Career Development Specialist

Responsibilities 

Reporting to the Program Director of UPWARDS Employment Services, the Career Development Specialist develops and sustains a portfolio of competitive job placements in business and the community and partners with mental health clients to assist them in obtaining competitive employment. 

• Develops and sustains internships and competitive job placements in business, industry, and the community and assesses clients for job fit.  Maintains on-going contact with employers. 

• Works with employers and organizations to customize jobs that meet the employers' needs and capitalize on the skills and talents of individual clients. 

• Works closely with employers to guarantee their satisfaction with the UPwards Employment Program. 

• Works closely with case managers and other Urban Pathways staff to recruit and enroll participants who meet eligibility requirements for the Program.  

• Works with clients to assess and develop employment plans that match clients’ interests, aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and previous work experience and career goals.  
• Ensures that clients participating in the Program meet basic standards of program compliance.  

• Provides ongoing support to clients. 

• Develops employment training curriculum, conducts workshops and work-related individual/group discussions. 
• Enters progress notes after each client meeting within 48 hours and/or as mandated by the Program. 
• Completes Intake/Admission documentation within 24 hours of client admission, as mandated by the Program.  
• Documents assessments in client records within required timeframe (not applicable for Outreach Program). 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree; MSW or MA in closely related field.  

• Minimum of 2 years’ of experience creating and sustaining relationships with employers in job development required. 
• Training experience preferred. 
• Experience with homeless, mentally-ill and substance abuse population preferred.  
• Experience with human services a plus. 

• Experience with developing and facilitating employment and psycho-educational groups. 
• Knowledge of relevant job markets and establishment of job contacts. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office (e.g. PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook etc.) 

• Foreign languages a plus.