Employment Specialist I - WAC

Employment Specialist I – Workforce Access Center About Young Community Developers Established in 1973, YCD is a nonprofit organization who serves residents of all ages living in the most historically underserved communities of San Francisco. YCD takes a holistic approach via a delivery eco-system of services designed to empower residents in achieving economic mobility, in turn building and sustaining a positive community by providing them with education opportunities, workforce development training, and social services. YCD’s philosophy is that every individual should have the right to sustainable and generational economic mobility, aiming to break the cycle of poverty. Each year YCD provides around 1,200 community members with employment and training services through their programs and partnerships. YCD is also proud to share that they have been voted by NonProfit Times as one of the top 50 best non-profits to work for in the United States! POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Program Director - WAC, the Employment Specialist I is an entry-level member of the WAC team who delivers direct employment services to participants under the regular guidance of the Program Director – WAC and Lead Employment Specialist IV. This role manages a caseload primarily composed of RRL and Restorative clients (60-100 annually), supports workshop facilitation, and develops foundational expertise in YCD's full workforce service model. The ES I is a mission-driven self-starter eager to grow within the workforce development field and committed to serving San Francisco's most underserved residents across various career pathways. RESPONSIBILITIES: Direct Service & Case Management Manage a caseload of 60-100 clients annually, primarily RRL and Restorative clients, under regular direction from the Program Director - WAC Conduct participant intake and basic assessments, and assist in developing individualized employment plans Provide job search assistance, resume support, and interview preparation coaching Connect participants to referrals, supportive services, and career pathway resources in multiple career pathways Document participant progress and maintain case records accurately and in a timely manner Provide follow-up contact and retention support as directed Workshop Support & Facilitation Co-facilitate job readiness workshops under the direction of senior Employment Specialists and the Program Director - WAC Assist with participant outreach, enrollment, and follow-up communications Collect and submit workshop surveys and attendance records Employer & Community Engagement Support employer engagement activities, job fairs, and community events Assist in maintaining relationships with training providers and community partners Develop foundational awareness of labor market trends in Healthcare, Construction, and Security Data, Systems & Compliance Actively learn and consistently use all required data entry systems including Workforce Central (WFC), Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and AI tools (Co-Pilot, Claude, ChatGPT, etc.) Maintain timely and accurate case records in compliance with OEWD and YCD requirements Participate in all required training, team meetings, and compliance activities Demonstrate ongoing commitment to learning and professional development WHAT YOU WILL BRING A successful candidate will possess: Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred; 0-2 years of equivalent experience considered Experience in workforce development, employment coaching, social services, case management, recruiting, or community-based services preferred Basic awareness of multiple industry career pathways; strong willingness to build knowledge required Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite; willingness to learn Salesforce, Workforce Central (WFC), and AI productivity tools required Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build trust with underserved community members Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing deadlines Commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive service delivery Bilingual/bicultural capacity (Spanish or other threshold languages) preferred Strong commitment to the mission of Young Community Developers Inc. and to individuals from diverse populations Embraces cultural differences and is willing to foster diversity, equity and inclusion Self-motivated individual who has a passion to ensure that program goals, objectives, and tasks are completed in a timely fashion and exceeds standards An efficient multi-tasker who demonstrates effective time management and the capacity to meet competing deadlines Must have proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills LOCATION: San Francisco, CA JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Exempt SUPERVISORY: No COMPENSATION: $70,304-$72,384 Annually Final offer amounts are based on multiple factors such as the specific role, hiring location, as well as the individual's skills, experience and qualifications. BENEFITS PACKAGE We recognize there are many factors that influence your overall satisfaction both at work and in your personal life. Under our Total Rewards Package, we provide an integrated mixture of compensation, benefits, company culture, and resources to our employees that help you reach a happier, more balanced life. Our work environment is built around collaboration and partnership, teamwork, community, diversity and inclusion. Some of these offerings include: Competitive compensation to reward you for your hard work every day. Generous zero to low-cost Medical, Dental, Vision premiums, and Life insurance Free life insurance and long-term disability insurance Employer-sponsored Health Spending Account with eligible plans 2 weeks of vacation accrued annually for the first 2 years of employment Accrued paid sick time; 80 hours max 16 paid holidays annually (Presidential Election Day added every 4 years) Personal Birthday Holiday End-of-Year paid Respite Week Employee Assistance Program Mental Health & Wellness services for all employees 4% company 401K contribution match after one year of service and 21 Years of Age Professional development program to promote career advancement Discounts in retail, travel, and entertainment A fun, purposeful, and inclusive culture through in-office events, volunteerism, and community-based networking opportunities. Young Community Developers is an “at-will” and Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender (including pregnancy and gender expression) identity, color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.