Program Specialist - Southern Solidarity Opportunity Center

Background

The UNITE HERE Education and Support Fund (UHESF) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – exists to support workers in the hospitality industry. In 2023, The LIFT Fund’s Southern Workers Opportunity Fund provided a $300,000, 3-year grant to UHESF. The goal of the grant is to create and grow the Southern Solidarity Opportunity Center (SSOC) in New Orleans, LA. We are beginning the second year of this grant.

The work of the SSOC is divided into two phases:

Phase 1

• 50+ formerly incarcerated individuals will apply for identified job openings;
• Follow-up with employers so as to understand which individuals did and did not obtain employment;
• Survey individuals who have been hired regarding support and training needed to promote job retention.

Phase 2

• Develop curriculum for job readiness, life skills, and professional development;
• Develop curriculum for job-specific programs (e.g., culinary, bartending, server, and housekeeping).

Position Summary:

The Program Specialist reports to the Program Manager and provides comprehensive case management for formerly incarcerated individuals that are seeking a job in the hospitality industry, aligning with organizational policies/practices and participating employers’ expectations. They will (1) work with staff to provide case management for applicants, referred candidates, and placements; (2) implement member programming; (3) communicate with employers and service providers and (4) ensure the accuracy of individual caseload data for performance measurements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide clients with ongoing individual career counseling that leads to job placement in entry-level positions in the hospitality industry.
• Assist clients to identify and overcome barriers to job placement and retention.
• Maintain updated records on all employment placements and retention activities.
• Actively participate in team review meetings and assist in developing strategies for program improvement.
• Represent the SSOC at job fairs and other venues.
• Keep stakeholders updated on project progress.
• Support the completion of reports to funders and other external partners.
• Assist in Identifying and cultivate relationships with nonprofit organizations and public agencies involved in workforce development.

Qualifications

• Motivated, resourceful, and flexible individual with excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously and work independently to meet milestones.
• Quick learner, comfortable working individually and as a team member, in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with companies, nonprofit organizations, and public entities.
• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills; attention to detail required.
• Strong ability to balance persuasion with professionalism.
• Ability and willingness to travel and attend meetings as needed.
• Must be resourceful, resilient, and tenacious with a high level of personal integrity and passion for the SSOC’s mission.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Web-based conferencing technologies. Experience with Web-based project management tools is a plus, but not required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable automobile transportation.

UNITE HERE Education and Support Fund is an equal opportunity employer and gives equal consideration to all applicants without regard to sex, age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.