Resource Specialist

At the Northwest Regional Re-Entry Center (NWRRC), we are passionate about providing high-quality reintegration services to our residents, accountability, and protecting our community. We are a non-profit organization that began in 1964, and we operate a 150-plus bed residential re-entry center. We provide transitional services to those re-entering society from incarceration, for probation clients serving sanctions for violations of their supervised release, and for those under community restoration orders.

Our mission is to support, educate, and encourage our residents, while they do the work necessary toward successful transition from the criminal justice system back into their communities with improved life skills. We are committed to assuring effective supervision, providing structure, expecting accountability, and as a result protecting the community.

Position: We are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated Resource Specialist to join our team. As a Resource Specialist, you will provide guidance, direction and assistance to our resident population. This includes assisting residents in seeking employment, developing resumes, how to navigate public transportation, how to use of computer resources, and building and maintaining community relationships. The stable, safe and verifiable employment of residents is a priority goal in the reentry process and is a statistical indicator of transitional success.

Sample of responsibilities:

• Assist residents in seeking employment, including: the development of an accurate and business-like resume, information regarding public transportation, use of computer resources to find work opportunities, and referral of clients to potential employment sources.
• Conduct Employment Orientations with all residents within 3 days of arrival. Perform weekly case notes with all unemployed residents.
• Conduct employment & vocational assessments to determine interests, skills and abilities. This assessment will determine the appropriate course of action regarding employment, schooling and training.
• Coordinate with residents to obtain appropriate identification prior to beginning job search.
• Conduct initial verification and on-site inspection of resident's proposed employment prior to the first day of work. Establish a working relationship with the employer for future communication. Enter and maintain employment information and schedule in the Alert Log for accountability purposes.
• Evaluate and refer residents to program or community resources such as SE Works, Central City Concern, Mercy Corp, local job fairs, etc.
• Conduct and document weekly employment verification by telephone calls to employers.
• Maintain a resource file of employers who are willing to hire offenders and work to actively recruit new employers to add to this pool.
• Continuously develop relationships with employers, community resources, volunteer sites and relationships that can provide assistance and training to the resident population.
• Monitor resident's use of computers and other electronic devices in the Resource Room to ensure the appropriateness of content being accessed.

Compensation: Starts at $27.61 hourly

Schedule: This position requires in-person availability 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Benefits: Employees working full-time will enjoy a competitive benefits package, including:

• Paid time off: Staff receive 6 days of PTO and accrue up to 12 days of vacation annually, to start (3.6 weeks). Staff also accrue 12 days of sick time annually.
• Healthcare: We pay 100% of the medical, vision and dental premiums for our staff, and 50% for a spouse and/or dependents. Insurance begins the first of the month following date of hire. We also pay for life insurance, AD&D insurance and long term disability.
• Retirement: We have an employer-funded Simplified Employee Pension plan. You are eligible after 1 year and we will contribute 7% on a quarterly basis.
• Tuition assistance: We will pay up to 50% of your tuition cost for a degree or certificate in a related field of study. You are eligible after 6 months.
• Fitness: We will pay you up to $50 monthly for exercising/going to the gym.
• Free Meal: You can enjoy a free meal from our cafeteria and we have an amazing food services program.
• Other benefits and perks

Requirements:

• Experience and Education: A combination of education and experience that demonstrates knowledge of employment services, career development activities, and techniques to overcome barriers to employment frequently encountered by correctional clients. A Bachelor's Degree and at least 2 years of case management/employment services/direct client contact are strongly preferred, but not required. Professional experience and maturity is required for this position; the work and decisions made in this department affect all other departments. Effective communication verbally and through written documentation between multi-disciplinary departments is critical to success in this position.
• Availability: Must be available to work in-person, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm. Flexibility in availability is strongly preferred.
• Background Check: To be eligible for employment, you must be able to pass a state and federal background investigation.
• Pre-Employment Drug Test: To be eligible for employment, you must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test. Under our federal contract, testing positive for marijuana/cannabis/THC is a disqualifier. Our contract requires random testing of current staff.
• Driver's License: This position requires a valid Driver's License with an acceptable driving record. Occasional job duties will include operating NWRRC vehicles.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team!

NWRRC provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Due to the nature of the population we work with and our federal and state contracts, all staff must be able to pass a comprehensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening, which includes testing for the use of cannabis/thc.