Employment Specialist

Position Summary: The Employment Specialist provides employment readiness training coaching and support for disconnected youth ages 18-24 at the Next Generation Center. This position sources and obtains career internship and training opportunities for youth.

Essential Duties:

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Sourcing and obtaining appropriate employment, internship, and training opportunities for transition youth.
• Developing strong relationships with employer partners and facilitating activities with employers including site
• visits, recruiting events, career presentations, job shadowing, and other employment-related activities.
• Assisting youth with the preparation of job search documents such as resumes, references, and job applications (online or on paper).
• Providing ongoing post-placement support and trouble-shooting for youth after placement in internships/employment.
• Maintaining ongoing communication and positive relationships with employers/internship hosts, including troubleshooting.
• Facilitating employment readiness groups on topics including, but not limited to: career exploration, job search strategies, workplace skills, interviewing skills, goal setting, and career advancement.
• Coaching youth individually on job search, interviewing, employment retention, and career management skills.
• Collaborate with the youth’s Life Coach and other program staff in the interest of the youth’s development of employability skills.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule; within the hours of operation of the Next Generation Center.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• 2+ years of experience working in job development, and with difficult-to-engage adolescents.

Key Competencies:

• Proven experience in sourcing and building solid employer partnerships for employment opportunities for youth.
• Experience in training and coaching in the areas of youth development, education, and employment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong initiative, self-starter, and ability to build relationships with diverse organizations, customers, and stakeholders.
• Attention to detail; skilled in documenting, tracking, and providing progress reports in accordance to performance metrics and outcomes.
• Ability to manage and complete multiple tasks and projects in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner.
• Strong flexibility and adaptability skills.
• Capacity for creative problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Flexibility with work hours/schedule as needed for programming and youth needs.
• Computer Literacy and timely data entry (Microsoft, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to travel throughout NYC.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.