Employment Specialist, Breaking Barriers

Description

Breaking Barriers is an innovative 24 month rapid rehousing program that serves adults who are on felony probation in Los Angeles County and are experiencing homelessness. Breaking Barriers provides employment services, a rental subsidy combined with housing retention, and intensive case management services. The goal is for clients to fully assume rental payments and “transition in place” at program end.

Position Summary

The Employment Specialist works 1-on-1 with clients to provide employment services with the goal that clients get ready for a job, find a job, and keep a job. Responsible for a dedicated caseload, the successful candidate will have the ability to use independent judgment, exceptional organizational skills, and have a willingness to incorporate emerging industry best practices and techniques in their work.  The candidate will also have a willingness to travel throughout Los Angeles County, with approximately 50-60% of the time spent in the field

Duties and responsibilities to include, but not limited to:

Provide Client Support, Guidance and Case Management

• Orient, assess job readiness, and provide employment counseling services for working and non-working clients
• Conduct 1-on-1 job readiness activities with clients, including job preparation classes, resume building, practice interviews, job applications, computer tutorials, cover letters, reference lists, job search guidance, etc.
• Meet with clients frequently and regularly in the home, community, and office to develop and implement an individualized employment services plan and identify short and long-term goals
• Providing encouragement & motivation to clients throughout the job search process
• Provide referrals to educational, training, Chrysalis social enterprises and other social services
• Maintain up-to-date referral resources for clients to facilitate employment search

Foster Strong Client, Colleague, and Partner Relationships

• Participate in Chrysalis meetings and case conferences sharing best practices and providing thought partnership to colleagues 
• Collaborate and communicate with all Breaking Barriers partners on a regular basis 
• Provide training ideas and resources to leadership team, including the opportunity to conduct workshops for colleagues within the department and across the organization
• Celebrate achievements and brainstorm solutions for department and organization-wide goals
• Adhere to all Chrysalis policies and procedures and code of ethics
• Represent Chrysalis to stakeholders by providing site tours and presenting on services

Monitor Client Progress & Program Outcomes

• Maintain accurate client/program data to manage caseload and generate reports as needed
• Document each service, the outcome and next steps, as well as any observations of clients’ skills, job readiness, and/or growth opportunities into the Salesforce case management database
• Analyze and report weekly/monthly/quarterly data as required to maintain accurate client and program-based statistics

Job Skills & Qualifications

• 2 years direct services/relevant experience preferred
• Experience working with individuals who have been affected by the criminal justice system and/or individuals who have experienced homelessness preferred
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred
• Passion for the Chrysalis’s mission
• Strong interpersonal and client engagement skills
• Ability to interact with clients, colleagues, partners from various cultures and lifestyles  with diplomacy and tact
• Excellent verbal, written, and written communication skills
• Self-starter with “can do” attitude and initiative
• Strong organizational and record keeping skills
• Ability to work independently and utilize critical thinking skills in decision making situations
• Ability to work in a fast-paced professional environment
• Flexibility regarding scheduling and prioritization of tasks
• Maintain confidential information and exercise discretion 
• Computer knowledge (Internet research, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and willingness to learn other systems as required

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

FAIR CHANCE HIRING STATEMENT

Chrysalis is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals who share lived experience with the communities we serve. In particular, Chrysalis welcomes applicants who are formerly incarcerated and/or justice-involved; people who have experienced housing insecurity and/or economic inequity; Black, Indigenous, and people of color; persons with disabilities; ethnic and religious minorities; and members of the LGBTQ community.