Lawrence Hall
Employment Specialist - CYEP
Lawrence Hall, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
WHO WE ARE:
Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicago's youth, families, and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years, Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective, evidence-based, and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs-Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness-have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by not only becoming more community based, but also by developing more preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicago's communities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Employment Specialist reports to the Lead Employment Specialist. Responsible for developing subsidized and competitive (unsubsidized) employment opportunities with prospective employers. Upon completion of the curriculum, Employment Specialist coordinates referrals to employment, provides follow-up and aftercare services. Effective use of verbal and written communications skills. Use of crisis intervention techniques (both verbal and physical). Use of physical intervention requires the ability to kneel and return to standing without assistance. Lawrence Hall fosters a culture built upon four core values: Respect, Empowerment, Safety, and Teamwork. These values are deeply embedded within our organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position. Employment Specialist must have the flexibility to adjust work schedule to the needs of the program.
RESPONSIBILITIES:Primary responsibilities include identifying, developing, and maintaining high level employer relationships with business owners, general managers, regional managers and human resources personnel for subsidized employment placements and competitive employment opportunitiesManage employer relationships to promote retention of youth and creation of new employment opportunitiesAssist participants with self-directed placement activities to secure competitive employmentAssist participants in securing employment opportunities in industries of interest or skill level and fields of high growthUtilize current resources and develop new resources for assisting participants in obtaining full and part-time, subsidized and competitive work experiencesRequires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatizationEngage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participantsKeep abreast of current and future job market trends, utilizing information for workforce development guidance, and to provide job placements in high demand areasEstablish a job bank specific to youth employment opportunitiesCultivate employment opportunities for program participants through research, networking, outreach and job placement developmentWork with the Lead Employment Specialist and the Development Department to create marketing material for employer recruitment. This may include written material as well as social mediaPrepare and communicate job requirements and employer interest to carefully match program participantsServes as the primary contact person to employers and maintains database of communications with current and potential employersDocument employer contacts and job placement outcomesMonitor youth performance and participationDeliver follow-up services to placed participantsParticipate in program evaluation as requiredProvide ongoing employment services including job searches, submission of applications and resumes, and coordinating interviewsCreate a quarterly job placement newsletterFacilitate access to on-line job searching, job bank and other technological assistance, as neededAttend all team meetings and in-service training as requiredUses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespectUnderstand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiencesMaintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environmentAttend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month periodAbility to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recoveryParticipate in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assignedMaintain a professional standard when representing the agency or youthEngage in continuing education and professional development in an effort to provide best practiceAssist in transportation of youth to interviews and work as neededOther duties as assignedQUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in a human services field (social work, psychology, counseling) or human resources and related experience preferred. Or High School Diploma/equivalent with 3 years of related job development experience. Strong sales abilityMust be highly organized, detail focused, have excellent time management and possess strong computer skills.Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferredKnowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength based approach preferredPersonal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insuranceValid Illinois Driver's licenseNo history of child abuse or neglectAbility to pass background and drug screenHighlighted benefits
Provides full time employees 2 times their salary in term life insurance for no additional costReimburses your gym memberships up to $20 per month to aid on your overall fitness and healthOffers 100% match up to 3% on your retirement savings after 1 year of serviceAll employees start off with an average of 17-25 days of PTOEmployee Referral Program gives employees an opportunity to receive up to $1500 for referring candidates9 paid holidays off
Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet all listed qualifications. We look forward to your application.
Position meets the FLSA requirement for
Exempt
Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicago's youth, families, and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years, Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective, evidence-based, and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs-Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness-have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by not only becoming more community based, but also by developing more preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicago's communities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Employment Specialist reports to the Lead Employment Specialist. Responsible for developing subsidized and competitive (unsubsidized) employment opportunities with prospective employers. Upon completion of the curriculum, Employment Specialist coordinates referrals to employment, provides follow-up and aftercare services. Effective use of verbal and written communications skills. Use of crisis intervention techniques (both verbal and physical). Use of physical intervention requires the ability to kneel and return to standing without assistance. Lawrence Hall fosters a culture built upon four core values: Respect, Empowerment, Safety, and Teamwork. These values are deeply embedded within our organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position. Employment Specialist must have the flexibility to adjust work schedule to the needs of the program.
RESPONSIBILITIES:Primary responsibilities include identifying, developing, and maintaining high level employer relationships with business owners, general managers, regional managers and human resources personnel for subsidized employment placements and competitive employment opportunitiesManage employer relationships to promote retention of youth and creation of new employment opportunitiesAssist participants with self-directed placement activities to secure competitive employmentAssist participants in securing employment opportunities in industries of interest or skill level and fields of high growthUtilize current resources and develop new resources for assisting participants in obtaining full and part-time, subsidized and competitive work experiencesRequires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatizationEngage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participantsKeep abreast of current and future job market trends, utilizing information for workforce development guidance, and to provide job placements in high demand areasEstablish a job bank specific to youth employment opportunitiesCultivate employment opportunities for program participants through research, networking, outreach and job placement developmentWork with the Lead Employment Specialist and the Development Department to create marketing material for employer recruitment. This may include written material as well as social mediaPrepare and communicate job requirements and employer interest to carefully match program participantsServes as the primary contact person to employers and maintains database of communications with current and potential employersDocument employer contacts and job placement outcomesMonitor youth performance and participationDeliver follow-up services to placed participantsParticipate in program evaluation as requiredProvide ongoing employment services including job searches, submission of applications and resumes, and coordinating interviewsCreate a quarterly job placement newsletterFacilitate access to on-line job searching, job bank and other technological assistance, as neededAttend all team meetings and in-service training as requiredUses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespectUnderstand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiencesMaintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environmentAttend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month periodAbility to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recoveryParticipate in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assignedMaintain a professional standard when representing the agency or youthEngage in continuing education and professional development in an effort to provide best practiceAssist in transportation of youth to interviews and work as neededOther duties as assignedQUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in a human services field (social work, psychology, counseling) or human resources and related experience preferred. Or High School Diploma/equivalent with 3 years of related job development experience. Strong sales abilityMust be highly organized, detail focused, have excellent time management and possess strong computer skills.Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferredKnowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength based approach preferredPersonal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insuranceValid Illinois Driver's licenseNo history of child abuse or neglectAbility to pass background and drug screenHighlighted benefits
Provides full time employees 2 times their salary in term life insurance for no additional costReimburses your gym memberships up to $20 per month to aid on your overall fitness and healthOffers 100% match up to 3% on your retirement savings after 1 year of serviceAll employees start off with an average of 17-25 days of PTOEmployee Referral Program gives employees an opportunity to receive up to $1500 for referring candidates9 paid holidays off
Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet all listed qualifications. We look forward to your application.
Position meets the FLSA requirement for
Exempt
Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V