Employment Specialist, Homeless Employment Program (Part-Time)

Why work with YWCA Seattle King Snohomish?

YWCA SKS is the region's largest non-profit organization with a 120+ year legacy, focused on the needs of women, with programs serving 7,000 people each year. When you work with YWCA, you make a difference.

We're women and BIPOC-led, family-centered, and supportive of employees. As a full-time YWCA employee (30+ hours), you'll enjoy a benefits package including medical insurance, generous vacation, holiday, sick leave plans, and an outstanding retirement plan. Put your passion for racial equity and social justice to work - apply today!

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Employment Specialist works with individuals experiencing homelessness to develop job readiness

skills, access job search support, connect to education and training opportunities, and secure employment.

This role conducts assessments, facilitates job readiness workshops, and supports clients with job retention, wage progression, and financial and time management skills. The Employment Specialist also connects participants to support services to help ensure they have the training, clothing, and tools needed to succeed in the workplace.

Additional responsibilities include maintaining accurate client records, tracking progress toward program outcomes, and collaborating with life coaches, employers, and community partners to support client success.

Note: This position requires full-time onsite presence. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available.

Expectations of your role:

• Work with community partners to recruit and screen applicants to determine eligibility for program services
• Identify employment goals and assess clients' job readiness, occupational training needs, and need for additional community resources, and help develop clear and realistic employment and educational objectives
• Work closely with staff of the YWCA's Homeless Intervention and Employment & Housing Stability programs, as well as WorkSource Renton and the broader WorkSource system
• Provide clients with support services for work-related needs and/or make referrals to other community agencies to resolve barriers to employment
• Provide individual and group job search preparation and training to explore and develop the habits and attitudes needed to be successful in the workplace
• Coach clients in developing job skills, resumes, cover letters, interview skills, and soft skills, and provide clients with job search and labor market information
• Assist clients with job retention, wage progression, housing stability, and financial literacy goals
• Maintain accurate client files and complete the Self-Sufficiency Calculator with participants
• Complete monthly and quarterly data and narrative reports on program performance and client demographics
• Will require occasional travel to multiple locations, including other offices, college campuses, housing programs, employer locations, and job and resource fairs
• May also assist in the development and delivery of job skills and employability workshops

Must have's to be successful:

• Bachelor's degree in social services, social work, education, or a related field OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience required
• One to two years of experience in areas such as client recruitment, enrollment, career planning, job placement, case management, or program reporting
• Knowledge of case management practices
• Familiarity with King County labor market trends, vocational training programs, and the WorkSource system
• Understanding of issues related to poverty, homelessness, and systems serving low-income communities
• Strong customer service and client engagement skills
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing homelessness, limited English proficiency, domestic violence, or other employment barriers
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and online tools such as SharePoint and SurveyMonkey
• Ability to travel independently between multiple work sites within a workday

Hours, Rate, and Benefits

• Hourly Rate: Starting at $28.00 per hour
• Status: Part-Time, 20 hours per week
• We offer pro-rated paid sick time, vacation, floating holiday, and all 10 paid holidays.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In performing this position, the employee:
  
  
  • All positions at YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish are exposed to clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms including but not limited to domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, financial hardship, etc. As a result, staff are at risk of secondary trauma. Employees are encouraged to seek external support and maintain self-care when working indirectly or directly with clients.
  • Regularly sits, stands, and walks throughout the workday
  • Frequently communicates with clients, staff, and community partners in person and by phone
  • Uses computers, phones, and other office equipment regularly
  • Occasionally travels to off-site locations, including meetings and job fairs
  • Frequently lifts and carries up to 5 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds
  • Occasionally bends, kneels, reaches, pushes, and pulls when accessing files or materials
  • May stand for extended periods while facilitating workshops or attending event
  
  
  *Continuously = Over 80% of the time * Frequently = 20-80% * Occasionally = Under 20%
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YWCA encourages applicants with a variety of experiences to apply!

At YWCA, we recognize that lived expertise is a powerful asset. This refers to the insights, knowledge, and skills developed by those who have navigated systems and experienced inequity.

Valuing lived expertise helps build trust with program participants, develop culturally responsive programs, and break down barriers to equity. It enriches our collective understanding and enhances our ability to serve communities that are furthest from opportunity.

Mental Health Considerations

All employees of the YWCA interact with clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms, including but not limited to, racial trauma, domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, and financial hardship. As a result, employees are at risk of secondary trauma. We encourage employees to seek support inside and outside the workplace and maintain self-care routines.

Equal Opportunity Employment

YWCA Seattle King Snohomish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To read more about this, view the EEO is the Law Poster and this EEO is the Law Poster Supplement.

For more information

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions or if you need accommodation for your application.