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About the Role

An Employment Specialist provides community-based supported employment and education services to youth and young adults, utilizing the evidence-based Individual Placement & Support model. The role promotes clients’ recovery and wellness by assisting them in obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment that aligns with their preferences, strengths, and long-term career goals. This position also provides administrative support by maintaining client files, entering data, and completing required documentation.

Responsibilities

Provide client-centered, trauma-informed in-person supported employment services to diverse individuals.
Work with teammates and other support staff to ensure fidelity of the Individual Placement and Support model.
Participate in regular field monitoring, training, and job shadowing.
Transport clients to job interviews, job shadowing opportunities, worksites, and supportive service agencies.
Regularly and effectively assess and manage incidents and crisis situations.
Attend job fairs and other outreach events in the community.
Conduct a minimum of 6 in-person employer contacts per week with hiring managers.
Apply interviewing skills to learn about individual client preferences, past experiences, hopes and concerns regarding employment.
Assess clients' vocational functioning utilizing background information and work experiences.
Identify and leverage clients’ strengths as part of service planning.
Complete intake forms and recurring assessments with clients seeking supported employment or supported education services.
Actively engage in the community alongside clients to conduct job development and job search activities.
Provide individualized follow-along support to assist clients in seeking and maintaining employment and/or completing education goals.
Develop an individual employment (and/or education) plan with clients, incorporating input from team members, external partners, and/or family members.
Write job support goals and steps with clients and incorporate input from the client-centered team.
Provide education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients.
Provide supported education, using principles of the Individual Placement & Support model, for clients interested in education.
Meet with LifeWorks staff regularly to provide coordinated wrap-around services for shared clients.
Assist clients with developing job readiness skills such as resume writing, interview skills, soft skills, and presentation skills.
Analyze barriers and challenges and deliver safe, effective, and client-focused solutions.
Comply with all requirements outlined by funding sources, licensure, and accrediting bodies.
Maintain timely, complete, and accurate case records and documentation.
Perform heavy data entry into agency/funder databases.
Discern how and when to provide approved financial assistance to support the client.
Assist clients in obtaining necessary documents to secure employment.
Support clients with connections to community resources to ensure their basic needs are met.
Assist clients in obtaining information about their benefits and how they will be affected by employment.
Provide budgeting support and financial literacy education to clients.
Provide timely interventions and outreach services to clients when they appear to disengage from services.
Ensure required client consents are collected and documented.
Prepare for and actively participate in supervision meetings and all other required meetings or trainings.
Other duties as assigned.
Provide services and support in Spanish, translate documents, and assist in special projects related to the Spanish-speaking community (for Bilingual Spanish-service staff only).

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in social work or other related field.
Requires 2 years related experience with youth and young adults, preferably in employment/education services, case management.
Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proficient in MS Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
1+ years of experience working with a database tool to log and enter data.
Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver's license within 30 days.
Standard First-Aid and CPR Certification as required by individual program.

Skills

Client Focus
Collaborates and Adapts
Honors Differences
Nimble Learning
Builds Trust
Action Oriented
MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
CRM Software
Interviewing skills
Job development
Job search activities
Resume writing
Soft skills
Presentation skills
Budgeting support
Financial literacy education
De-escalation techniques
Safety planning techniques

Location

Austin, TX

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

2 years related experience with youth and young adults, preferably in employment/education services, case management
1+ years of experience working with a database tool

Education Level

Bachelor’s degree in social work or other related field
Equivalent combination of education and experience

Salary/Compensations

$24.86 - $27.17 per hour

Benefits

24 PTO days per year (accrued)
11 paid holidays per year
Premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution
Affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options
Retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions

About the Company

With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education, and workforce services.
Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home, a sense of belonging, and the support to pursue a life they love.
We provide a full range of support services for vulnerable youth, ensuring that every young person has access to a safe home, the chance to heal, and opportunities to learn and work.
Through innovative problem-solving, shared accountability, and evidence-based solutions, we are relentless in achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve.
A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow professionally while making an immediate, lasting impact on the lives of youth and families in our community.
Join us in building a future where every young person has the stability and support to thrive.