Classification Description
TITLE: Employment Specialist
CLASS: Academic Professional
EXEMPT STATUS: Exempt
LEVEL: 3
NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK
The Employment Specialist is responsible for providing specialized employment services in support of an assigned program(s) whose ultimate goal is to provide training and support to clients of various backgrounds and skill levels. Incumbents in this classification are typically assigned to an area of specialization within a total employment services program. Specialization may include training clients in work force skills, job development, job referral, job placement, or employee retention. Incumbents have independent decision making authority and work with little or no supervision.
The Employment Specialist is distinguished from the Student Employment Specialist in that the Employment Specialist focuses on employment services for an identified program and has a client base who may not be enrolled in a PCC program. The Student Employment Specialist focuses on campus based employment services to PCC students.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES (Includes some or all of the following)
1. Plan and assess current work skills training needs. Develop curriculum and training materials. Facilitate life skills and job search skills classes. Evaluate results and initiate changes to curriculum as needed. Provide individual support and encouragement to clients.
2. Provide active case management services to an assigned client load. Provide client assessment, develop service plans, typically requiring the coordination of multiple community services. Monitor client progress. Counsel and guide clients in developing career and/or employment goals. Advocate for students as liaison with other college services.
3. Match job seeking clients and employers using a variety of professional job placement skills. May participate in the interview process. Facilitate completion of paperwork. Conduct work site visits to employers to insure successful client placement.
4. Provide retention services to ensure client success and employer satisfaction. Explore with the employer, client, and other community resources regarding available alternatives for addressing client barriers and focusing on job retention. Mediate or problem solve client/employer issues. Advocate for and negotiate client performance plans. Facilitate disability and cultural awareness training with employers and site employees.
5. Develop and foster professional relationships with employers, placement agencies, and temporary agencies to ensure consistent contact for job leads within the community.
6. Design and develop employment service marketing programs. Make presentations to businesses within the community to promote employment services program and develop new jobs for clients.
7. Maintain case files. Write detailed case notes. Track program/grant required statistics and summarize in report form.
8. Synthesize information from diverse services and act on information appropriately for each participant and grant.
9. May provide interpretation assistance for non-English speaking clients. May provide interpretation support when called upon by other college departments as work load and supervisor approval allow.
10. Perform related duties as assigned.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is typically performed in an office environment. Incumbents regularly drive to business sites which requires the use of a personal vehicle. Occasional evening and weekend hours is required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Physical exertion is not a normal requirement of this job.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Social Science, Communications, or related field. Experience performing the duties of this job may substitute for the degree requirement on a year for year basis.
Demonstrated experience working with college students, clients who have barriers in achieving self sufficiency, developmentally or physically disabled adults, or at-risk populations. Demonstrated experience within area of specialization of position applied for. Experience in case management in a social service or educational setting. Fluency in a second language may be required depending on position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of current labor market trends.
Knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity laws and other local, state, and federal laws pertaining to employment.
Knowledge of effective training techniques and adult learning theory.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal rules and regulations impacting assigned program.
Knowledge of community resources for appropriate referrals.
Skill in operating a computer and various supporting software packages.
Skill in effective group facilitation.
Skill at diffusing angry and sometimes hostile clients.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects or to change priorities quickly and frequently.
Ability to work with an ethnically and culturally diverse population.
Ability to apply problem solving techniques to complex employee issues.
Ability to operate a variety of office equipment.
Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written form.
Empspec.doc