What are the responsibilities and job description for the Job Placement Specialist, Ladders for Leaders Youth Employment Program position at Commonpoint Queens?
Ladders for Leaders provides paid professional internships to NYC youth between the ages of 16 and 24. Applicants are evaluated based on academic performance, response to an essay question, and résumé quality. Selected applicants will undertake 20-30 hours of pre-employment training designed to teach essential workplace readiness skills and professional etiquette. Participants will then have the opportunity to interview for summer internships at a variety of companies. As a vital member of the Commonpoint Ladders for Leaders team, the Job Placement Specialist supports program participants in preparing for and securing internships by providing personalized job-readiness guidance and matching them with suitable opportunities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Job Placement Specialist will:
Review participant resumes to assess qualifications for their chosen internship roles. Distinguish between a poorly written resume with strong underlying experience and one that genuinely lacks experience.
- Provide constructive feedback and suggestions to improve resume content, structure, and overall presentation.
- Analyze job descriptions and company qualifications to identify potential fit between applicants and roles.
- Search and screen candidates in the applicant database based on criteria such as career goals, academic background, skills, and location.
Apply standardized evaluation criteria or scoring rubrics to ensure consistent and fair resume assessments.
- Categorize applicants (e.g., strong match, needs improvement, insufficient experience) to streamline Program Director review.
- Prepare brief notes or summaries explaining key strengths, concerns, or reasons for categorization.
- Verify that resumes meet basic formatting, completeness, and submission requirements before forwarding.
- Flag missing information, red flags, or exceptional strengths for the Program Director’s attention.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Google Sheets and other tracking systems throughout the review process.
- Communicate with participants as needed via phone, email, or text (e.g., to request updated resumes or missing details).
Attend staff meetings and collaborate with the Ladders for Leaders team as needed. Contribute to continuous improvement of resume review processes and related job-readiness efforts.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma (or equivalent).
- Current undergraduate or graduate students, as well as recent graduates, are encouraged to apply.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.
- Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring alignment with educational standards (e.g., College and Career Frameworks, Social-Emotional Development).
- Adaptability and eagerness to learn new tools and methodologies.
ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Proficiency with Google Workspace tools (Drive, Sheets, Forms, Docs).
- Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Prior experience in career services, workforce development, or education programs is a plus.
JOB DETAILS
- Schedule: Seasonal, Part Time, 15-19 Hours Per Week
- Salary: $19 /hour
- Expected Start Date: January
- Modality: Remote
This role is an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about career development and education. You will play a key role in empowering NYC youth to build professional skills and launch their careers.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume, as a Word or PDF document only, to L4L@Commonpoint.org. Please indicate “Job Placement Specialist” in the subject line. Due to the high volume of applicants, only qualified candidates will be contacted.
Salary : $19