Program Specialist - Workforce Development

Description

Erie Neighborhood House has provided the most comprehensive support immigrant and low-income families in Chicago need to thrive and has constantly evolved to meet their needs. Today, Erie House is a modern social service nonprofit with programming and resources for children and youth, mental health and community wellness, adult education and training, legal services, and more. Through these programs, we empower the people we work alongside to build powerful communities.

The primary function of the Program Specialist is to maintain effective working relationships with program clients and Career Pathways students to collect documentation, provide follow-up services, and other wrap around services. In addition, the Program Specialist will communicate effectively with team members and program manager to ensure program clients and students are receiving appropriate support from the Workforce Development program. 

The Full-time Program Specialist will be a position in partnership with the Workforce Development Program directly impacting job seekers in the Chicagoland area and its surrounding suburbs. 

In return for your commitment to Erie House and its mission to the community, you will enjoy excellent professional development opportunities, opportunities for growth, and have a direct impact in building powerful communities. Be a part of one of the oldest and most respected Settlement House in the Chicago Land Area. 

Program Specialist:

• Case manages all the participants who are actively involved in a Workforce Development program including job seekers, CDBG, bridge program, etc. to ensure the following: bridge class attendance, transition into postsecondary training, completion of postsecondary training, and industry-related job placement.  
• Guide participants in exploring different training and employment pathways in a particular industry to decide which path best fits their interests and skills.
• Advise participants regarding the academic and other eligibility requirements for various career training programs at City Colleges of Chicago and other training institutions to help them select a school and set realistic educational goals.
• Advise participants of their financial aid options for advanced training and assist them with creating a plan to pay for advanced training.
• Educate and assist participants with the creation of resumes and cover letters.
• Coordinate with volunteers to conduct mock interviews, job readiness workshops, and industry guidance through guest speakers.
• Develop and connect with industry-related employers and training institutes to provide job openings and educational opportunities for participants.
• Share job leads, workshops/events, and scholarship opportunities with participants and follow up with the outcome.
• Assist participants with addressing barriers that prevent them from completing the bridge program, postsecondary training, or obtaining employment
• Refer participants to other programs and/or resources within Erie House and externally to help address barriers to success.
• Create and follow up with participants on their individual employment plans.
• Assess all incoming participants for suitability into the program
• Record and maintain succinct case notes of all contact with participants in Salesforce to track participant progress

Program Support:

• Attend workshops and meetings as relevant to the position. 
• Research and conduct outreach in prime venues, events or community areas to increase enrollment into workforce bridge programs. 
• Attending outreach events and job fairs to bring resources and participants to our program. 
• Support Program Manager in organizing job fair event for Workforce Development program. 
• Developing flyers, brochures, and other methods to advertise job placement activities.
• Coordinates and distributes information and materials for meetings; assists in planning meeting agendas; assists in meeting set-up; maintains current committee member lists for various committees.
• Engage in collaborative engagement among the team.
• Provide updated reports to the program manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree. 
• Minimum of two years of experience providing workforce case management to immigrants, career changers and/or youth
• Experience with creating and providing feedback with resumes and mock interviews
• Strong oral communication skills, bilingual English/Spanish mandatory
• Professional writing skills and ability to assist with some grant writing
• Comfortable and confident with public speaking
• Ability to build connections with employers, participants as well as volunteers and confident with networking skills
• Flexibility with work schedule & ability to travel around Chicago

TEAM MEMBER BENEFITS 

• Compensation of $23.08 / hour 
• Work / life integration 
  • Generous paid time off        

(examples below for full-time employment) 

• 12 accrued sick days per year 
• 3 personal days 
• Paid birthday off 
• 8 paid holidays, including Juneteenth 
• In addition to above paid holidays, paid week off between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day 
• Vacation 
  • Year 1 = 8 days 
  • Year 2 = 13 days 
  • Year 3 + = 20 days 
• Access to alternative and flexible work schedules and personal leave, where possible 
• Two-weeks fully paid Parental Leave, for eligible employees  
• Time off for school conferences and activities as well as bereavement leave 
• Professional Development 
  • Employer-sponsored learning and development programs 
  • Paid day off annually for personal professional development  
  • Tuition Assistance & Debt Relief Program, as budget allows 
  • DEI Council-sponsored education and engagement series  
• Wellness support 
  • Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance 
  • Employer-paid life insurance 
  • Voluntary life and AD&D and short and long-term disability 
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, vision, and dependent care 
  • 403b with employer match 
  • Employee Assistance Program 
  • Yoga, Zumba, and Book Club, when onsite 

Union/Non-Exempt

Erie Neighborhood House is dedicated to creating a workforce that promotes and supports diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without discrimination. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact us at hr@eriehouse.org. 

NO TELEPHONE CALLS PLEASE!

MUST BE A MEMBER OF AFSCME OR JOIN AFTER 30 DAYS

ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

ACCREDITED BY NAEYC & NATIONAL AFTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

RECOGNIZED BY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE; 

UNITED WAY MEMBER