JOB SUMMARY: Employment Specialists assist job seekers with finding employment to ensure long term stability and job retention. They work with job seekers to identify areas of interest, evaluate barriers, and create plans to locate job or career tracks that make sense for the individual. Job seekers who have considerable challenges are escalated from the JCC to the Employment Specialist for support. All GCPI certificate graduates also have access to the Employment Specialist for access to Goodwill employer partners and the identification of additional supports for continuity in employment.

NOTE: This is not a supervisory role.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Assistance with job searches.

• Punctual and dependable attendance.
• Completes assessments, individual employment plans, and conducts interviews with job seekers to determine employability and access to gainful employment opportunities.
• Supports job seekers through use of interviewing techniques and offering opportunities to build skills through other Goodwill programs.
• Serves as the employment resource to GCPI program graduates.
• Helps Job seekers complete resumes, cover letters, and apply for jobs in their chosen area or vocation.
• Aligns resources to support job seekers with job interviews.
• Ensures proper documentation is obtained by job seekers for employment which includes but is not limited to: Driver's licenses, social security cards and other acceptable forms of identification.
• If needed, assist clients with obtaining necessary identification documents by submitting applications to the proper state and local authorities to obtain reissuance of identification documents.
• Network to build employer partnerships who are kind to the second chance community including re-entry, youth with prior homelessness, veterans, or other vulnerable communities.
• Advocate on behalf of the job seeker with employers.
• Hosts training workshops to support job seekers.
• Networks with employers to identify job opportunities, navigating serving a vulnerable population, and access to Goodwill Career Fairs.
• Maintain data for clients served and report that data to supervisor when requested. Reports will include but not be limited to weekly reports, monthly reports, and any other additional information as requested.
• Communicate with Program Recruiter and JCC Specialist about the status of the Job seekers concerning employment and what may be needed to ensure the client is employed and remains employed.
• Be able to review, discuss, explain, and adjust the client's employment goals as needed.
• Refer all qualified job seekers to other partner agencies for wrap around support services.
• Maintain accurate records and data for all clients served
• Report data to supervisor in a timely manner to include weekly, monthly, and as needed reporting.
• Attend meetings as requested and be able to provide a detailed, up to date report out of the job seekers current progress towards their employment goals.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Attend both Goodwill and community career fairs to work on behalf of job seekers.
• Maintain consistent contact with caseload to ensure employment success.
• Attend organizational meetings and be prepared to discuss outcomes.

• Review and be familiar with Goodwill of Central Oklahoma safety policies, programs and procedures and adhere to all safety rules, regulations, and safety codes. Attend safety training and meetings and report any unsafe work conditions, accidents, or injuries immediately.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform other duties and projects as required by management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION:

• Associates required; Bachelor's degree Preferred.
• This position requires someone to be able to work with all populations of people with barriers in their background that could present a challenge to housing and employment.
• 2 years' experience in working with MS Office 2013 & 2016.
• Be able to multi-task to best serve the clients and help meet their needs.
• Experience in job development for individuals with multiple barriers to employment.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with other team members.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Google Apps, and Outlook as well as able to navigate the internet with ease.

• Clean driving record.
• Must have valid driver's license and current insurance.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:

• Live the Values
• Results Driven
• Customer Focus
• Communication
• Job Skills Knowledge

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must be able to maintain a positive, friendly attitude and a neat, clean, and well-groomed appearance.
• Must be familiar with the local community support and training services.
• Must be effective at communicating vocational counseling and helping others shift behaviors toward gaining employment.
• Must provide support services by working with disabled/disadvantaged persons and assisting in the rehabilitation process of Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma.
• Ability to complete and maintain:
  • CPR and First Aid certifications
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• This work is sedentary and requires the following physical activities: Sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending, squatting, kneeling, stooping; good finger dexterity and feeling; frequent repetitive motions; talking, hearing, and visual acuity.
• The ability to lift 35 pounds, or more, with assistance.
• Employee is required to operate a computer.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Works in a climate controlled, office environment most of the time.
• Low noise level.
• Works 40 hours per week or more when required.
• Fast paced environment with hectic and frequent short deadlines and regular instances of critical or unusual situations.

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this position. These statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.