Employment Specialist (WEMPSPEC-01)

Join New Freedom – Where Second Chances Become Bright Futures

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About Us

At New Freedom, we don’t just believe in second chances—we help people thrive because of them. We are a mission-driven, high-performance organization committed to strengthening communities and empowering justice-involved and formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully rebuild their lives.

We move fast, expect a lot from each other, and show up every day to do meaningful, impactful work. If you’re driven, collaborative, and energized by making a real difference—this is where you belong.

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Why You’ll Love Working Here

We take care of the people who take care of others. At New Freedom, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay and strong benefits package
• $0 medical plan option employer-supported coverage
• 401(k) with match
• Generous paid time off
• Free meals, snacks, drinks, gym access
• A mission that matters—and a team that works hard to deliver on it

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About the Role

The Employment Specialist supports members in obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment by providing job-readiness services, career coaching, placement assistance, workforce development support, and employment retention services. Working closely with internal teams, employer partners, and community resources, this position helps members overcome barriers, build confidence, and successfully transition into the workforce.

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Is passionate about helping individuals achieve financial independence and stability
• Enjoys coaching, mentoring, and motivating others
• Thrives in a fast-paced, relationship-driven environment
• Enjoys building partnerships between individuals and employers
• Believes in second chances and the power of meaningful employment
• Wants to make a direct impact on recovery, reentry, and long-term success

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What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Meeting individually with members to assess employment goals, skills, interests, strengths, and barriers
• Developing individualized employment plans to support career and workforce success
• Assisting members with resumes, applications, cover letters, and job-search activities
• Providing interview preparation, mock interviews, and employment coaching
• Connecting members with employers, hiring events, workforce development opportunities, and community resources
• Supporting members throughout the application, hiring, onboarding, and employment retention process
• Helping members address barriers related to transportation, work clothing, identification, technology, background concerns, and other employment challenges
• Collaborating with treatment teams, re-entry staff, vocational specialists, and employer partners to support successful employment outcomes

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What Success Looks Like

• Members successfully obtain and maintain meaningful employment
• Employment goals, placements, and retention outcomes consistently improve
• Members develop confidence, professional skills, and long-term workforce readiness
• Employment barriers are identified and proactively addressed
• Strong relationships are maintained with employers, workforce partners, and community organizations
• Documentation, outcome tracking, and service delivery remain accurate and compliant

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What We’re Looking For

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Criminal Justice, Workforce Development, Business, or a related field preferred
• Minimum two years of experience in workforce development, employment services, behavioral health, case management, vocational rehabilitation, human services, or a related field
• Strong communication, coaching, motivational interviewing, and relationship-building skills
• Strong organizational and documentation skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, internet-based platforms, and Electronic Health Record systems
• Ability to work effectively with individuals involved in recovery, reentry, behavioral health, and other underserved populations
• Experience working with justice-involved, recovery, reentry, or behavioral health populations preferred
• Experience in staffing, recruiting, vocational rehabilitation, workforce services, job development, or employment placement preferred
• Knowledge of local labor markets, workforce resources, and employment programs preferred
• Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP), PRSS, or related certification preferred

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Environment Physical Demands

This position works in office, behavioral health, vocational, workforce development, and community-based environments.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Frequent interaction with members, employers, workforce agencies, and community partners
• Local travel to employer sites, hiring events, job fairs, community meetings, and workforce development activities
• Regular coaching, facilitation, documentation, and case management activities
• Frequent use of computers, mobile technology, and electronic documentation systems
• Occasional evening or weekend activities based on workforce development and employer engagement needs

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Our Standard

We’re building something meaningful—and that requires people who show up, contribute, collaborate, and take ownership.

If you're looking for a role where you can make a real impact, be part of a driven team, and help shape the future of an organization—we want to hear from you.

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Equal Opportunity

New Freedom is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, a drug and alcohol-free workplace, and compliant with Veteran and ADA regulations.

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"We’re not here to do small work—we’re here to change lives, rewrite stories, and rebuild communities. At New Freedom, you won’t just have a job. You’ll have a mission—to turn second chances into powerful comebacks."