Employment Specialist

WHO IS CHI?

Community Housing Innovations (CHI) is a not-for-profit housing and human services organization that aims to support social and economic independence. Our vision is to end generational poverty and foster upward mobility by ensuring that all families and individuals live in quality housing, have a home of their own, and a job to support them. We believe quality, affordable housing is the foundation for prosperity, personal fulfillment, and success.

WHAT DOES CHI OFFER?

CHI employs a team of hard-working, compassionate people who want to give back to others in their community. We are proud to offer:

• Generous Paid time off
• Personal and Sick Days
• Health insurance and health reimbursement account 
• Dental and vision plans
• Flexible spending account
• AFLAC supplemental insurance
• Dependent Care Spending Account
• Commuter Transit and Parking Account
• Working Advantage- Employee Perks
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Monthly trainings and career development plans

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for the development of an employment network and fostering resources to facilitate job leads for program participants. This position supports the program's goals by providing placement assistance and job readiness training/assistance to participants and all referred clientele. 

Pay: $24.04 per hour

Location: Gowanus/Park Slope Brooklyn, NY

Work Schedule: Monday-Wednesday, Friday 9am-5pm Thursday 11am-7pm

JOB-RELATED DUTIES – ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts outreach to referral source(s) provided by contractor.
• Maintains and provides documentation of placement activity (i.e.: pay stub, employment verification, etc.).
• Completes progress notes for participants’ activities related to referrals, placements and relocation efforts.
• Conducts individual assessment and needs analysis for placement readiness of participants.
• Acts as a positive role model.
• Knowledgeable of and complies with all contractual requirements of the program.
• Coordinates with Supervisor to identify challenges and provide advocacy. 
• Develops and maintains weekly email network of job leads.
• Administers WOTC / WTW tax credits to potential employers.
• Contacts and maintains positive relationship with employers to identify job opportunities and listings.
• Provides job readiness training/assessment and assists program participants in the formulation of job search plans for placement into permanent, full-time employment.
• Provides follow-up services to participants and employers in an effort to maintain job retention.
• Documents all participant and employer contacts in CARES.
• Identifies qualified applicants and conducts screening interviews, administers tests, checks references, and evaluates applicants’ qualifications.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education/Experience:  Bachelor's degree or equivalency of education and work experience as a Placement Specialist/Job Developer.  Minimum of two years recruiting experience placing candidates in occupations/positions which are in heavy demand.  Experience marketing program participants to employers within the business community, as well as ability to establish and maintain a network of employer contacts ready to hire program participants into various positions.
• Computer skills:  Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Internet and other software as required.
• Communication:  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Ability to network within the community and outside the community via phone/fax/emails and in person. Proficiency in English required. Bi-lingual (Spanish) is a plus.
• Math Skills:  Must be excellent.
• Physical Performance:  Ability to attend off-site meetings with community businesses.
• Reasoning Ability:  Good negotiation skills.  Ability to make judgment calls, prioritize, multi-task.
• Other Skills:  Ability to work independently, establish rapport with program participants and business community, expertise at understanding client needs and matching clients with business contacts. Able to work independently using strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEOE)

Community Housing Innovations, Inc. (CHI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, compensation, training, assignments, benefits, employee activities, termination, access to facilities, and programs, and all other terms and conditions of employment as well as general treatment during employment.