Employment Specialist

Company Overview:

As a long-time leader in Connecticut, New Reach hopes to now chart a new path by fundamentally shifting how our community manages and responds to the homelessness and housing insecurity crises. With increased focus on preventing evictions and providing long-term stability for those who are establishing their independence, we believe a true systems change is possible. We imagine a world where the need for shelter is minimal, because individuals and families are able to stay in their homes instead of being evicted and those who are struggling to make ends meet can get the help they need to maintain stability. We inspire lasting independence for all people affected by homelessness and poverty through a continuum of housing and support, using the most innovative, progressive, equitable and inclusive methods.

Primary Purpose:

To provide job readiness, workforce development, and employment support to Young Adults ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness or are in the process of being housed). This role focuses on increasing employment, enhancing vocational skills, and improving income stability as part of each young adult's housing and stabilization plan.

Essential Functions:

• Engage clients using a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach, establishing trusting, collaborative, strength-based relationships focused on empowerment, self-efficacy, and long-term employment success.

• Meet with clients in person, including in their homes, community locations, and shelter settings, to deliver accessible, youth-centered employment supports

• Provide resume building, interview preparation, and employment skill-building that highlights youth strengths, talents, and future goals.

• Develop individualized employment plans collaboratively with youth, incorporating their goals, preferences, and feedback, and coordinating with the assigned case worker to support holistic stabilization.

• Conduct job development and job search activities that build on each youth's strengths and interests, consistent with PYD's focus on individualized opportunity creation.

• Support youth in making employer contacts, submitting applications, and exploring career opportunities, while coaching confidence, self-advocacy, and workplace readiness.

• Coordinate with community employment providers to bring presenters, workforce training, certification opportunities, and youth-friendly employment resources directly to clients.

• Provide individualized support to help youth maintain employment, navigate workplace challenges, and continue building their vocational identity and independence.

• Support case management functions to ensure coordinated care, cross-team collaboration, and consistency in youth stabilization pathways.

• Accurately enter service data and case notes into HMIS in accordance with agency timelines, documentation standards, and contractual requirements.

• Collaborate with internal teams (Diversion, Rapid Rehousing, Permanent Supportive Housing and Transitional Housing) and external partners, promoting a coordinated, youth-driven continuum of support grounded in Positive Youth Development.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Human Services (or similar) or Associate's Degree and three years human service experience required

• At least 3 years of experience providing employment services

• Experience working with people experiencing homelessness that are diagnosed with serious mental illnesses and/or substance use disorder

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The associate must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.