Position: Employment Specialist

Status: Part-time

Salary: $20.25/hr-$21 DOE 

Location: Redlands, CA

Benefits: Gas mileage reimbursement as per company policy. Simple IRA match as per company policy.

Job Summary:
Seeking a highly motivated, compassionate, and independent individual to help special populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, connect with meaningful employment opportunities. This role combines career planning, job readiness training, and direct participant support with employer outreach and job placement services. The Employment Specialist will develop Individualized Career Plans (ICP), and provide ongoing support to help participants achieve their short- and long-term employment goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Career Planning & Participant Support:

• Conduct comprehensive career assessments to identify participant strengths, interests, and goals.
• Develop and implement Individualized Career Plans (ICP) outlining measurable short-term, intermediate, and long-term employment objectives.
• Identify and address employment barriers by connecting participants with support services, including resume assistance, career coaching, and resource referrals.
• Connect with workforce readiness training, covering resume writing, interview preparation, job search strategies, career planning, and general business skills.
• Connect participants to apprenticeship programs, occupational training, and certification opportunities based on their career goals.
• Offer continuous support after job placement, maintaining regular contact for up to one year to promote job retention and career growth.

Employer Outreach & Partnership Development:

• Identify and collaborate with employers to create job opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with local businesses, service providers, and community organizations to expand job placement options.
• Promote participant skills to employers and match them to appropriate job openings.
• Maintain ongoing communication with employers to assess job satisfaction, gather feedback, and support job retention.

Event Coordination & Community Engagement:

• Organize and participate in hiring events, and community outreach efforts.
• Actively promote programs and services to increase participant enrollment.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to expand program reach and provide holistic support.

Data Tracking & Reporting:

• Track participant enrollment, participation, and employment outcomes.
• Collect and analyze labor market data to identify trends and inform job placement strategies.
• Prepare detailed reports on program performance, including employment statistics, participant progress, and placement outcomes.
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date documentation in accordance with organizational policies.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Self-motivated with a proactive, independent work ethic.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly compassionate and dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations.
• Well-organized with strong administrative skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and internet research.
• Experience using applicant tracking systems (ATS) is a plus.
• Reliable transportation for employer and community outreach (mileage reimbursed for approved travel).
• Ability to remain calm and empathetic when working with emotional or vulnerable participants.
• Capable of managing multiple tasks and prioritizing effectively.

Other Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, but relevant work experience in career counseling and outreach, job development, or related fields will be considered.
• Experience working with special populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, is a plus.
• Outgoing and extroverted personality with strong public speaking skills.
• A driver's license and a reliable car are required to fulfill this position.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

Physical/Emotional Demands:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position (desktop or laptop) approximately 70% of the time.
• Travel approximately 30% of the time for outreach, meetings, events, and job fairs (mileage reimbursed for approved travel).
• Must be able to remain calm and supportive when working with participants in emotional or challenging situations.

✅ This role offers a unique opportunity to make a direct and lasting impact by helping individuals overcome employment barriers, develop their skills, and achieve sustainable, long-term career success.