Employment Specialist - CYEP

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 opportunities
• Manage employer relationships to promote retention of youth and creation of new employment opportunities
• Assist participants with self-directed placement activities to secure competitive employment
• Assist participants in securing employment opportunities in industries of interest or skill level and fields of high growth
• Utilize current resources and develop new resources for assisting participants in obtaining full and part-time, subsidized and competitive work experiences
• Requires 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-traumatization
• Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants
• Keep abreast of current and future job market trends, utilizing information for workforce development guidance, and to provide job placements in high demand areas
• Establish a job bank specific to youth employment opportunities
• Cultivate employment opportunities for program participants through research, networking, outreach and job placement development
• Work 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 media
• Prepare and communicate job requirements and employer interest to carefully match program participants
• Serves as the primary contact person to employers and maintains database of communications with current and potential employers
• Document employer contacts and job placement outcomes
• Monitor youth performance and participation
• Deliver follow-up services to placed participants
• Participate in program evaluation as required
• Provide ongoing employment services including job searches, submission of applications and resumes, and coordinating interviews
• Create a quarterly job placement newsletter
• Facilitate access to on-line job searching, job bank and other technological assistance, as needed
• Attend all team meetings and in-service training as required
• Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
• Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
• Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
• Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month period
• Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
• Participate in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned
• Maintain a professional standard when representing the agency or youth
• Engage in continuing education and professional development in an effort to provide best practice
• Assist in transportation of youth to interviews and work as needed
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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 ability
• Must 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 preferred
• Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength based approach preferred
• Personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance
• Valid Illinois Driver's license
• No history of child abuse or neglect
• Ability to pass background and drug screen

Highlighted Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO): All employees start with an average of 17-25 days of PTO, plus 9 paid holidays.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Fitness/Wellness Reimbursement: Gym membership reimbursement of up to $20 per month to promote overall health and wellness.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with a 100% match on contributions up to 3% after one year of service.
• Supplemental Insurance: Includes AD&D, critical illness, accident insurance, and short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Life Insurance: Full-time employees receive term life insurance coverage equal to twice their salary at no additional cost.
• Employee Referral Program: Earn up to $1,500 for referring successful candidates.
• Parking & Transit Commuter Benefits: Use pre-tax dollars to cover transit costs.

Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the necessary skills and abilities. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not have experience in all areas of essential functions. We look forward to your application.

Position meets the FLSA requirement for Exempt

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V