Lawrence Hall is Hiring an Employment Specialist - CYEP Near Chicago, IL
WHO WE ARE: Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicago's youth, families, and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years, Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective, evidence-based, and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs-Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness-have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by not only becoming more community based, but also by developing more preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicago's communities. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Employment Specialist reports to the Lead Employment Specialist. Responsible for developing subsidized and competitive (unsubsidized) employment opportunities with prospective employers. Upon completion of the curriculum, Employment Specialist coordinates referrals to employment, provides follow-up and aftercare services. Effective use of verbal and written communications skills. Use of crisis intervention techniques (both verbal and physical). Use of physical intervention requires the ability to kneel and return to standing without assistance. Requires knowledge of trauma exposure, knowledge of the 5 S's of trauma: Safety, Self-Regulation/Soothing, Supportive, Strengths, Self-Care, and an understanding of and recognition of the signs of traumatic stress. Employment Specialist must have the flexibility to adjust work schedule to the needs of the program. RESPONSIBILITIES:
Primary responsibilities include identifying, developing, and maintaining high level employer relationships with business owners, general managers, regional managers and human resources personnel for subsidized employment placements and competitive employment opportunities
Manage employer relationships to promote retention of youth and creation of new employment opportunities
Assist participants with self-directed placement activities to secure competitive employment
Assist participants in securing employment opportunities in industries of interest or skill level and fields of high growth
Utilize current resources and develop new resources for assisting participants in obtaining full and part-time, subsidized and competitive work experiences
Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.
Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization
Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants
Keep abreast of current and future job market trends, utilizing information for workforce development guidance, and to provide job placements in high demand areas
Establish a job bank specific to youth employment opportunities
Cultivate employment opportunities for program participants through research, networking, outreach and job placement development
Work with the Lead Employment Specialist and the Development Department to create marketing material for employer recruitment. This may include written material as well as social media
Prepare and communicate job requirements and employer interest to carefully match program participants
Serves as the primary contact person to employers and maintains database of communications with current and potential employers
Document employer contacts and job placement outcomes
Monitor youth performance and participation
Deliver follow-up services to placed participants
Participate in program evaluation as required
Provide ongoing employment services including job searches, submission of applications and resumes, and coordinating interviews
Create a quarterly job placement newsletter
Facilitate access to on-line job searching, job bank and other technological assistance, as needed
Attend all team meetings and in-service training as required
Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month period
Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
Participate in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned
Maintain a professional standard when representing the agency or youth
Engage in continuing education and professional development in an effort to provide best practice
Assist in transportation of youth to interviews and work as needed
Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in a human services field (social work, psychology, counseling) or human resources and related experience preferred. Or High School Diploma/equivalent with 3 years of related job development experience. Strong sales ability
Must be highly organized, detail focused, have excellent time management and possess strong computer skills.
Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred
Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength based approach preferred
Personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance
Valid Illinois Driver's license
No history of child abuse or neglect
Ability to pass background and drug screen
Highlighted benefits
Provides full time employees 2 times their salary in term life insurance for no additional cost
Reimburses your gym memberships up to $20 per month to aid on your overall fitness and health
Offers 100% match up to 3% on your retirement savings after 1 year of service
All employees start off with an average of 17-25 days of PTO
Employee Referral Program gives employees an opportunity to receive up to $1500 for referring candidates
9 paid holidays off
Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet all listed qualifications. We look forward to your application. Position meets the FLSA requirement for Exempt Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V