Employment Specialist-Bilingual

Employment Specialist (Bilingual) Job Location - Springfield, MA Position Type - Full-time Salary Range - $23.00 - $26.00 Hourly Interested in joining our team of dedicated professionals? Way Finders is currently seeking a full-time bilingual (English/Spanish) Employment Specialist. The Employment Specialist contributes to our mission by assisting families living in emergency shelter, applying for rental assistance, or enrolled in specialty programs (e.g. those receiving Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits) to build stability and prepare for work. Wage starts between $23.00 and $26.00 per hour depending on equivalent qualifications. Interested applicants must submit a resume and cover letter; applications will be accepted until the position is filled. CORI/MVR. The candidate will work fully onsite, primarily in Springfield and Holyoke. Occasional evening and weekend hours are required. Travel throughout Western Massachusetts is a component of this role. Responsibilities include: * Receive and respond to all assigned referrals, meeting or beating set program guidelines on response time; regularly travel to shelters and community partner sites across Western Massachusetts * Within set program timelines: conduct comprehensive intake and assessment of participants? employment readiness: skills, education needs, and barriers to successful job placement; develop individualized employment plans with participants, identifying goals and next steps to prepare for job search activities * Provide ongoing case management support to address barriers, e.g. childcare, transportation, housing stability, and training needs; connect participants with community supports as needed * Maintain complete, accurate, and timely case files, participant data, and employment readiness plans and activities in compliance with program guidelines * Collect and report documentation that supports reporting and billing requirements, e.g. training records, certifications * Collaborate with team members and appropriate stakeholders to deliver ongoing employment readiness workshops, including evenings and weekends as necessary; connect participants to workforce readiness programs and trainings, including those with the One Stop Career Center * Deliver soft skills coaching as needed and appropriate, e.g. workplace expectations, punctuality, dress code * Proactively identify those who are job-ready and coordinate with appropriate program coordinator(s) for job placement and employer connections * Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal staff and departments, community groups, funding sources, and other workforce development agencies or community agencies * Collect and share information, including across programs, on available employment and workforce development services and resources * Proactively identify and inform program management of any issues that may adversely affect participants, the department, or organization Requirements include: 2 years' equivalent experience in workforce development or a related field; a combination of experience plus an Associate degree may be a substitute Preference for case management experience and/or experience working with families experiencing housing instability or economic hardship Bilingual (English/Spanish) verbal and written skills required Adept communicator with strong interpersonal skills; ability to build trust with others Adept with Office365 and databases; comfortable learning new technologies Highly organized with strong documentation skills Ability to problem-solve and coordinate service across multiple systems Ability to work evenings or weekends as needed Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record; reliable vehicle CORI