Published: Jan 13, 2025 - The Employment Specialist supports the Associate Director in creating a comprehensive community outreach plan and developing youth workforce strategies and partnerships. This position engages youth by creating Employment Road Maps, conducting job readiness assessments, and providing ongoing coaching while maintaining strong relationships with community employment partners for workshops and job placements. This role manages participant data entry, tracks internship and job opportunities, co-facilitates orientations, and plans skill-building workshops focused on employment readiness.

An Introduction to Professional Skills and Functions for Employment Specialist with a Cover Letter
1. Details for Employment Specialist Cover Letter
- Creates talent pipelines and builds position benches through various forms of sourcing.
- Maintains the Talent Module in HRIS (Kronos).
- Handles job requisition and advertising processes.
- Ensures accuracy and compliance in job postings.
- Participates in Diversity and Inclusion initiatives through outreach/networking, Workforce Development postings, etc.
- Acts as a liaison to candidates, assisting with administering pre-employment assessments and completing paperwork.
- Assist with phone screening applicants and generating leads
- Assist clients to establish goals and identify steps and tasks to accomplish goals as written in the Community Employment Plan such as conducting six employer contacts per week.
- Provide pre-employment services to clients.
- Assist clients to locate and secure employment, and education of choice as indicated in the Community Employment Plan.
- Provide flexible individualized support so that the client can succeed in his/her job or educational plan.
- Communicate with the team and participate in team meetings.
- Document individual service information to ensure continuity of services for clients including reliable, complete records.
- Promote an inclusive, diverse, culturally competent and respectful work environment.
Skills: Talent Pipeline Development, HRIS Management (Kronos), Job Requisition and Advertising, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, Pre-Employment Screening and Onboarding, Client Goal Setting and Employment Planning, Individualized Client Support, Documentation and Record Keeping
2. Roles for Employment Specialist Cover Letter
- Work closely with the Associate Director to develop a comprehensive community outreach plan
- Assist with the development of BCJC’s youth workforce development strategies and partnerships
- Develop Employment Road Maps with youth that outline steps for achieving employment and complete job readiness assessments with youth to measure work readiness and track progress toward employment goals
- Conduct regular outreach to participants to build relationships and ensure continued engagement in programming and outreach to youth placed in HSE, certification and employment to provide ongoing support and coaching
- Build and maintain relationships with community employment partners to provide workshops, guest speakers and potential job placement for program participants
- Complete weekly reports that detail programming successes, youth progress and planned next steps to support participant goals
- Enter intake information, workshop attendance, and progress in the appropriate database
- Identify, engage, and track potential internship, job training and job placement sites and escort participants
- Assist with the development of the Justice Center’s “Neighborhood Hub” and coordination of incubation activities
- Co-facilitate orientation sessions and programs for work readiness members
- Plan and/or facilitate sector-based training and/or workshops on employment readiness skill-building with members, including resume and cover letter writing, job search and interview skills
Skills: Community Outreach and Engagement, Youth Workforce Development Strategies, Employment Road Maps Creation, Youth Coaching and Support, Building Relationships with Community Employers, Report Writing and Data Entry, Job Placement and Internship Coordination, Training and Workshop Facilitation
3. Responsibilities for Employment Specialist Cover Letter
- Provide individual assessments to discover strengths for and barriers to employment
- Provide individual support related to career and/or internship skills, general support, and employment retention
- Maintain records of identified participants’ contacts
- Attend community meetings and events to support recruitment
- Organize and participate in all administration/management and program review meetings to ensure program progress
- Help communicate progress to other Justice Center staff
- Attend PWD events and participate in planning committees
- Provide all services in a culturally competent manner, being responsive to the needs of urban court-involved youth
- Maintain a work culture conducive to innovation and team building
- Conduct intakes, coordinate the referral process and enroll individuals in OPWDD services.
- Conduct community outreach to ensure steady referrals.
- Assist in the preparation of monthly and quarterly reports/statistics including the collection and compilation of information pertinent to same.
- Review individuals’ records for timeliness and completion of all required documentation as per regulatory and contractual requirements.
- Maintains a caseload.
Skills: Individual Employment Assessments, Career Skills Support, Record Keeping, Community Outreach, Program Management, Culturally Competent Service Delivery, Team Building, Caseload Management
4. Functions for Employment Specialist Cover Letter
- Support the employment specialist to accomplish a variety of goals upon hiring
- Deliver on-the-job training to clients in learning new tasks, adapting to the workplace environment, and establishing normalized work routines to support individualized outcomes
- Carry out job development activities, including networking, marketing, identification of potential placement opportunities, touring of companies, identification of business decision-makers, building and maintaining business relationships, and securing positions for trainees.
- Support participants in the person-centered planning process
- Identify individual learning styles, skills, strengths and job preferences, and develop individual service plans.
- Oversee case management, schedule and facilitate participant annual meetings
- Assist in the development of training programs to ensure trainees’ work performance meets employer standards
- Assist in the development and implementation of trainees’ annual goals and track progress
- Participate in organization functions and attend staff meetings and trainings as scheduled
- Maintain professional relationships and provide excellent customer service with employers, GGRC and DOR Counselors, families, caregivers, and trainees
- Ensure a safe work environment for participants according to general safety standards
- Comply with participant’s rights, AbilityPath and program policies, CARF standards, NPS compliance, CCL regulations, CAL-OSHA, quality assurance standards, etc.
- Reporting any known or suspected adult/child abuse
- Comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and law
Skills: On-the-Job Training Delivery, Job Development and Networking, Person-Centered Planning Support, Individual Service Plan Development, Case Management and Meeting Facilitation, Training Program Development, Employer Relationship Management, Workplace Safety and Compliance
5. Accountabilities for Employment Specialist Cover Letter
- Collaborates the provision of services with all other treatment/service providers both internal and external to the agency.
- Seeks appropriate supervision and ongoing training to be equipped to work with complex clinical situations.
- Demonstrates knowledge and skills of job duties and maintains accountability and responsibility for all tasks assigned.
- Documentation/billing is accurate and meets all standards.
- Demonstrates culturally competent respect for all clients and guests through verbal and non-verbal behaviors and assists them
- Conduct intake data collection and perform client needs assessments.
- Establish job placements for new clients and work with staff to upgrade other client's employment.
- Develop and maintain employer contacts for the purpose of developing a list of employers interested in hiring client populations.
- Conduct job readiness groups and/or individual counseling training programs to prepare clients for job search.
- Work closely with the respective case managers for efficient coordination of client employment goals.
- Establish vocational/educational programs and establish working relationships with schools, alternative education centers and the Department of Labor Services.
- Provide engaging instruction to participants with various developmental levels, skill sets, and behaviors
- Respond to challenging behaviors and support behavioral plans to increase engagement
Skills: Collaboration with Treatment Providers, Clinical Supervision, Accountability and Responsibility, Accurate Documentation, Culturally Competent Client Interaction, Client Intake, Job Placement, Vocational Program Development
What Are the Qualifications and Requirements for Employment Specialist in a Cover Letter?
1. Knowledge And Abilities for Employment Specialist Cover Letter
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Proficient in basic computer skills including typing/data entry, MS Office, internet and email usage.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills that show professionalism and competence.
- Experience working with persons with a disability
- Knowledge of current local and regional economic conditions and labour market information options for job seekers
- Strong interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills
- Experience in establishing a broad-based employer network
- Advanced proficiency in Internet research, Microsoft Office, and social media
- Ability to engage collaborative partners effectively and professionally.
- Demonstrated attendance and punctuality in meeting the required schedule.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, multi-tasking, and communication skills.
Qualifications: BA in Human Resources with 2 years of Experience
2. Experience and Requirements for Employment Specialist Cover Letter
- Knowledge of Employment/Recruitment practices and Federal/State employment laws and regulations
- Knowledge of applicant tracking systems
- Strong computer/technology proficiency including Microsoft Office applications
- Proven problem-solving, and analytical skills, and the ability to approach complex problems logically and systematically
- Outstanding attention to detail and follow-through skills
- Strong organization and prioritization skills
- Experience dealing with confidential information and ability to maintain confidentiality
- Demonstrated ability to engage in independent thinking, decision-making, and initiative to solve problems
- Exceptional teamwork with excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to communicate with all employees at all levels with tact and diplomacy
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision to prioritize and complete tasks while working under deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to take the initiative with results and a customer-focused attitude
- System experience in Banner and PeopleAdmin
Qualifications: BS in Sociology with 3 years of Experience
3. Skills, Knowledge, and Experience for Employment Specialist Cover Letter
- Experience working with adults with severe mental illness, individuals struggling with substance abuse, criminal records, disabilities and other barriers to employment.
- Experience with case management, employment services and/or job placement, job training.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills and counseling skills.
- Ability to engage outside of the office to create and maintain relationships with community employers.
- Ability to motivate clients and advocate for them with team members and employers.
- Outgoing, optimistic, and energetic personality as well as high empathy and compassion.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to access to reliable transportation and the ability to walk up and down stairs.
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen.
- Proficiency in working with Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to successfully navigate through the Internet, excel, powerpoint, and other applicable software.
- Skill to communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.
- Skill to coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.
Qualifications: BA in Psychology with 2 years of Experience
4. Requirements and Experience for Employment Specialist Cover Letter
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Ability to work well within a team
- Strong interpersonal, verbal and written skills
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely
- Strong level of skill within the MS Office Suite
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written oral form or via DRH applications
- Good organizational and time management skills
- Provide attention to detail and manage multiple responsibilities
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, and professionalism, and use appropriate discretion.
- Proficiency with various computer programs and willingness and ability to learn new ones.
- Fluent in Spanish
Qualifications: BS in Business Administration with 2 years of Experience
5. Education and Experience for Employment Specialist Cover Letter
- Experience with successful job development and client placement.
- Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP), RCSS or Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP) designation or eligible for one of these designations
- Superior writing skills, excellent verbal and communication skills
- Good problem-solving and organizational skills
- Able to exercise good judgment.
- Ability to manage a varied caseload.
- Able to negotiate agreements and contracts with employers
- Organized and able to work with diverse groups.
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as in a team.
- Professional and able to work with confidential material.
- A flexible and creative individual, able to adapt quickly to the changing needs of a new program.
- Experience in the Warehousing Related occupations
Qualifications: BA in Social Work with 3 years of Experience