Employment & Retention Specialist

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a nonprofit organization that funds job training, education, and other community programs by selling donated clothing and household items in Goodwill stores and online. We offer life-changing work on a mission-minded team. We are 1,000 working as one and each of us is essential to helping our community thrive. For three years running, Goodwill has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s “Most Inspiring Companies”.

We offer a wide range of career opportunities ranging from entry-level to management in retail, human services, and administrative fields. Learn more about working at Goodwill. You can help. We can show you how.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Employment & Retention Specialist will be responsible for supporting participants within our disability services programming to obtain a job and retain employment through successful support services and case management. This includes assessing the participant’s needs and providing, or supporting, all job readiness services, skills development, and on the job coaching to meet the goals of programming. The Employment & Retention Specialist’s caseload may vary dependent on funding requirements and the participant’s individual plan. This position is expected to monitor goal completion, provide follow along services as needed, attend and participate in service team meetings and maintain up to date, accurate files in accordance with agency and funder requirements.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Develop an employment plan of action and related goals; assist individuals in applying for and obtaining other services related to meeting stated goals.
• Provide job specific training, support and supervision to individuals with disabilities/barriers to employment by ensuring that individuals’ needs are met, goals are implemented, and a safe environment is maintained.
• Locate job openings and deliver quality job search, placement, retention and career development services through agency collaboration and the utilization of job search technologies and resources to identify jobs according to participant abilities, skills and interests.
• Provide necessary pre-employment supports and assist in verification of employment information provided by potential participants.
• Correctly complete and submit all required and requested program documentation
• Complete documentation and/or paperwork for new participants as well as providing job readiness assessment to address potential barriers to employment.
• Be knowledgeable of and follow all applicable regulations, procedures and policies for Goodwill of SWPA as the employment sites, including but not limited to attendance, training requirements, and safety policies and procedures

Travel Required: Yes, local travel as needed.

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8a-4p

External Hiring Range: $18.25- $18.98

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent AND 4 years of experience successfully working with individuals with disabilities/barriers
• Associates Degree AND 2 years of experience successfully working with individuals with disabilities/barriers
• Bachelor Degree AND 1 year of experience successfully working with individuals with disabilities/barriers

Required Experience: Experience working with individuals/families with barriers to employment and experience with locating employment and/or improve job readiness skills required.

Required Degree: Education/Teaching, Psychology/Rehabilitation, Business/Management or Science or related.

REQUIRED CLEARANCES, LICENSES, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Candidates are expected to provide current valid clearances (Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprints Clearance, and PATCH) upon hire.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.