Job Description:

Job Title:                     Employment Specialist  

Group:                         Programs

Department:                Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP)

Region:                       NC

Location:                     Durham, NC; Fayetteville, NC

Classification:             Non-Exempt  

Status:                         Full Time

Reports to:                  Senior Program Director

Supervises:                  N/A

Travel Requirement:   Telework Capacity and travel in the Carolina regions, as needed.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas empowers self-reliance and inspires hope. As a church without walls, we do this through personalized housing, ministry, health, and human services that benefit vulnerable individuals, their families and the community. Founded in 1896 in Baltimore, MD by social reformers, Ballington and Maud Booth, we were one of the first of over 30 affiliates of Volunteers of America – one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations.  

 Our founders envisioned a movement dedicated to reaching and uplifting the American people. On behalf of the organization, the Booths pledged “to go wherever we are needed, and do whatever comes to hand”. Their declaration continues to guide Volunteers of America's impact on “Helping America’s most vulnerable”.

 Through a dedicated and committed team of more than 850 employees and thousands of volunteers, we provide critical care, support services and hope to thousands of people each year throughout Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and the Carolinas. We firmly believe our employees drive the success of the organization. Through our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, we endeavor to attract, engage and retain qualified, diverse, compassionate individuals to join our journey and experience a work environment that offers challenging, stimulating and financially rewarding opportunities.

JOB SUMMARY

To find and engage homeless veterans in the Volunteers of America Carolinas’ Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program, with the ultimate goal of helping them secure and maintain gainful employment, thereby increasing the likelihood of long-term economic self-sufficiency and residential stability.  To develop and implement with the Program Supervisor program strategies that best help to meet program goals.  This position is exempt and reports to the Program Supervisor.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify and engage male and female homeless veterans on the streets, in shelters and at other places where homeless people congregate, thereby producing referrals for the program.


• Complete a comprehensive assessment of each veteran and determine which resources (i.e. job training, education, housing, mental health and/or substance abuse treatment, medical care, etc.) are necessary for securing and maintaining gainful employment. 


• Prepare a Service Plan that lists the specific needs of the veteran and identifies a course of action for meeting those needs.  


• Facilitate referrals and connections to any services or resources that are necessary.


• Assist with the development and training of the program’s Employment Readiness workshops.


• Provide job development and placement assistance by cultivating a pool of job openings suitable for program participants.  Engage with Employers to hire HVRP participants.


• Place veterans in jobs according to program planned goals.


• Assist veterans in the retention of jobs for three quarters following job placement.


• Provide career counseling and job coaching to participants.


• Meet with each assigned veteran face-to-face at least once per month to provide support, monitor progress on the Service Plan, and to make modifications to the Plan as necessary.


• Attend all outreach events within the community (i.e. stand downs, employment/job fairs, employment training programs) to actively recruit homeless veterans.


• Cultivate ongoing relationships with the VA Medical Center and other community based service providers in an effort to expand the network of resources available to participants.


• Assist in maintaining a database of all available community resources.


• Provide immediate emergency services such as food, clothing, blankets, and emergency transportation.


• Use HVRP grant funds as regulated, providing receipts and any necessary documentation.


• Work with the Program Supervisor to plan job placement/training  methods which best meet the needs of veterans in service area.


• Represent the interests of the agency, the program and the program participants in all activities.

EFFECTS ON END RESULTS:

• Effective resident programs and services are maintained.


• Effective management and supervision of all staff and volunteers is maintained.


• Property management oversight and functioning is maintained to standards.


• Policies and Procedures are implemented.


• Sound financial operations are maintained.


• Programs and staff maintain a positive, professional image to residents and the local and professional communities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Position requires a bachelor’s degree and two years of related experience. 




• Experience in work placement programs desired. 




• Military veteran’s status also desired. 




• Experience in counseling, crisis intervention, substance abuse/mental health issues, and familiarity with community resources is essential. 




• Requires a person with flexibility to work day and evening hours, including weekends and holidays as needed. 




• May at times work in harsh weather conditions in the performance of his or her duties. 

OTHER:

• This position may require driving your personal vehicle for company business.  Must be privileged to drive according to the criteria set forth by Agency MVR guidelines.

  
  

  • Valid driver’s license in jurisdiction of residence

  
  

  • Vehicle liability coverage if driving personal vehicle (on occasion, may be required to transport clients in personal vehicle)

  
  

  • May be required to drive a van

  
  



• Acceptable Criminal background check, OIG Exclusion check




• Negative Drug Screening




• CPR/First Aid Certification must be acquired and maintained once employed

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, consumers, and program supplies as necessary.




• The physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear and perform basic and light home maintenance activities, and operate office equipment.




• Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.




• The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.