What are the responsibilities and job description for the Employment Specialist - Charleston, South Carolina position at Concordance?
Department: Career Coach
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
About Concordance
Concordance’s reentry program is designed to dramatically reduce recidivism by helping individuals with justice involvement lead meaningful, abundant, and joyful lives. Our holistic, evidence-based model offers a wide range of services - therapy, case management, yoga, behavioral health and substance use recovery groups, spiritual care, life skills, medical care, education, and job readiness. Each participant is formally supported by our Care Team for a full year, ensuring stability and long-term success. Now operating in Missouri, South Carolina, and Virginia, Concordance is a national leader in compassionate, innovative reentry care.
Position Overview:
The Employment Specialist plays a critical role in the success of our participants. Employment Specialist works directly with participants to facilitate education, prepare participants for long-term career success and provide support in securing employment. This role participates in employer outreach, delivers classroom-based education, one-on-one coaching, and supports participants with successful employment throughout the program.
Key Responsibilities - your role will involve:
Key Responsibilities:
Participant Support:
- Teach standard curriculum and develop enrichment activities that enhance participant learning
- Assess participant knowledge and job readiness through formal and informal assessments and classroom observations
- Guide participants on career planning; make recommendations for continuing education and leverage tools to help the participant identify skills, interests and strengths
- Conducting impactful 1:1 and group sessions, maintaining frequent and supportive participant communication. Meet minimum requirements for 1:1 Sessions.
- Preparing for sessions with participants by reviewing curriculum and participant case notes
- Collaborating closely with participants’ care team, including Case Managers and Therapists, to ensure coordination of services and holistic care delivery
- Documenting participant interactions, progress, and challenges in electronic record system
- Engaging with employed participations to review progress and intercept challenges that may hinder full-time employment
- Attending team meetings and trainings
- Serving as primary point of contact for local employers
- Build relationships with employer networks, chambers, apprenticeships and educational organizations
- Scheduling site tours and employer visits
Personal Attributes:
- Passion for our mission
- Effective intervention skills and expertise in Career Coaching
- Flexibility and adaptability to provide support throughout phases of Concordance’s programming
- Effective communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders
- Skill in documenting interactions in case notes and flagging participant needs
- Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and compassion in all interactions
- CPR / Adult First Aid certification preferred
- Preferred certifications: Certified Professional Career Coach and/or Offenders Workforce Development Specialist
- High school degree or equivalent
- Valid, Class E Driver’s License and comfortability transporting groups in a vehicle provided by Concordance
- 2-3 years of workforce development, training, counseling, coaching, and/or experience directly supporting a formerly incarcerated population
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This person must be able to sit or stand at a personal computer for typing and reading. This person must be able to see, hear, speak, walk, and sit. Must be able to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- For center events, this person must be willing to help set up, which may include but is not limited to moving classrooms around and carrying and setting up tables and chairs.
- Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a transformative mission and make a lasting impact on the lives of justice-involved individuals. As part of the Concordance team, you'll play a crucial role in advancing our vision and shaping the future of reentry services nationwide.
Team Benefits:
We understand the importance of work-life balance and the value of ensuring time for yourself and your family. We offer competitive pay and paid time off, a matching 401(k), and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. Additionally, we cover other benefits such as basic life insurance, AD&D, professional development opportunities, and an EAP program, which gives you quick access to a wide range of life resources.
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- A dynamic and supportive work environment
- Matching 401(K) program
- Generous PTO
- Health & Wellness Stipend
The offer for the right candidate is contingent upon successfully completing the following requirements:
- Passing a drug test
- Satisfactory completion of a background check
- Verification of employment Verification of education
- Verification of employment eligibility via I-9
- Signing the team member handbook
- Declaration of no conflicts of interest