Job Coach and Retention Specialist (Part-Time)

BOSTON RESIDENCY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT AND MUST BE MET UPON OFFER

TITLE: JOB COACH & RETENTION SPECIALIST

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: YOUTH OPTIONS UNLIMITED (YOU Boston)/OWD

GRADE: STATUS: EXEMPT

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Director of Youth Career Services, Youth Options Unlimited Boston, (YOU Boston)/Office of Workforce Development (OWD), provides skill development, private sector job placement opportunities and retention services to youth. Ensure the professional delivery of services to all designated youth, both in the community and in juvenile and adult detention facilities preparing for re-entry into the community. Provide preparation for and access to private sector employment and training opportunities for YOU Boston program participants based on existing relationships with employers. Develop and foster additional employer relationships and opportunities. Ensure that all youth have completed a professional portfolio and are prepared for entry into the private labor market.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The general duties and responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

- This position is paid 28 hours per week, Monday through Friday (30-minute unpaid breaks)

- This position is paid at $28 per hour

- Support with enrichment and delivery, as well as creative experiences for current and future client bases

- Facilitate enrichment activities and workshops for youth in Transitional Employment Services (TES) programming phases

- Track the retention of youth participants placed in the private sector working collaboratively with direct supervisors of placed individuals.

- Troubleshoot any issues which arise at the workplace.

- Using data available from OWD’s Planning Division, keep abreast of local labor market opportunities for this population to develop placement strategies with the larger YOU Boston team.

- Actively participate in the processing, supervision, and education of all YOU Boston young people involved in the continuum of services. This also includes clients referred through partner pipelines, or those being serviced and supported through pilot programs and collaborations with different local and city entities.

- Serve as a member of the larger service team for all youth; working collaboratively with all YOU Boston staff, partners and agencies to meet individual and agency goals and mandates.

- Must be able to productively communicate and establish rapport with all young people and members of the YOU Boston service team in a fast paced environment, working with young people that present multiple barriers to employment.

- Recruit large and small-sized, for profit, and not-for-profit employers willing to engage in a process to hire young adults.

- Support other initiatives as opportunities arise with the ultimate goal of increasing employer involvement in YOU Boston programming.

- Identify, prepare, and place a designated number of YOU Boston program participants per month in the private sector or in training opportunities as mandated.

- Plan and conduct pre-employment activities for program participants. Work with participants one-on-one, for further development of the individual’s professional portfolio and skills including resume development, phone and email communications, and interviewing skills.

- Develop relationships with local career centers, training providers and vocational programs to support placement efforts. Utilize current labor market information to develop leads with employers in growing industries. Serve as a member of the larger YOU Boston service team for each individual.

- In order to best transition youth from YOU Boston programming to private sector employment, a portion of the job developer position will be designated to provide assistance and support for any/all aspects of the transitional employment levels as deemed necessary.

- Lead or support various workshops and youth transition efforts within all levels of the YOU Boston employment program.

- Support YOU Boston's Career Services Specialist with any ongoing or developing initiatives on an as needed basis.

Specific Internship Program components are as follows:

- Assist with management of YOU Boston’s Internship Program and ongoing initiatives, under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Director of Career Services

- Complete screening interviews for interns to determine candidate suitability for program participation

- Build and maintain relationships with individuals, industries, organizations, government entities, colleges, and other community organizations with the primary goal of internship placement

- Monitor attendance, punctuality, and work performance through regular communication with interns and site supervisors

- Create and facilitate activities to increase internship completion and engagement

- Develop internship transition plans to ensure each intern has an academic or professional opportunity post-internship

- Develop and execute effective social media strategies to recruit employers and to communicate with youth.

- Adhere to all daily data input requirements and administrative tasks

- Assist with the overall management of the youth payroll system in collaboration with designated YOU Boston staff

- Perform other related duties as requested such as supporting developing or ongoing initiatives and programming

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ed Qualification preferred, Bachelor’s Degree in human resources, management, business, public relations, communications, or related field. Must have a minimum four (4) years of experience in employer engagement and job development with an established network of employment partners. Experience in sales, marketing and/or public relations is valued. Prior experience in the job placement/career placement/human resources field is also desirable. Must have knowledge of the Boston business, non-profit, and education communities. Requires strong project management, organizational, and presentation skills; as well as ability to communicate effectively in person as well as in writing. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well as part of a service team are needed. Must have a commitment to issues of social justice and equity. Must have the capacity to develop relationships and partnerships with private sector employers and non-profit organizations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Normal office environment. Facilitation of in-person workshops or engagement with youth is commonplace. Will report to YOU Boston and partner sites as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Little or no exertion; local travel.

SCOPE:

Regular supervision of youth employees, future opportunities to supervise FTE’s or contracted staff is possible.

BOSTON RESIDENCY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT AND MUST BE MET UPON OFFER

Job Types: Part-time, Contract

Pay: $28.00 per hour

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

- job coaching: 1 year (Preferred)

- career development: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

- Roxbury, MA 02119 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

- Roxbury, MA 02119: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person