Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

Metropolitan Family Services is now hiring 1 full-time Workforce Specialist for our North Center!

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

• Ensure compliance with agency and programmatic standards to meet client needs.
• Maintain and submit to Workforce Development Director, placement reports, employer partnership agreements, success stories, calendars/flyers of upcoming events, employment/employer leads, and other required information.
• Coordinates employment partner recruitment with Job Developers agency wide.
• Coordinate workforce services trainings including scheduling, workshop curriculum, facilitators, and external vendors for training, agency wide.
• Works collaboratively with other program staff to carry out program goals.
• Develop and foster professional relationships with employers, placement agencies, and temporary agencies to ensure consistent contact for job leads within the community based on assessed needs of clients.
• Make presentations to businesses within the Chicagoland area to promote Workforce Services programs and to develop new employment opportunities for Job Seekers.
• Design and develop employment service marketing program. Make presentations to business within the community to promote employment services program and develop new jobs for consumers. 
• Perform situational assessments and vocational explorations. Observe and document consumers vocational assets and limitation, ability to engage in competitive employment, need for and ability to benefit from supported employment, including natural supports.
• Facilitate Job Clubs with guest speakers and employers about various life skills, career development, job related topics, income supports, job leads, etc.
• Assist clients in obtaining permanent, unsubsidized jobs in high-demand industries.
• Provide work support and referrals.
• Handles emergency and crisis situations with residents.
• Works within contract, grant, and program requirements including meeting timelines and reporting requirements.
• Utilizes a team approach and works with other program staff in the planning and implementation of services.
• Takes increasing responsibility for own professional development, utilizing supervision and other developmental opportunities within and outside the agency to enhance skills and understanding.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service populations.
• Highly organized. Knowledge of Excel to track economic self-sufficiency data.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least five years of training or demonstrated experience in a related area. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• MFS staff are required to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved Medical exemption prior to starting employment. If an approved Medical is obtained, weekly testing may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch.
• The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

 SALARY:

• Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $48,410.

Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals: 

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options
• 12 paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401K Plan
• Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
• Wellness Initiative Program
• Employee Assistance Network