Retention Specialist

General Summary:

The Retention Specialist is responsible for completing registrations, assessments, individual employment plans, providing appropriate internal and external referrals, delivering employment preparation and retention services to clients that meet the funder's eligibility requirements, to enhance their focus in reaching employment benchmarks of 30, 90, 180 and 365 days. Program enrollments will be completed twice a week at many of the Safer sited Adult Transition Center's; 5517 South Michigan and the South Holland location. Retention Specialist maintain client engagement once enrolled, to ensure clients remain engaged and facilitate groups centered in pre-employment groups. Retention Specialist provide services appropriate to the client's service. Support Employment Pathway requires troubleshooting, critical thinking and problem solving to clients whose overall assessment for employment is vulnerable to high risk for employment, recidivism, low-skilled and have no-to little work history. Job Ready Transitional Employment Pathway and Job Ready Permanent Pathway whose overall assessment for employment is moderate to thriving, requires the shaping of career paths and working to implement those plans with clients who have one year or more of work experience. The Retention Specialist will report to the Employment Retention Manager. The funding for the Retention Specialist comes from the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Department of Family Supportive Services. These required outcomes are determined by the Standard Operating procedures of both funding sources and the Safer Foundation as applicable.

Performance Results Description

The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.

Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity and Evidence Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interface and Service:

• Conducts contacts, registrations, and assesses clients' needs and barriers to employment.
• Identify client's suitability and eligibility for services and convey results to client.
• Execute the processes of the (ASCEND) Model as prescribed assessing readiness for employment utilizing Motivational Interviewing.
• Facilitate pre-employment peer group that support job search activities for clients seeking as well as retention activities for clients employed with a view to advancement.
• Maintain client engagement following a job start through a variety of means: phone calls, text, email, teams, accession, or social media.
• Work one-on-one with clients to address issues that arise during the program that threaten employability and refer to appropriate services as needed.
• Complete special projects along with routine expectations when it is required.

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment:

• Represent Safer at outreach events.

Tracking, Document, and Reporting:

• Maintain ongoing audit ready case files.
• Maintain relevant and timely data entry in Salesforce (Birdseye) and ECM database systems daily and/or reports as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to write and communicate clearly and effectively present information in individual, small and large group settings.
• Knowledge of the employment barriers people with criminal records.
• Practical and critical thinking skills for servicing challenging and/or resistant clients.
• Proficiency in word, excel and power point.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline or a minimum of 2yrs experience is preferred.

Professional Competencies:

• Work Quality: Demonstrates and carries out a commitment to a high level of quality in all aspects of the job.
• Timeliness: Makes efficient and effective use of own time and assigned resources. Sets acceptable deadlines; and meets these deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Collaboration: Respects, and works effectively with, coworkers and others.
• Initiative: Seeks/cultivates and appropriately addresses opportunities to improve the work environment and to further Safer's mission. Follows through on open items as necessary. To be proactive, in addressing and seeking opportunities to improve our mission in collaboration with one's supervisor.
• Stakeholder Relations: Routinely develops and maintains positive and supportive relations with clients, staff, partners and funders. Provides a high level of service and support to all stakeholders
• Problem Solving: Evaluates situations, identifies and recommends options, applying creativity as appropriate. Develops and implement action plans that serve the best long-term interests of the customer. And makes sound decisions
• Communications: Communicates in an effective, positive and supportive manner with supervisor, coworkers, clients and others. Knowing when and where share information
• Records and Reports: Maintains accurate and useful records in accord with applicable procedures. Prepares and, as necessary, presents reports that are accurate, complete and within prescribed time frames.
• Policy Adherence: Follows agency, departmental and program policies.

Safer Foundation is a drug-free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Minorities/Females/Veterans

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