Job Details

Job Title: Employment Specialist (Heights Career Center)

Department: People Operations

Reports to: Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full Time

Address: 215 W 20th St, Houston, TX 7700

Mission Support:

Goodwill Houston (GWH) is leading change, connecting people, and improving the potential for the future of work. We educate, train, and hire individuals with barriers to employment to help them thrive. We connect people, families, and communities to improve lives and meet the workforce needs of today and tomorrow. Powered, in part, by donations and retail customers, we change lives through the power of work.

Position Summary:

Assists participants with career planning, and career decision-making processes, including intensive career counseling, assessment, enrollment into Career Pathways, job search assistance, and retention services. Responsible for the development of competitive and/or supported jobs for individuals who have barriers to employment. Must exercise good judgment and due diligence when performing duties and communicating on behalf of GWH.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for assuring that WFD is in compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Provides intensive, comprehensive employment case management and career planning services to participants enrolled in the program and Career Connections.
• Maintains a rolling caseload per program requirements.
• Review assessments of participants' employment and training needs, individualized employment plans, etc. to guide job training plans and potential co-enrollment into other GWH programs and makes referrals for occupation skill training as needed.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with partnering agencies and make appropriate referrals to those agencies that will assist participants with supportive services, which are designed to help mitigate barriers and enhance employability.
• Accompany clients to job-related search activities, events, and job interviews.
• Assist in orienting clients with the host employer's policies, standard operating procedures, and perform time and motion studies (or task analysis).
• Monitors and evaluates participant progress through an individualized employment plan, provide guidance and coaching to help resolve issues and remains motivated to obtain/maintain credentials and employment.
• Organizes weekly Job Club meetings and monthly Business Advisory Council (BAC) events with appropriate GWH Team Members and friends of GWH.
• Works with Career Connection Team Members to prepare job seekers for employment, including resume preparation, interviewing skills, and workplace etiquette.
• Conducts employment readiness workshops and provides one-on-one job coaching.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date data entry for billing purposes.
• Ensures that participants understand and conform to program policies and expectations.
• Place participants in industry-related employment, providing ongoing follow-ups for retention records.
• Support participants with maintaining employment, including providing resources for job sustainability.
• Maintain real-time data entry, electronic and hard copy confidential files, and input necessary information into CaseWorthy and Change Machine (data management systems), including progress reports, case notes, completion, and retention documentation.

• Track all job development activities, workshops, classes, internships, etc.
• Ensures data accuracy in databases for assessment, enrollments, and case-management services at 30, 60, 90, 180, 270, and 365-day follow-up, referrals, and Individual Development Plans (IDP).

• Travel to multiple locations as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by Management.

• Demonstrate professionalism, and good judgment and present a friendly, cooperative attitude.
• Ability to multi-task, make quick decisions, adapt to change, and work in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
• Adheres to all GWH Policies & Procedures, Loss Prevention & Safety Regulations and GWH Guiding Principles.
• Must be punctual and have dependable attendance and maintain an appropriate appearance.
• Must conduct work in a safe manner; maintain good housekeeping standards, have all aisles and pathways to fire exits clear and free from clutter, keep work areas neat and clean.
• Adheres to local, state and federal laws and regulations.

• Bachelor's Degree in Rehabilitation, Psychology, Sociology or a related field is preferred.
• One (1) to three (3) years in vocational counseling, job development and job development is preferred.
• Excellent computer skills (proficient in Microsoft Office).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Understands strategic planning, budgets, marketing and research.
• Ability to communicate and interact well with a variety of personality types.
• Ability to analyze opportunities and problems, identify and evaluate alternatives and develop effective approaches to address any issues.
• Must have reliable transportation.

1. Recruit and enroll 100 workforce members within the 12-month program period.
2. Place 60 workforce members in competitive employment within the 12-month program period.
3. Meet program and participant training and employment outcomes.
4. Capture four (4) new relationships with employers every month by utilizing Employer Profile.
5. Ensure data utilization and accuracy of 90% or higher by conducting regular audits of CaseWorthy reporting.

• Ability to sit, stand, bend and reach.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, up to, 25 lbs.