiple barriers to success.
• Strong communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Internet and Resource Savvy.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The job’s incumbent(s) are responsible for performing other business-related duties as assigned by management. Open Doors is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions will be made without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, genetic predisposition, citizenship, marital status or status as victim of domestic violence, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law.