Employment Specialist

ROOF ABOVE

Roof Above is NC’s most comprehensive homeless service provider. Our mission is to unite our community to end homelessness, one life at a time. Focusing on individuals experiencing homelessness, Roof Above offers everything from street outreach to shelter to Rapid Rehousing to Permanent Supportive Housing. Roof Above’s services and programs reach over 1,300 individuals every day across nine campuses in Charlotte. Roof Above was born through the merger of Urban Ministry Center and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte in 2019.

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary responsibility of the Employment Specialist is to assist homeless guests in gaining meaningful employment that will set them up for long-term success when they obtain a place of their own. This person will stay closely connected with partner agencies and their employment-related services, stay current about employment openings in the Charlotte area and exercise a whatever-it-takes approach to assisting men with connecting to these opportunities. This person will also directly link with and support the functioning of the volunteer-driven Housing and Employment Resource Center.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Work with clients of Roof Above to identify and overcome barriers to gaining employment.
• Be an eager dispenser of encouragement and empathy to clients during their stay at the shelter and maintain a “you-can-do-this" attitude in all interactions with both clients and volunteers.
• Communicate with employment partners regarding employment opportunities for clients.
• Co-publish the Daily Blast, a Monday-Friday newsletter for guests.
• Connect clients with needed agency and outside services and monitor progress.
• Carefully document interactions with clients in HMIS, with attention to income updates.
• Assist clients with obtaining and/or completing necessary documents to submit for possible employment.
• When necessary, provide transportation for clients to employment-related events or appointments.
• Provide regular feedback to Director on what’s working and what’s not working for clients.
• Participate in case management meetings with staff and clients involving difficult situations.
• Support and equip the vital work of the Housing and Employment Resource Center (HERC).
• Participate in staff meetings, training and other activities as directed.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Deep commitment to Roof Above core values

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This position works within the shelter setting. The schedule for this position is typically Monday – Friday during normal work hours (8am-5pm), with an hour lunch, but evening work may be required. The environment can be fast-paced and demanding.

OUR VALUES:

Heart for the Work

• We choose this work and embrace this place.
• We practice radical compassion.
• We each do our unique part to end homelessness.

Solution-Oriented

• Grounding ourselves in what we know, we imagine what is possible.
• We are intentional about getting the right people involved and we move towards effective action.
• We are exhaustive in our search for solutions.

Bring Our Best

• We practice self-care, self-awareness, and safety.
• We recognize what we need to let go of to move forward.
• We exercise diligence and grit.

Value Others

• We honor the profound worth of each life and our work reflects it.
• We meet people where they are and approach others with genuine curiosity.
• We know we can’t do it alone. We are stronger and smarter together.

Roof Above is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• A Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field preferred
• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience as a case manager or social worker.
• Prior experience working with homeless populations is preferred
• Understanding of mental illness and effective crisis intervention techniques,
• Ability to work independently with minimal daily supervision
• Demonstrated experience in managing details.
• Ability to interact with staff, guests, volunteers, donors, stakeholders, and partners.
• Ability to prioritize appropriately when facing multiple responsibilities and tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and oral.
• Comfort with Microsoft Excel and with basic data analysis