Position Summary

The Employment Specialist/Job Developer serves as a key role in delivering directemployment services to people experiencing homelessness. Utilize the LAHSA approvedEmployment Assessment Tool, create an Individualized Employment Action Plan (EAP) toprepare homeless jobseekers for specific available positions with expedited training, jobreadiness, and job applications. This position’s focus is on employment and incomeresource connections and designed to support housing Case Manager’s work in achievinghousing and economic stability.

Essential Job Functions

• Work one-on-one with the participant to assess interests, barriers, and strengths usingthe Employment Assessment Tool, provide career counseling, facilitate Job ReadinessTrainings, and develop an individualized employment plan according to the participant’sinterests, skills, and capabilities.

• Connect participants with sustainable job opportunities and placements, vocationaltraining, job retention support, job development (liaising with employers as appropriate),with focus on employment and income resource connections.

• Continually reassess the client and provide additional support or re-placement as newbarriers emerge.

• Participate on the in-house meetings, support housing Case Manager’s work in achievinghousing and economic stability, communicate Job opportunities, training opportunities, andhiring events data.

• Participate in (biweekly / monthly) regular cluster meeting and case conferencingmeetings, and other meetings as required.

• Maintain relationships with employers, local job resources, vocational training schools, toensure effective employment linkage services and access to resources.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of and deep understanding of the three major systemsserving jobseekers experiencing homelessness – homeless services, public social services,and workforce development, including the Coordinated Entry System (CES), as well as bestpractices in homeless services, and regional resources.

• Prepare periodic reports to track progress of strategic goals and evaluate workperformed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge and experience in community and economic development, working in thesocial services field and/or job development industry, and have experience in complexpolitical environments and in negotiating with education, business, civic and other keystakeholders at local and regional level.

• Knowledge of complex, public systems of care for homeless populations, includingmainstream resources.

• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people andorganizations.

Training & Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience. Successful candidate will have demonstratedexperience in community and economic development, working in the social services fieldand/or job development industry.

• Bachelors’ degree (Preferred) or an equivalent combination of applicable training andexperience is required.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the dynamic ability to build relationships with diversestakeholders.

• Must be able to exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion, andsolid decision making.

• Must be able to utilize creative strategies to engage stakeholders and maintain effectiveworking relationship with key stakeholders.

• Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, adjust tochanging; circumstances, and demonstrate confidence working with diverse stakeholders

Other Requirements

● Minimum of two years experience working with a low-income, culturally diverse population. 

● COVID vaccination required 

● Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including: Outlook, Word, Excel,PowerPoint; familiar with Database functions and reporting.

● Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer 

● Ability to walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis 

● Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead ● Occasionally lift and/or move, push and pull up to 25 pounds 

● Hold a California Driver’s license, with required insurance and a reliable vehicle.● Bilingual (Spanish), preferred

● HMIS (homeless database)