The Employment Readiness Program Associate will facilitate client case management and program services; provide follow-up care as needed for clients completing the program, help maintain referral resources for clients; help maintain computerized and paper client files, and assist with outreach to employers and training programs as needed.
Service Activities
Employment Program Responsibilities
Schedule client appointments
Work with other agency staff and volunteers to assess client skills, needs and interests to develop individual employment plans.
Assist with referrals for necessary supportive services to address employment barriers.
Train clients on basic computer skills and internet use, including how to access and navigate job search sites.
Assist clients with resume and cover letter preparation, as needed.
Assist clients with on-line job applications, as needed.
Maintain employment and training/education referral resources.
Assist Job Developer with outreach to employers and training/education programs, as needed.
Assist Employment Training Specialist with client follow up after leaving or completing the program.
Assist Job Developer with client follow up after becoming employed or enrolling in a training program.
Maintain accurate client database records, including training/overseeing volunteer data input, in order to track client progress and report outcome and impact measures.
Career Passport Responsibilities
Conduct outreach activities to identify and encourage the enrollment of clients who could benefit from the intensive employment readiness services of Career Passport. Outreach activities may take place in the Shelter, Support Center, and possibly with collateral agencies such as Way Back Inn and HINES VA, etc.
Orient clients to the benefits of the Career Passport program, program protocol, and their responsibilities as clients.
Assist in facilitating the month-long, intensive phase of Career Passport.
Work with the clients in the group format and on the individual level as warranted to assist them in identifying their employment/career interests, their skills, and how to manage their unique employment challenges.
Other Duties:
Assist in the ongoing development of the program
Complete reports and gather statistical information as requested by supervisors
Maintain accurate and confidential files in accordance with Housing Forward policies.
Develop a cooperative working relationship with other agency staff.
Attend administrative staff meetings.
Enter billing information for applicable clients.
Enter client demographics and service information into HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) to assist in the preparation of aggregate data reports and statistics.
Community Need Addressed
Housing Forward’s Employment Readiness Program provides a wide variety of emergency assistance and support for individuals facing financial or housing crisis in west suburban Cook County. The Employment Readiness Program helps individuals address barriers to employment and locate, obtain and sustain employment leading to improved financial stability.
Position Outcomes
Housing Forward’s Employment Readiness Program provides a wide variety of emergency assistance and support for individuals facing financial or housing crisis in west suburban Cook County. The Employment Readiness Program helps individuals address barriers to employment and locate, obtain and sustain employment leading to improved financial stability.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Training
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem
Decisions
Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients