Employment & Housing Specialist

Central City Concerns (CCC), Employment Access Center (EAC) has provided employment services and workforce development programs for low-income individuals since 1992, targeted to the highly challenged homeless population of downtown Portland, for close to 30 years. 

SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday 8.00 am - 4.30 pm (To provide culturally specific services to African-American clients twice a week at Imani Tues/Thursday).

SUMMARY: The Employment and Housing Specialist is responsible for all areas of employment, including career exploration, employment preparation, assistance with finding employment, and job retention. In addition, this role establishes and maintains an effective workflow with accessing and supporting clients in program housing in CCC and outside CCC. This position will work closely with other service providers to coordinate services and ensure ongoing support for individuals to maintain long-term success. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Meet contractual goals for clients served, training and meetings, and manage budgeted contract dollars.
• Actively participate in outreach and provide assistance and direction to clients in identifying SNAP eligibility and how to obtain forms of identification for employment. Work with clients to complete Career Maps and provide client assessments to determine skills and abilities.
• Develop employment/training plans, identifying both short-and long-term goals and steps to achieve goals. Actively monitor client progress and counsel clients in developing career goals.
• Provide ongoing individual support and encouragement to clients.
• Match job-seeking clients and employers using various professional job placement skills.
• Assist clients with the requirements of applying and interviewing for jobs, including building cover letters and resumes, as well as assisting with practice interviews.
• Provide retention services, including on-site job coaching.
• Collaborate with community resource agencies by making referrals and providing intervention to remove barriers to employment, including housing, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, and emergency services.
• Work with internal service providers to ensure coordinated and streamlined services.
• Synthesize information from diverse sources and act on information appropriately for each participant and program.
• Participate in compliance, quality assurance, and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Provide touch points with clients for up to 12 months to provide support for possible advancements, new opportunities or re-employment if needed.
• Pursue affordable housing options for clients both inside and outside CCC.
• Assist clients in completing all appropriate forms for obtaining housing and work collaboratively with other CCC housing staff.
• Work closely with a particular Program Housing Specialist for CCC and outside CCC
• Manage data inputs and maintain accurate records of client progress in multiple databases. These include case management and employment databases and register with accuracy with Release of Information and agreements.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy and security regulations applicable to the program and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security.
• Attend appropriate community professional meetings.
• Attend and take all training as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to develop and carry out individualized employment, training, and retention plans.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Strong time management, follow through, and organization skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to successfully interact and communicate clearly with clients, employers, partnering agencies, and co-workers.
• Ability to be creative, innovative, and a progressive problem solver.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues related to individuals with multiple barriers to employment.
• Ability to provide de-escalation tactics in a trauma-informed way.
• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude and a willingness to learn new skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of and ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Experience facilitating training, groups, and workshops.
• Demonstrated expertise in assisting individuals in developing employment, training, and supportive service plans and providing ongoing support as they work to achieve goals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High school diploma or GED and one year of experience in workforce development, social services, job placement, job coaching, employment and training, or related field; OR Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sociology, or related field.   
• Must embrace the mission and philosophy of recovery and client-centered treatment.
• Must be able to work weekends and/or evenings as necessary.
• Must have necessary computer skills to accomplish duties.
• Knowledge of area employers, housing resources, training providers, human service agencies, and community groups.
• Must be able to perform intra-city travel.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check.
  • This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check if working in FAN, Blackburn, or OTRC programs.
• Work on this specific contract prohibits convictions of child or elderly abuse, offenses against persons, sexual offenses, or child neglect.
• Ability to adhere to Central City Concern’s drug-free workplace, which encourages a safe, healthy, and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use a controlled substance or alcohol. 
• May be required to carry an agency cell phone for work use.  Central City Concern will provide a cell phone.
• Must adhere to the agency’s non-discrimination policies.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliations, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientations and treat individuals with respect and dignity.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Peer Support Specialist Certification
• Experience working with homeless and/or recovering chemically dependent individuals is strongly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license preferred. If required to drive, pass a DMV background check, and be designated an “acceptable” driver as outlined in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety Policy. If required to drive, pass an initial driver’s training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training.

Benefits at Central City Concern offered to our employees!

Central City Concern offers incredible benefits to our employees. We offer an extensive total rewards package to include base wages, medical, dental, vision, and voluntary plans. Central City Concern also takes employees’ financial wellness into consideration and provides a rich retirement match.

• Generous paid time off plan beginning at 4 weeks of PTO accrual per year!  Accrual amount/rate increases with longevity.  
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with an employer match of 4.25% in your 1st year, 6% in the 2nd year, and 8% in your 3rd year!
• 11 paid Holidays + 2 Personal Holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion. 
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage. 
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long-Term Disability Insurance! 
• Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14, and 21.

This description is intended to provide a snapshot of the work performed and is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required for the position.

As an agency deeply rooted in recovery, part of our policy and commitment to a drug and alcohol-free workplace includes post-offer, and pre-employment drug screens. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.   

CCC values and celebrates diversity in race, heritage, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, and disability. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we prioritize active inclusion of diverse staff.

Central City Concern is a second-chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding the consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this particular job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER