Career Development Specialist - SC/CIS Gardena

Mission Statement The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Position Summary Veteran Employment Services (VES) is a program in the Community Integration Services (CIS) Department. The Career Development Specialist (CDS) under the general direction of the VES Program Manager performs outreach, provides assessment and case management services to veterans seeking employment. S/he is responsible for connecting with and enrolling unemployed and underemployed veterans. The CDS is expected to meet or exceed employment placement and retention goals, which include, but not limited to, the following activities:

Essential Functions

• Enter data in all Program systems accurately and timely.
• Conduct outreach to connect with unemployed and underemployed veterans seeking employment - including homeless and other high barrier participants.
• Build and Maintain relationships with public and private sector partners and employers to exchange referrals.
• Submit monthly success stories to the Program Manager.
• Responsible to meet 20-enrollments and 17-placements Quarterly.
• Provide an analysis and presentation to the CIS Director of missing benchmarks.
• Conduct resume building presentation or refer to EDD resume building workshops for all enrolled veterans.
• Remote work is not mandatory, but based on performance and monthly benchmarks, Track all veterans enrolled with a timeline from enrollment to placements.
• Monitor community presentations, job fairs, stand downs, and workshops to determine the productivity of each event.
• Focus on the programs core goal: Placements.
• Strengthening job readiness skills through one-on-one and group sessions. Coach clients in job search, applications, resume writing, interviewing and follow-up skills.
• Provide follow-up and support to veterans after placement to ensure maintenance of employment.
• Motivate and encourage clients to work towards their goals and provide ongoing support.
• Partner with the client to develop an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) based upon one-on-one assessment.
• Orient & assess clients to collect demographic data, social history, employment and educational background.
• Assist a contracted number of clients to locate, secure and maintain employment.
• Regularly and accurately maintain client data and complete case management documentation about all activities, services, and outcomes achieved.
• Provide appropriate job leads and match job ready clients with job openings.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team consisting of housing specialists, mental health clinicians, and social workers to best support clients goals.
• Serve as recruiting specialist to employers to advocate for clients - use IEP and employer to provide best fit job matching.
• Participate in staff meetings and attend training as assigned.
• Complete all data entry and other reporting by assigned target dates.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Ability to walk, stand, bend squat, climb, kneel and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis.
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead.
• Ability to operate computer, fax and telephone.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 1 year of Homeless services.
• At least 2 years of experience in Job Placement.
• Driving Test and MVR check.
• A valid California Class C Driver License required to deliver supportive services and collect program documentation.
• Willingness to submit to extensive criminal background.
• 2-years of Microsoft Office experience (i.e., Word, Excel).
• Able to travel to Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles County.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Commitment to the holistic mission of The Salvation Army & CIS Department.
• Veteran status a plus.
• Ability to work well with others and commitment to excellence.
• Able to represent the Salvation Army to employers and community organizations.
• Familiarity with the process of vocational development planning.
• Strong diligence in documentation, data entry and in daily activities.
• Excellent computer and internet skills to maneuver the Salesforce system and internal Salvation Army documents (Google Doc.).
• Excellent communication skills.