Career Development Specialist

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Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The purpose of this position is to manage overall delivery of NMW employment services to a designated case load by developing personalized and individual plans, ensuring and coordinating the development of employment opportunities, on-the-job training, and on-going support in employment settings. The Career Development Specialist will closely follow all policies and procedures to ensure all case management services meet Scope of Work.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

· Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university in social services or a related field; or three years working with individuals with employment related barriers, preferably in an employment setting, and/or combined experience and post-secondary education or coursework.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are needed. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Must be at least 18 years of age.

· Must have the ability to satisfy a background check and comply with the company's drug free workplace policy.

· Must be proficient working with databases and accuracy in data input, including entering data in multiple databases

· Must have experience in service coordination and/or case management

· Must have driver's license and insurance and have a clean driving record

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS: Include the following & other duties may be assigned.

Operational

· Facilitate appropriate job readiness and job placements for participants in the NMW Program that will enable them to leave Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) due to increase in family income.

· Review participant rights and responsibilities and other pertinent information with participants.

· Conduct skills and aptitudes assessments, including proficiency using mental health and functional screening tools, \with each participant referred to CWS through the NMW Program.

· Provide comprehensive case management to participants referred to the NMW Program. Case management includes weekly contact to to discuss supports available to the participant regarding life-coping skills; referrals to support services; referrals to appropriate activities after conducting assessments or screenings; advocating for the participant to be successful in their career development; advocating for participant to be successful in their application for alternative funding, e.g., SSA programs; and monitoring, evaluating and documenting participant progress in order to assist the participant to obtain the skills and support needed to become self-sufficient.

· Assist participant with appealing SSA determinations if denied application.

· Provide weekly monitoring of participant progress towards meeting his/her stated goals and objectives.

· Recommend that the Income Support Division (ISD) apply sanctions, and notify ISD of participant status changes.

· Initiate employment supports, as appropriate, in order to help participants obtain and retain employment.

· Use personal or company vehicle to safely conduct home visits as needed to engage participants.

· Provide transportation to participants as needed.

· Conduct community outreach to connect participants to available services and further develop community partnerships.

· Develop MOUs for Work Experience and Community Service sites; coordinate services for participants at these sites.

· Participating in inter-disciplinary team meetings to support successful participant outcomes.

· Meet or exceed performance expectations as required by our Scope of Work and contract rule requirements.

Positive Working Environment

· Respect and honor diversity (race, religion, marital status, age, sexual orientation, color, creed, national origin, and abilities.

· Maintain respectful relationships which recognize client's rights as a citizen and promotes their dignity, well-being, personal choice, and self-esteem.

· Treat all co-workers with respect and in a manner that will promote teamwork, productivity and positive working environment.

· Work collaboratively with others to accomplish goals and/or assigned tasks.

· Meet expected outcomes or let supervisor know of any needed direction, support or resources to ensure attainment of expected outcomes.

· Participate fully, positively and productively in team meetings to assist in achieving the desired outcomes of the meeting.

· Inform team members of import information that will assist in providing quality supports to the department including participant success stories.

· Follow dress code guidelines to provide an appropriate role model and to represent quality services.

· Act according to the guidelines of the company policies & procedures and the employee handbook. Maintain working knowledge of these documents by reviewing them at least once a year.

· Stays calm in challenging situations, maintains positive attitude, and serves as a role model for individuals served and employees.

Growth & Development

· Complete Basic Orientation and attend other in-service training as recommended; must have transportation for off-site trainings as needed

· Set and achieve performance and development goals as scheduled through the performance review process.

Safety

· Maintain awareness of activities through oversight, attendance at key meetings, and team/ staff meetings.

· Utilize defensive driving strategies to ensure safe travel to and from meetings, trainings, participant homes for re-engagement duties; become a Certified Driver if company vehicle use is needed.