JOB TITLE: Vocational Specialist

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

LEVEL: Program Support III

DEPARTMENT: PCDSVC Transitional Housing Program

REPORTS TO: PCDSVC Program Director

JOB SUMMARY:

Passaic County Domestic and Sexual Violence Center (PCDSVC) Transitional Vocational Specialist is responsible for developing partnerships with agencies, institutions, companies and community members that can contribute to increasing gainful living wages for adults and families experiencing or who have experienced domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and homelessness. A successful candidate in this role will be able to both develop strategic partnerships that advance employment opportunities for adults living in supportive housing and emergency shelter who are unemployed/underemployed, while also lending professional support and guidance to adults, readying them for gainful employment opportunities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

• Provide case management, counseling, and advocacy to individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence entering shelter
• Assess clients’ primary areas of support and needs, and respond to self-identified goals by providing advocacy and referrals related to housing, public assistance, immigration, employment, education, children’s and other issues.
• Identify, develop and enhance partnerships with career development collaborative between PCDSVC and agencies, institutions, companies and community members that will hire individuals with barriers such as criminal backgrounds, no/inconsistent job history, or low educational attainment;
• Conduct outreach to employers to find training and professional development opportunities for adults in supportive housing and emergency shelter;
• Maintain highest level of cooperative and professional relationships with employers, community members and corporate contacts;
• Provide referrals to employment support agencies that offer job training, internships, apprenticeships or training programs.

Employment Services

• Establish professional relationships with adults in supportive housing and shelter environments that are unemployed, underemployed or have minimal educational attainment;
• Increase household income in 30 days or less than by partnering adults with opportunities that will allow for a living wage;
• Collaborate with varying program case managers to identify and assess the needs of adult family members that are unemployed/underemployed.
• Meet, assess and create action plans with adults that are in need of employment support on a weekly/biweekly basis;
• Engage adult family members in need of support in identifying & assessing strengths that will assist create short and long-term employment goals;
• Identify & reduce barriers to gainful employment;
• Empower those in need of services with skills & support on job applications, resumes, interview attire, and interviews;
• Host or connect to partners for job fairs, employment skills training/classes/seminars;
• Create an employment board/online forum with daily updates of available employment leads and opportunities;
• Connect adult family members with opportunities that will allow for professional growth such as skill certification classes/programs or collegiate opportunities;
• Offer resources, training and skills that will encourage/promote employment retention and professional growth.
• Populate monthly/quarterly/annual reports that will document vocational program results (i.e., the number of individuals served, average number of days from unemployed to employed, average household income increases, etc.,)
• All other duties as assigned

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or any other relatable field with a minimum two years’ experience providing counseling, residential services, and/or crisis intervention.
• Completion of NJ 40-hour State Mandated Domestic Violence Training and or 40 hour CSVA training
• Experience in Trauma informed Cares, Crisis intervention and/or services for domestic violence survivors preferred.
• Some evening and overnight availability may be necessary
• Knowledge and experience working with victims of trauma, specifically children.
• Experienced in the area of domestic violence, child abuse, trauma or related children’s issues
• Experience with individual counseling, group counseling or play therapy
• Experienced at relating to children through understanding, respect and skilled communication.
• Ability to work independently, set goals and accomplish with a sense of urgency
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality and agency confidentiality
• Ability to work with a diverse client population.
• Ability to follow proper safety protocols and agency policies to ensure the safety and well-being of the child (ren) clients.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to a currently registered vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The New Jersey Association on Correction is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, lawful political affiliation or group membership, physical handicap, age, marital status, sexual orientation, prior involvement in the criminal justice system, off the job lawful activities or physical appearance.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• job placement: 2 years (Required)
• community relations: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Paterson, NJ 07513: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person