Employment Specialist

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, Portage County

Full-Time, 40 Hours/Week

$43,680/Year

SUMMARY: Assures that Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) participants receive services such as career exploration, career technical training, job placement, and supportive services, with the goal of empowering them to secure employment in high-demand occupations, paying wages consistent with the relevant market.

SUPERVISOR: Program Manager

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides program orientation to all interested veterans.

• Travels to community locations where homeless and at-risk veterans congregate to ensure effective local outreach.

• Conducts program screening with veteran households to assist in determining program eligibility to facilitate program placement.

• Creates Individual Employment Plan (IEP) with each eligible veteran, focusing on barriers to employment

• Works collaboratively with Department of Job and Family Services DVOPs to provide training and job opportunities to enrolled veterans

• Develops relationships with employers to develop employment opportunities for veterans

• Maintains confidential client files and records.

• Works closely with the team to ensure seamless service delivery from outreach to program participation.

• Works closely with the Grant & Per Diem and SSVF staff to identify veterans' employment barriers and the steps needed to overcome them.

• Actively participates in regular HVRP Team meetings for the purpose of program consistency, monitoring and effectiveness.

• Provides client-centered and trauma-informed crisis intervention as appropriate.

• Participate in community-wide events promoting services for veterans.

• Completes proper documentation and reporting procedures

• Complies with agency policies and procedures, COA regulations, federal and state requirements, and education/certification/registry requirements.

• Other duties as assigned.

The Duties and Responsibilities above represent the most significant duties of this position, but do not exclude other assignments that would be within the qualification and responsibility levels of this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• College coursework preferred with a preference for those pursuing a degree in social work or related field.

• Experience with the issues of homelessness, domestic violence, chemical dependency, mental health preferred. Experience working with veterans preferred.

• Demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Willingness to learn and apply best practice models as appropriate.

• Must be able to meet agency requirements for criminal background check (Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation)

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required

• Valid Ohio Driver’s License and ability to meet agency requirements for driving insurability and reliable transportation.

COMPLIANCE:

This position requires compliance with AFS’ written standards, including its Compliance Program and Standards of Conduct and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the regular performance evaluation.

Failure to comply with AFS’ Written Standards, which may include the failure to report any conduct or event that potentially violates legal or compliance requirements or AFS’ Written Standards or, for managers and supervisors, fails to detect non-compliant conduct where reasonable efforts would have resulted in detection, will be met by the enforcement of disciplinary action, up to and including possible termination, in accordance with AFS’ Compliance Program Policy and Procedure: Addressing Instances of Non-Compliance through Appropriate Disciplinary Actions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, and use hands to finger handle or feel; to talk; or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to frequently lift up to 25 pounds. The employee may occasionally be required to lift 25 to 50 pounds; however, this is not essential; duties may be shifted to accommodate lifting restrictions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less). The employee will occasionally be working near moving mechanical parts, be exposed to outdoor weather conditions and exposed to a risk of electrical shock while running the copier, printer, other standard equipment and answering the telephone. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate. Stress level can be high at times.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job.