MISSION STATEMENT 

Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and recently incarcerated people, allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community.  

Job Summary

Under direct supervision of the Associate Director of Career Pathways, the Employment Counselor is the first point of contact for trainees referred for Workforce Development services. They will support trainees in creating and implementing an employment plan that includes assessing trainee strengths and challenges, assisting trainees in articulating their goals, tracking trainee progress in moving toward work readiness and job skills, and supporting trainee efforts to prepare for internal or external placement. The Employment Counselor will work with the Workforce Development (WFD) team, key partners, and employers to assist jobseekers within vulnerable populations (e.g., re-entry, homeless and disabled) to develop job readiness skills, enter and maintain placement within living-wage careers. The Employment Counselor will work to strengthen the local workforce sectors by increasing the employability and placement opportunities of jobseekers while simultaneously cultivating business relationships and providing employers with skilled applicants. The Employment Counselor will track and document all services provided to clients and employers as well as progress towards grant outcomes. They will also enter, organize, and maintain accurate data, reporting, and main files for all participants to successfully meet grant outcomes. 
 

Key Responsibilities

• 40% of the time will be developing individual employment plans and providing job-readiness services such as resume enhancement, pre-employment preparation, and job placement.
• 40% of time cultivating and maintaining employer partnerships leading to living wage jobs (from direct placements, hiring events, etc.) as well connecting with various employer networks.
• 15% of efforts will be dedicated to entering, organizing, and maintaining accurate data, reporting, and main files for all participants aligned and leading towards successful grant outcomes.
• 5% of the time will support management and the entire WFD team with assessment, planning, and improvement of the service delivery model and its execution.
• Utilize various recruitment strategies, including but not limited to social media and virtual platforms, to engage the community and partners.
• Provide approximately 180 jobseekers with career planning/ job-readiness (hard skills) training; job placement support into high growth industries.
• Track and organize weekly job-readiness training, placement, case notes and outcome progress on Care4 and internal tracking sheets.
• Facilitate weekly in-person job-readiness services/ workshops such as resume writing, mock interviews, computer literacy, etc.
• Implement various placement strategies on a weekly basis with jobseekers such as direct placements, on-the-job training (OJT), job fairs, targeted local hire, prescreening and matching with established employers.
• Achieve dozens of job placements monthly with fluctuation according to grant deliverables.
• Outreach, engage, cultivate relationships among businesses & employers weekly.
• Create relationships with employers in various high- growth industries such as construction, transportation, hospitality, clean energy, creative economy, social services, and coordinate placement of qualified candidates,
• Maintain files for all business services provided (e.g., employer files) such as business needs assessment forms and client referrals, into internal database, and shared spreadsheets.
• Gather, organize, and post job leads, recruitment events, hiring employers, job fairs, on a consistent basis via hard copy and virtual/ social media platform.
• Facilitate weekly to monthly case conferencing for participant caseload amongst the team and key partners to ensure adequate service delivery.
• Oversee referrals for small businesses services to Business Source Center and other community-based-organizations who support the needs of entrepreneurs.
• Initiates and participates within employer work groups, round tables, chambers of commerce, business corridors and other initiatives in appropriate targeted sectors.
• Complete weekly/monthly/quarterly reports to provide the organizational leadership with ongoing grant progress and success.
• Be flexible in a rotating work schedule when service delivery requires it (e.g., during recruitment activities, which may include evening or weekend work).
• Maintain professional boundaries and a positive work environment with all participants, staff, partners, supporters, and collaborators.
• Handle all client concerns, complaints, feedback, and recommendations promptly and with professionalism.
• Uphold Homeboy Industries’ mission & professionally represent the agency at assigned events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field; or related experience.
• At least 2 years’ experience in providing job development, staffing or business services in non/ for profit organizations.
• Experience with interviewing and evaluating resumes/ candidates for senior positions.
• Proven experience in mapping the labor market to build qualified and potential pipelines.
• Highly commercial, with proven relationship management and influencing skills across a broad range of stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and time management skills.
• Experience, comfort, and desire to work with various vulnerable populations such as re-entry, homeless, disabled, low-income, etc.
• Proficiency in Computer Skills and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Strong organizational skills to manage large caseload, data, and reporting duties
• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Reliable, and flexible team player who works well with minimal supervision, has a good work ethic, and can set and maintain personal boundaries.
• Demonstrated knowledge of participant community resources & services.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver's license, and car insurance
• Service delivery experience highly desirable

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• On occasion walk or drive to different local sites throughout the day.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, and occasionally lift or carry up to 35 lbs.
• Combination of field and office environment.
• May necessitate working in busy and loud environments.
• May be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise, and odor.
• Work regularly in a community that is exposed to gang activity, substance use, homelessness, and high unemployment rates.
• This is not a work-from-home position.

Benefits

This is a full-time position with a full benefits package including health, dental, vision, Life AD&D, and retirement account.  

Pay Range $22.00-$24.00/ hour
 

 EEO & ADA Statement
Homeboy Industries is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Additionally, Homeboy Industries is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact HR Director at 323.526.1254 ext. 340.