Direct Service Worker, Employment Specialist

Join a Mission-Driven Team

LSS Center for New Americans seeks a Direct Service Worker to assist new Americans in securing employment. If you enjoy engaging with diverse cultures and have a passion for your community, we invite you to apply! #YouareLSS

HOURS: Full-time, 40hours, Monday- Friday. Requires some evening and weekend work.

HOURLY: Non-Exempt. Dependent on experience and qualifications

LOCATION: 300 E 6th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57103

BENEFITS: LSS is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.

• $600 hiring bonus* external candidates only
• PTO Time Frontload Up to 24 Hours for benefit-eligible employees
• 8 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) 3% match
• Four Wellmark BCBS medical plan options with HSA & FSA options
• Dental and Vision plans
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family 
• Career development opportunities, hands-on training, and mentorship
• Employee Assistance Program

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employment & Client Support

• Assist New Americans in searching for, applying for, obtaining, and retaining employment that aligns with their skills, experience, education, and career goals.
• Conduct client intake and assessments to identify employment needs and establish short- and long-term goals.
• Assist clients with developing resumes and cover letters, completing job applications, preparing for interviews, and navigating the job search process.
• Provide mock interviews and coaching on interview etiquette, communication, and effective interview techniques.
• Offer training and support with computer use, online job searches, applications, and other employment-related technology.
• Assist clients in navigating community resources and services that support employment, self-sufficiency, and successful community integration. 
• Provide logistical support to help newly arrived individuals obtain important documents and access necessary services.
• Maintain professional and confidential communication with clients and maintain accurate, timely, and complete client records.
• Complete required paperwork and ensure documents, receipts, and client records are properly scanned, uploaded, and maintained.
• Travel throughout the Sioux Falls area to meet client and program needs.

Community & Youth Engagement

• Support the LSS relationship with diverse communities throughout Sioux Falls by developing and maintaining positive relationships with community members, resource partners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain opportunities for continued engagement with youth, families, business owners, and community organizations to promote information sharing, support, understanding, and trust.
• Collaborate with community partners and Center for New Americans staff to plan and implement healthy, inclusive, and engaging activities and events that support youth and families.
• Help ensure youth programs are responsive to the needs of Sioux Falls' diverse communities, particularly individuals and families who have arrived in the United States within the past five years.
• Support newly arrived youth in developing connections with peers and becoming integrated into established communities.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources and services available to youth and their families and make appropriate referrals.
• Assist youth and families in accessing information and resources related to post-secondary education, GED programs, alternative high school options, extracurricular activities, summer school, employment opportunities, and other educational and social supports.
• Encourage youth to identify and pursue opportunities that support their educational, employment, personal, and social goals.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bi-lingual skills strongly preferred but not required.

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field, plus one to two years related experience is required. 
• Equivalent combination of some higher education and experience. 
• Basic computer skills of Outlook, Word, Adobe, Salesforce and Excel. The ability to operate general office equipment (i.e. phone, fax, copy machine, PC) is required. 
• Must be at least 21 years of age, is required. 
• Willingness to submit to record checks to detect criminal convictions of behavior harmful towards children, spousal abuse, distributing drugs or sex crimes. 
• Requires a valid auto-insurance, a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one with approved driver status.
• Travel is occasionally required to meet with families, attend meetings, and coordinate services within the community. Travel is required. Mileage reimbursement

LSS Expectations & Core Values

At LSS, we are committed to upholding the following values in all aspects of our work:

Compassionate – We engage with empathy and provide non-judgmental services.
Appreciative – We recognize and develop the strengths of our clients and employees.
Respectful – We build professional and collaborative relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues.
Ethical – We uphold high standards of integrity and quality in all actions.
Strategic – We anticipate and respond proactively to community needs.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Please note: As part of our hiring process and to meet accreditation requirements, applicants will be asked to complete a prescreen questionnaire.

If you need accommodations filling out the application, please fill out the following form listing what accommodations are needed at LSS will address comments, questions or concerns.