Employment Specialist

Program: Philadelphia Rapid Rehousing | 4910 Wyalusing Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131 

What You'll Do:

The Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Employment Specialist reports to the RRH Program Director.  The Specialist supports the housing stability of housing participants who are either homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.  He/she is responsible for assessing program participants’ interests, employment history, aptitude, and abilities in order to develop appropriate employment plans.  The Specialist provides vocational and educational counseling and referrals to job readiness, training, and placement programs, which lead to either full-time or part-time unsubsidized employment.

Your responsibilities will Include:

• Working in conjunction with the case management team, the Employment Specialist provides a screening and assessment of participants’ educational and employment history as well as abilities, interests, and aptitudes.
• Facilitates education and employment readiness workshops, including, but not limited to, resume writing, preparing for the world of work, job interviewing skills, and securing childcare. 
• Provides educational and vocational counseling for participants, both individually and in groups.
• Refers participants to and acts as the point person for his/her participants in employment/vocational programs, facilitating job placements. 
• Participates in weekly team meetings and case conferences for his/her participants, weekly individual supervisory sessions, and attends community meetings as indicated. 
• Serves as a liaison with various employment/vocational and educational training programs and government offices.
• Maintains a network of government and training/placement resources/contacts.
• Maintains a listing of all program participants participating in employment readiness and placement programs including a listing of all participants who are employed and/or are in training/educational programs through self-referral.
• Prepares statistical and other indicated reports monthly or as needed.
• Documents all efforts with or on behalf of participants in HMIS.

• Assist with the coordination of on-site employer hiring events.
• Assists participants in filling out employment applications and set up interviews with potential employers, accompanies participants to interviews if needed.
• Follow up with employers regarding the status of job placements
• Develop and implement strategies for worksite development, skills training, recruitment, referral and coordination of employment and training components for participants
• Other duties as assigned

You're a great fit for this role if you have: 

• Bachelor’s Degree required.  A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field is preferred.
• Knowledge of the challenges faced by the homeless veteran population and the supportive services available to successfully achieve the goal of permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
• Prior experience in vocational training, employment search and placement, case management, assessment, counseling, and crisis intervention preferred.
• Computer literate, specifically with Microsoft applications required.
• Knowledge and understanding of team concepts preferred.
• Valid US driver’s license preferred.