THE ORGANIZATION

Founded in 1999, CFUF strengthens urban communities by helping fathers and families achieve stability and economic success. As a pioneer in responsible fatherhood, family strengthening, and workforce development, CFUF’s programs seek to help clients fully exit poverty and sustain themselves and their families. CFUF serves Baltimore’s most marginalized populations in high-crime and high-poverty communities. Our members (the term we use when referring to our clients) are 98% African American, 60% male, 89% unemployed, 50% ex-offenders and homeless, and 30% without high school diplomas—over 90% face one or multiple temporary or chronic personal, logistical, or human barriers. 

All In is the Center for Urban Families’ comprehensive strategy to accelerate social and economic opportunity and advocate for policies that promote equity and racial justice. Leveraging 20 years of positive impact and applied learnings, the All In strategy targets two critical areas: chronic unemployment and family instability. The approach links individual accountability, person-centered case management, and supportive networks with workforce development training, education, and civic engagement. All In dismantles poverty and builds long-term social and economic prosperity that results in brighter futures for our members, their families, and the communities in which they live.

National impact: CFUF’s Practitioners Leadership Institute (PLI) provides technical assistance and promotes and extends best practices in family strengthening, responsible fatherhood, and workforce development to practitioners and key stakeholders nationwide. CFUF is also nationally renowned for its public policy work in the responsible fatherhood arena.

Cultureand Practice

CFUF is committed to high excellence and quality service to its stakeholders. Our culture thrives from a transparent, reflective, and creative environment. We are a highly autonomous workforce, and our staff embraces humor, food, fun, and a passion for serving our members. We believe in recognizing and rewarding high performers. All of these qualities and attributes make a premier employer of choice. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Employment Specialists focus on creating and sustaining strong employer buy-in to CFUF’s workforce development and training programs. This role requires an individual with a strong sales and marketing background passionate about helping Baltimore City residents. This dual-customer position (members and employers) will lead employer engagement practices that benefit hard-to-serve nontraditional workers. Additionally, this position’s broader responsibilities include: 1) Establishing and maintaining employer relationships related explicitly to generating employment opportunities and placements for CFUF members; 2) Working with STRIVE trainers to prepare CFUF participants to build resumes and interview skills as well as assist with job search preparation; 3) Coaching CFUF members one-on-one to assess employability and assist with job placement and retention; 4) Attending job fairs and employer engagement events; 5) Identifying employment trends and comparing industry data recognizing any consistent trends or results that could be used to inform decision making regarding occupational skills training; and 6) Documenting all employment placements and member interactions. The Employment Specialists will spend significant time in the field with employer partners or collaborating internally with the All In Case Managers. 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify and engage with viable employer partners. 
• Organize and facilitate mock interviews with employers for each STRIVE cycle.
• Achieve a set number of job leads, placements, replacements, and up placements per month based on strategic plan annual targets and document in the CFUF database.
• Maintain close engagement with employers throughout the job placement cycle and provide follow-up to ensure quality placements that meet the employer's job requirements.
• Maintain updated records and ensure all employment placement, replacement, and retention activities are documented in the CFUF database.
• Identify opportunities for upward mobility in employment for CFUF members.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with other private, local, state, and federal agencies involved in job placement.
• Work closely with the All In team to support positive CFUF member outcomes, job placements, and retention.
• Assist with the development of the Employer Advisory Board.
• Utilize Lightcast software to maintain keen insight into labor market trends and their impact on workforce development.
• Conduct professional training internally and externally.
• Coordinate and work on projects such as job fairs, employer focus groups, and job shadowing.
• Work with employers to create apprenticeship opportunities that lead to full-time work.
• Assist with developing the transitional employment model and facilitate and maintain relationships with transitional employer partners.
• Actively participate in team review meetings and assist in developing strategies for CFUF members that lead to increased job placement and retention. 
• Align with business leaders to foster and nurture strategic partners that enable members’ economic mobility.
• Analyze and interpret various employer reports (e.g., compensation, job levels, and attrition) to guide decision-making.
• Facilitate building relationships with multiple company representatives, not just human resource staff.
• Identify the company’s growth plans and implications for hiring and advancement.
• Involve employer in CFUF and solicit input for continuous improvement.
• Participate in DHS, SNAP E &T by offering deliverable billable activities to members. 
• Record accurate time and effort logs related to DHS, SNAP E & T activities and efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• deep industry knowledge in targeted sectors;
• access to employer networks associated with targeted sectors;
• access to and utilization of labor market data and information.
• understanding occupational skills and job requirements; and
• connection to industry and sector partnerships and working groups.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Bachelor’s degree in business, sales, marketing, or related field preferred. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 3-5 years of experience working with disadvantaged individuals in a workforce and job placement setting. 
• Compassionate and invested in working with disadvantaged individuals, families, and communities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; attention to detail required.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships (within corporate, public, and community-based agencies). 
• Must work well within a team and independent environment and value a collaborative work setting.
• Must be able to work virtually and in person based on CFUF’s COVID guidelines.
• Strong executive presence with superior networking skills.
• Strong data management and data entry skills.
• Knowledge of working with electronic databases a plus (i.e., ETO and Apricot).
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable automobile transportation.
• Ability and willingness to travel and attend meetings and appointments required. 
• Must be resourceful, resilient, and tenacious with high personal integrity and passion for CFUF’s mission to accelerate social and economic opportunities and advocate for policies that promote equity and racial justice.

CFUFis an equal-opportunity employer.