Central City Concern (CCC) is an innovative nonprofit agency providing comprehensive services to single adults and families impacted by homelessness, poverty, and addictions in the Portland metro area. We hire skilled and passionate people to meet our mission to end homelessness through innovative outcome-based strategies that support personal and community transformation.

The Employment Specialist is responsible for all areas of employment including career exploration, employment preparation, assistance with finding employment and job retention. This position will work closely with other service providers to coordinate services and ensure ongoing support for individuals to maintain long term success.

TITLE: Employment Specialist – JOIN

HOURS: Monday - Friday 8.00am-4.30pm

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Meet contractual goals for clients served, trainings and meetings as well as manage budgeted contract dollars.
• Actively participate in outreach and provide assistance and direction to clients in identifying SNAP eligibility as well as how to obtain forms of identification for employment. Work with clients to complete Career Maps and provide client assessment to determine skills and abilities.
• Develop employment/training plans, identifying both short-and long-term goals and steps to achieve goals. Actively monitor client progress and counsel clients in developing career goals.
• Provide ongoing individual support and encouragement to clients.
• Match job seeking clients and employers using a variety of professional job placement skills.
• Assist clients with requirements of applying and interviewing for jobs to include building cover letters and resumes as well as assisting with practice interviews.
• Provide retention services including on site job coaching.
• Collaborate with community resource agencies by making referrals and providing intervention to remove barriers to employment including housing, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, and emergency services.
• Work with internal service providers to assure coordinated and streamlined services.
• Synthesize information from diverse sources and act on information appropriately for each participant and program.
• Participate in compliance, quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Provide touch points with clients up to 12 months to provide support of possible advancements, new opportunities or re-employment if needed.
• Manage data inputs and maintain accurate records of client progress in multiple data bases. These include case management and employment databases as well as register with Release of Information and agreements with accuracy.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy and security regulations applicable to the program, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security.
• Attend appropriate community professional meetings.
• Attend and take all trainings as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to develop and carry out individualized employment, training and retention plans.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Strong time management, follow through and organization skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to successfully interact and communicate clearly with a wide variety of people including clients, employers, partnering agencies and co-workers.
• Ability to be creative, innovative, and be a progressive problem solver.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues related to individuals with multiple barriers to employment.
• Ability to provide de-escalation tactics in a trauma informed way.
• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude and a willingness to learn new skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of and ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Experience facilitating training, groups, and workshops.
• Demonstrated expertise in assisting individuals to develop employment, training and supportive services plans and providing on-going support as they work to achieve goals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED and 1 year of work experience.
• Associates or Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience working with homeless and/or recovering chemically dependent individuals strongly preferred.
• The following programs are summaries of preferred experience:
• JOIN - Committed to preserving the dignity, humanity, and uniqueness of each person on their path back to social-economic stability. And to support the efforts of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to transition into permanent housing.
• Must embrace the mission and philosophy of recovery and client centered treatment.
• If a recovering chemically dependent person, a minimum of six months sobriety is required.
• Peer Support Specialist Certification preferred.
• Must be able to work weekends and/or evenings as necessary.
• Have necessary computer skills to accomplish duties.
• Knowledge of area employers, housing resources, training providers, human service agencies and community groups.
• If using a vehicle for agency use, must possess a current driver’s license, access to a vehicle, qualify as an Acceptable Driver as designated in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety policy. Must pass an initial driver training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training.
• Must be able to perform considerable inter-city travel.
• Will be required to carry an agency cell phone for work use. Cell phone will be provided by Central City Concern.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check.
• Work on this specific contract prohibits convictions of child or elderly abuse, offenses against persons, sexual offenses, or child neglect.
• Must adhere to agency’s non-discrimination policies.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliation, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles and sexual orientations and treat individuals with respect and dignity.

BENEFITS:

Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our employees!

• Generous paid time off plan beginning at 4 weeks per year at the time of hire. Accrual increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with an employer match of 4.25% in your 1styear, 6% in the 2nd year, and 8% in your 3rd year!
• 11 paid Holidays PLUS 2 Personal Holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion.
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer Paid Life, Short-Term Disability, AND Long-Term Disability Insurance!
• Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14, and 21.

This description is intended to provide a snapshot of the work performed. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required for the position.

Central City Concern is a second-chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding considering criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this particular job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)