The Workforce Development Facilitator is responsible for evaluating the interest and job readiness of youth offenders in the Raise the Age program. Upon receiving referral from the RTA Case Manager conducts face-to-face meetings with youth offenders to discuss a) their education level (including literacy and English language proficiency); b) any past work experiences; c) self-identified skills, proficiencies and aptitudes; and d) known vocational interests. The position also seeks to identify existing impediments to employment—such as known support needs related to their family circumstances, to their financial history and to their personal health status. Additionally, the position is required to establish connections and develop relationships with possible employers, including educating them on the potential benefits of hiring someone enrolled in the program.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures the Case Manager is kept up to date on the participants’ progress and/or any concerns/problems encountered.
• Meets face-to-face with youth offenders to administer formal assessment tools that will help facilitate discussion regarding their employments interest and goals, as well as any current impediments or barriers to employment.
• Develops person-centered Employment Aspiration Plans that are driven by goals for employment to reflect youth’s interests and support needs.
• Provides or arranges for the completion of more diagnostic vocational evaluations, which might include community-based situational assessments and/or the use of specialized standard assessments to measure abilities, aptitudes, and interests.
• Provides career exploration counseling services, connecting youth to prospective employers, and assisting with researching employment opportunities.
• Assists job seekers with developing resumes, completing employment applications, attending job interviews, and other hiring requirements.
• Provides work readiness skills development services to assist youth in acquiring essential workplace soft skills and work-related daily living skills to help youth secure entry-level employment in desired fields.
• Seeks to identify work experience services to create paid work experiences (e.g. internships) that align with career goals and mandated treatment goals.
• Provides ongoing job development, placement, and retention services.
• Participates in community outreach events that will help identify employment opportunities for youth and that educate business on the value of engaging the people served in employment opportunities.
• Conducts community outreach activities in an attempt to engage with businesses that could be potential employers and educate them on the benefits of hiring these youth.
• Conducts job search services to help youth search for employment in the immediate term and to gain the lifelong skills necessary for finding jobs after exiting the program.
• Provides vocational education training referral and engagement services to connect youth to other formal vocational training opportunities offered at organizations throughout Erie County.
• Maintains working knowledge of the WNY job market to isolate new employers and to connect the people we serve to high growth/high demand industries that align with their goals and abilities.
• When necessary, engages and refers youth to High School Equivalency (HSE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) instructions.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma/GED.
• At least 3 years experience in assisting individuals in delivering job placement and preparedness services, preferably to youth and/or those at risk or involved in the criminal justice system.
• Relevant experience in conducting outreach to the business community, in building and coordinating collaborative partnerships and/or in engaging and mobilizing stakeholders to advance community-based projects and initiatives.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of the local job market.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills.

Verifications and Screenings

• County clearance of criminal convictions.
• A drug screen prior to the commencement of employment.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Exercising independent judgment, concentrating, thinking, communicating, interacting with others, managing multiple tasks and coping with stressful situations and deadlines.
• Staying awake and alert while on duty.
• Ability to perform sedentary physical activity of an administrative nature.

Be authorized as an Agency Driver by

• Holding and maintaining a valid NYS Driver’s License.
• Maintaining an approved driving record according to Agency Policy and Procedure.
• Have and maintain have use of personal vehicle for work purposes; travel between work locations and transporting people served.
• Proof of insurance being current as a driver on personal vehicle being used for work purposes.

Community Services for Every1 has supported the people of our community for over 30 years. Those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and those who are simply in need. Every day, our efforts support over 2,000 individuals of all abilities, across counties. We are here for Western New Yorkers – all of them.

Helping those in need takes very special people. And those people are the lifeblood of Community Services for Every1. They’re employees who thrive on helping and who have a passion for connecting. Who can form lifelong bonds with the people they support and make the biggest difference in the lives of fellow Western New Yorkers.

Just as we empower those we serve, we strive to empower each other. We support our colleagues through challenges and we collaborate to find the best solutions – and we work hard to help each other grow. Community Services for Every1 offers competitive starting pay based on directly related experience, generous time off, excellent benefits plans and an opportunity to grow!