Central City Concern Hiring for Employment & Housing Specialist at Portland, OR  Full Time

SUMMARY: The Employment and Housing Specialist is responsible for all areas of employment including career exploration, employment preparation, assistance with finding employment, and job retention. In addition, this role is to establish and maintain an effective workflow with accessing and supporting clients in program housing in CCC and outside CCC. This position will work closely with other service providers to coordinate services and ensure ongoing support for individuals to maintain long-term success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Meet contractual goals for clients served, training, and meetings as well as manage budgeted contract dollars.
2. Actively participate in outreach and provide assistance and direction to clients in identifying SNAP eligibility as well as how to obtain forms of identification for employment. Work with clients to complete Career Maps and provide client assessments to determine skills and abilities.
3. Develop employment/training plans, identifying both short-and long-term goals and steps to achieve goals. Actively monitor client progress and counsel clients in developing career goals.
4. Provide ongoing individual support and encouragement to clients.
5. Match job-seeking clients and employers using a variety of professional job placement skills.
6. Assist clients with requirements of applying and interviewing for jobs including building cover letters and resumes as well as assisting with practice interviews.
7. Provide retention services including on-site job coaching.
8. Collaborate with community resource agencies by making referrals and providing interventions to remove barriers to employment including housing, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, and emergency services.
9. Work with internal service providers to ensure coordinated and streamlined services.
10. Synthesize information from diverse sources and act on information appropriately for each participant and program.
11. Participate in compliance, quality assurance, and quality improvement activities as directed.
12. Provide touch points with clients for up to 12 months to provide support for possible advancements, new opportunities or re-employment if needed.
13. Pursue affordable housing options for clients both inside and outside CCC.
14. Assist clients in completing all appropriate forms for obtaining housing and work collaboratively with other CCC housing staff.
15. Work closely with a particular Program Housing Specialist for CCC and outside CCC
16. Manage data inputs and maintain accurate records of client progress in multiple databases. These include case management and employment databases as well as register with Release of Information and agreements with accuracy.
17. Adhere to all state and federal privacy and security regulations applicable to the program and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security.
18. Attend appropriate community professional meetings.
19. Attend and take all training as assigned.
20. Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to develop and carry out individualized employment, training, and retention plans.
2. Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
3. Strong time management, follow-through, and organization skills in a fast-paced environment.
4. Ability to successfully interact and communicate clearly with a wide variety of people including clients, employers, partnering agencies, and co-workers.
5. Ability to be creative, innovative, and be a progressive problem solver.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of issues related to individuals with multiple barriers to employment.
7. Ability to provide de-escalation tactics in a trauma-informed way.
8. Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude and a willingness to learn new skills.
9. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
10. Knowledge of and ability to maintain professional boundaries.
11. Experience facilitating training, groups, and workshops.
12. Demonstrated expertise in assisting individuals to develop employment, training, and supportive services plans and providing on-going support as they work to achieve goals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High school diploma or GED and one year of experience in workforce development, social services, job placement, job coaching, employment and training, or related field; OR Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sociology, or related field.
2. Must embrace the mission and philosophy of recovery and client-centered treatment.
3. Must be able to work weekends and/or evenings as necessary.
4. Must have necessary computer skills to accomplish duties.
5. Knowledge of area employers, housing resources, training providers, human service agencies, and community groups.
6. Must be able to perform intra-city travel.
7. Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check.
   1. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check if working in FAN, Blackburn, or OTRC programs.
8. Work on this specific contract prohibits convictions of child or elderly abuse, offenses against persons, sexual offenses, or child neglect.
9. Ability to adhere to Central City Concern’s drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy, and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use a controlled substance or alcohol.
10. May be required to carry an agency cell phone for work use. Cell phones will be provided by Central City Concern.
11. Must adhere to the agency’s non-discrimination policies.
12. Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliations, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles and sexual orientations and treat individuals with respect and dignity.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Peer Support Specialist Certification
2. Experience working with homeless and/or recovering chemically dependent individuals is strongly preferred.
3. Valid driver’s license preferred. If required to drive, must pass a DMV background check, and be designated an “acceptable” driver as outlined in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety Policy. If required to drive, must pass an initial driver’s training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training.

Central City Concern is a second-chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this particular job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER