Employment Specialist

$27.47 - $30.22 / hour Position Summary The Employment Specialist provides employment readiness training coaching and support for disconnected youth ages 18-24 at the Next Generation Center. This position sources and obtains career internship and training opportunities for youth. The incumbent will understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with the functions of the position. Children’s Aid Mission To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children’s Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children’s Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children’s health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development. Culture and Values We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do. We seek equity and transformation in our communities : We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families. We strive for excellence : We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement. We are powered by collaboration : Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve. We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Sourcing and obtaining appropriate employment, internship, and training opportunities for transition youth. Developing strong relationships with employer partners and facilitating activities with employers including site visits, recruiting events, career presentations, job shadowing, and other employment-related activities. Assisting youth with the preparation of job search documents such as resumes, references, and job applications (online or on paper). Providing ongoing post-placement support and troubleshooting for youth after placement in internships/employment. Maintaining ongoing communication and positive relationships with employers’/internship hosts, including troubleshooting. Facilitating employment readiness groups on topics including, but not limited to career exploration, job search strategies, workplace skills, interviewing skills, goal setting, and career advancement. Coaching youth individually on job search, interviewing, employment retention, and career management skills. Collaborate with the youth’s Life Coach and other program staff in the interest of the youth’s development of employability skills. Ability to work a flexible work schedule; within the hours of operation of the Next Generation Center. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required. 2+ years of experience working in job development, and with difficult-to-engage adolescents. Key Competencies Proven experience in sourcing and building solid employer partnerships for employment opportunities for youth. Experience in training and coaching in the areas of youth development, education, and employment. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong initiative, self-starter, and ability to build relationships with diverse organizations, customers, and stakeholders. Attention to detail; skilled in documenting, tracking, and providing progress reports in accordance to performance metrics and outcomes. Ability to manage and complete multiple tasks and projects in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner. Strong flexibility and adaptability skills. Capacity for creative problem-solving and conflict resolution. Flexibility with work hours/schedule as needed for programming and youth needs. Computer Literacy and timely data entry (Microsoft, Excel, PowerPoint). Willingness to travel throughout NYC. It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy. The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.