Employment Specialist Requisition #: req14504 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Hours: Full-time (40 Hours/Week) At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care andconnection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we're united in our mission and these shared values: we're motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we're in it for the long haul. As an Employment Specialist, you will be primarily responsible for providing culturally and linguistically sensitive case management services to clients to prepare them for acquiring the skills they need for seeking, obtaining, and sustaining gainful employment. This individual is also responsible for seeking employment opportunities for clients by filling out applications, attending interviews with clients, and coordinating the logistics that allow clients to obtain employment opportunities. This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements. ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Administer accurate and timely client intake and assessment to assist with the completion of the Employment Services Plan;
- Provide comprehensive case management to clients to encourage, motivate, and address barriers to employment opportunities, while also building relationships with community stakeholders;
- Effectively collaborate with the Program's grant constituents, volunteers, and interns who assist in employment activities with the client;
- Effectively communicate job opportunities, utilizing the client's own network of connections as well as their own;
- Effectively work with clients to follow-up on any possible employment leads;
- Respond immediately to all job leads communicated by the job developer;
- Partner with the job developer to address issues of on-going retention, while also communicating with the employer and update the job developer on all progress;
- Participate in team meetings;
- If applicable to program, ensure appropriate preparation at job development meetings by providing a list of clients who are immediately ready to interview for jobs;
- Maintain client case files including eligibility, intake, assessment, progress and program required information;
- Contact each client as required, while maintaining a documented log of contacts;
- Prepare client case files for review;
- Collect, record and report information as required to supervisor and colleagues in a timely manner;
- Proactively work to eliminate barriers to service accessibility by providing assistance in locating resources for childcare, transportation, interpreter, specific assistance fund and home management;
- May interpret and translate (or access translator) for interviews with employers, initial job training or retention needs, or meetings at community agencies, as needed;
- In some programs, may coordinate and communicate with DHHS Specialist regarding changed information and to ensure client's;
- Collect, translate, and distribute information regarding employment, language, medical, legal, social services, housing, and other support services available in the local County and surrounding communities;
- Complete other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Social Work, or equivalent field of study from an accredited college (strongly preferred in some programs);
- Prior work experience in community development, business and/or a child welfare agency in a social work capacity;
- Bi-lingual language speaking required for some programs;
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and effective partnerships across varied populations;
- Must possess the ability to engage, and communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals;
- Must possess excellent observation, and organizational skills;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Demonstrated cross-cultural sensitivity;
- Highly motivated and able to work independently;
- Work well under pressure and adaptable to change;
- Able to collect and analyze date and information accurately;
- Must have an ability to work flexible work hours to include some evenings and weekends;
- Computer skillssufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of MicrosoftOffice suite;
- Must be 21 years old with a valid driver'slicense with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate avehicle on behalf of Bethany. Must also pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR)check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurancecoverage;
- Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
- Subscription to andintegration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment.
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