Employment Specialist - BCS NeON Probation Program

Position: NeON Works Employment Specialist

Program: NeON Probation Program

Reports to: Program Director

Locations: Brooklyn, New York

Hours: Full Time – 35 hours per week Monday – Friday 9-5

Salary Range: $40,000 - $43,000

Program Summary:

Brooklyn Community Services is one of Brooklyn’s first and largest non-sectarian social services agencies. Serving more than 20,000 individuals annually, BCS is committed to a broad and diverse range of services including prevention of foster care placement; crisis intervention; early childhood and after school education; and vocational training, job placement, and clinical services to adults with physical and developmental disabilities, and histories of mental illness.

The NeON Probation Program focuses on 16-24 year-olds who have active involvement within the Justice System. Neon Works provides an array of services designed to help participants reach a higher level of work readiness/employability and reduce the likelihood of participation in violent activity. Neon also offers career awareness services, connection to educational opportunities, assistance with job search competencies, and case management, however, NeON provides emphasis on education, training, and the ability to earn credentials in growing and/or stable occupational fields.

The Employment Specialist will focus primarily on providing individualized career support and job placement services to individuals within the NeON program, which targets populations with barriers to employment, by conducting needs assessments, developing personalized employment plans, connecting them with training opportunities, assisting with job searches, and providing ongoing support to ensure job retention; essentially acting as a dedicated career coach to help individuals achieve sustainable employment within their chosen field.

Responsibilities:

• Client intake and assessment: Conducting comprehensive interviews with potential clients to understand their employment goals, skills, barriers, and support needs.
• Career counseling: Providing guidance on career exploration, job search strategies, resume writing, interview preparation, and professional development.
• Job matching: Actively seeking suitable job openings in the market that align with client skills and interests, and connecting them with potential employers.
• Training and skill development: Identifying necessary training or certifications for clients to enhance their employability and referring them to appropriate programs.
• Employer outreach: Building relationships with local businesses to identify job opportunities and advocate for clients' placement
• Case management: Maintaining detailed client records, tracking progress toward employment goals, and documenting all interactions
• Support services coordination: Collaborating with other support agencies to address clients' needs related to housing, transportation, childcare, or mental health
• Job retention support: Providing ongoing check-ins with placed clients to address challenges and ensure successful job integration

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related area
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with diverse clients and employers
• Experience in career counseling, job development, or employment placement services
• Ability to work effectively across cultural/ethnic/racial communities
• Knowledge of local job market trends and available training programs
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve client goals
• Understanding of barriers faced by individuals with disabilities or other disadvantages
• Proficiency in computer applications for job search and client database management
• Bi-lingual Spanish preferred

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities