POSITION: Youth Employment Specialist
REPORTS TO: Director of Programs (onsite)
LOCATION: 123 William Street 5th Floor, New York, NY 10038
POSITION TYPE: Full-time, Exempt, Union
WORK SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm (on-site)
SALARY: $58,000 - $63,000 based on experience & qualifications
BENEFITS:
ICD offers a comprehensive benefits package including health and dental insurance, 401k, and generous paid time off, among others. As this is a union position, health and dental insurance is paid for in full by the organization subject to certain eligibility requirements.
ORGANIZATION:
The Institute for Career Development (ICD) is a long-established, highly regarded nonprofit workforce development organization based in New York City. ICD helps youth and adults with disabilities transform their lives through no-cost career assessment, coaching, training, and placement services. Our vision is a world where all people feel welcome, included, and valued in the workplace.
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Youth Employment Specialist will have a passion for diversity and inclusion in hiring, specifically for youth with disabilities. This role will provide targeted coaching and support to primarily youth participants but also some adults, preparing them for success in obtaining and retaining jobs in their chosen field. In collaboration with the Workforce Readiness Manager, the Youth Employment Specialist is responsible for helping to source, develop, and manage new employer accounts within specific job markets for the purpose of developing employment opportunities for program participants. The Youth Employment Specialist will prepare youth with disabilities for the workforce from resume writing to interview preparation, application processing, matching participants to opportunities, and following their progress on the job after employment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Work Readiness and Coaching
Develop and implement a strategic work experience plan for each youth participant in accordance with their interests, skills, and abilities.
Facilitate Work Readiness sessions as needed.
Engage program participants by making them aware of internship and job opportunities and prepare participants by teaching basic job search skills, including resume development, use of online resources, networking, and interviewing techniques.
Determine matches between goals, job search methodologies, and mutual expectations of employer and program participant; engage with participant and employer to ensure goals meet expectations.
Other activities may include, but are not limited to job orientation, job destination/transportation training, resume writing, interviewing skills (in-person and virtual), job clubs, job coaching, teaching basic job tasks, supervision at the worksite, supervisor consultation, assistance in integrating into the work environment, assistance with addressing interpersonal concerns with co-workers and supervisors, and assistance adjusting to changes in the work environment.
Employer Development and Placements
Maintain relationships with employers to generate appropriate internship opportunities and employment for ICD participants, specifically youth with disabilities.
Develop internship sites and jobs by means of, but not limited to, phone solicitation and direct visits, networking with businesses, trade associations and other groups, attending career fairs, and actively engaging internship sites for potential employment openings.
Conduct ongoing outreach to employers to assess the status of ICD participant internship and job placements, determining the need for any retention services and soliciting relevant feedback.
In the internship and job placement phases, conduct ongoing check-ins with job seekers and screen participants for job vacancies, refer appropriate candidates, and arrange for and follow up on interview results.
Performance and Administrative Responsibilities
Meet monthly job placement targets and expected outcomes in terms of employer development and retention and adhere to required standards for documentation.
Perform weekly follow-ups with individuals actively engaged in the job searching phase of the program.
Maintain records on a daily and weekly basis to ensure timely submission of monthly reports to government funding agencies.
Update engagement status of participants in database as they begin and complete services.
Maintain up-to-date contact list for active employers and internship sites as well as job development leads.
Respond promptly and professionally to internal and external stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including use of Word and Excel.
Familiarity with video conferencing for remote interviews and virtual consultations with participants.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
BA/BS required in a related field.
Minimum of 3 years in workforce development with a focus on training and employment for youth with disabilities strongly preferred.
A background in recruitment, sales and/or business development in specific industries (technology, human services, and facilities management) with demonstrated ability to meet targets on a regular basis would also be considered.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Travel within the metropolitan area is required on a regular basis (minimum 25%) for face-to- face meetings with potential and current employers.
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to measure and assess staff training needs.
Ability to use independent judgment and initiative.
Strong verbal and written communications skills
Strong computer skills, including database management.
Strong interpersonal skills for working with current and prospective employers and internship partners.
Ability to apply and encourage innovative thinking while embracing efficiency.
Must be comfortable working with and presenting information to a diverse population of people with a wide range of disabilities.
Bilingual English/Spanish or ASL a plus
Familiar with Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), including the implementation of ACCES-VR contracts a plus.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of ICD to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. ICD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Saundra Smith - ssmith@icdnyc.org.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job either with or without a reasonable accommodation:
Occasionally navigate inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
Express or exchange ideas and information and provide instructions to others.
Remain stationary for periods of time on occasion.
Prepare and analyze data and figures.
Determine the accuracy and thoroughness of work assigned.
Operate general office equipment such as a computer, copy machine, computer printer, etc.
The Institute for Career Development is an advocate for diversity in the workplace. All candidates will benefit from equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to: race; color; age; religion; pregnancy; sex; sexual orientation; disability; gender identity; gender expression; national origin; genetic information; Veteran status; marital status; or prior protected activity.
ICD complies with all applicable federal, state, and city employment laws.
Please email resume and cover letter to ssmith@icdnyc.org with the subject of “Youth Employment Specialist” and where you found the position listed.