Placement Specialist

Title:          Placement Specialist

Program:   Next Step

Next Step is Project Renewal’s workforce development program offering support and guidance to individuals who have barriers to employment.  Next Step consists of various training programs and placement services which includes the Employment Training Program, a Culinary Arts Training Program (CATP), Fast Track Food Service (FTFS) and the Assisted Competitive Employment (ACE) program, which supports individuals with serious mental illness who seek meaningful and competitive employment. The Placement Specialist is primarily responsible for job development and placement of clients in the ACE program and will offer support to both CATP and FTFS clients.

Next Step provides end-to-end employment services including one-on-one specialized vocational training, job placement, job retention support, and vocational counseling. Vocational training includes skills/capability assessment and training in basic life skills, resume preparation, interview preparation, job readiness, benefits advisement, and money management. The Next Step Employment Training Program also includes basic computer classes, job readiness workshops, placement, and job retention services.

Specific duties include (but are not limited to):

·       Preparing clients for employment and placing them into jobs that result in achieving job placement and retention milestone goals for ACE, FTFS and CATP programs

·       Establishing a network of employers who will provide job opportunities that are aligned with the skills and interests of ACE, FTFS, CATP clients, and other training programs.

·       Managing a caseload of clients

·       Following up on job placements to monitor job retention and satisfaction of employers/clients

·       Maintaining timely, accurate and detailed case record for each client and employer in the Salesforce database system, including job search and follow-up activity

·       Meeting job placement goals

·       Developing employer partners in specific sectors to support training and placement initiatives

·       Developing job orders specifically aligned with the skills and interests of clients

·       Meeting with clients individually to develop a customized job search plan

·       Preparing clients for specific job interviews by means of activities such as mock interviews, and ensuring that clients have all necessary applications, resumes, documentation and job search paperwork

·       Representing Project Renewal at job fairs and other public forums

·       Coordinating recruitment and hiring events with employer network

·       Tracking and following up on job interviews, internships, and job placements

·       Verifying employment and monitoring employer and client relationship

·       Providing post-employment services to employed clients

·       Facilitate and participate in job readiness workshops and groups for clients

·       Providing support services to Next Step staff and programming as needed

·       Perform other duties as assigned 

Qualifications:

·       Bachelor’s Degree in human resources, social work, business, or marketing preferred.  Other degrees will be considered.

·       One to three years of previous experience in job development, vocational counseling, and working with individuals with serious mental illness or similar population is essential.

·       Ability to effectively develop job opportunities for low-skilled job seekers required. 

·       Excellent communication skills and strong interpersonal skills

·       Strong attention to detail

·       Ability to produce clear and accurate case notes 

·       Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office

·       Work in the office at least three days a week

·       Ability to work independently to effectively provide services remotely as needed

Apply: All interested parties should send a resume and cover letter via email to careers@projectrenewal.org with Placement Specialist in the subject line.