Employment Specialist

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $23.76 - $26.14 per hour

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Homelessness is a public health, social and racial justice issue!

Since 1984, St. Francis House has committed itself to healing the wounds of those impacted by an inequitable society and breaking down the barriers, including systemic racism that prevent all people from living lives of dignity.

St. Francis House is the State’s largest provider of day services supporting people who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness. Located in the heart of downtown Boston, we compassionately welcome nearly 500+ adults through our doors every day who are seeking a safe and dignified refuge and opportunities to rebuild their lives. Our holistic approach allows us to deepen our impact by offering integrated programing that helps our guests achieve stability in the areas of housing, income, and behavioral health. Joining our team would provide you a dynamic opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team of providers dedicated to solving this public health crisis.

We offer an extensive Benefits package! Up to 90% of individual insurance premiums paid for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care health insurance & Altus dental insurance, 4 weeks of vacation and 13 holidays recognized per year, employer – paid life & disability insurance, a vested 403b retirement with 5% match, and much more!

Job Summary:

As part of our comprehensive Workforce Development Department, the Employment Specialist provides individual services and proactively engages with individuals experiencing homelessness as part of an overall strategy for maximizing income and securing/ sustaining permanent housing. As part of SFH integrated services, the Employment Specialist works collaboratively and holistically to stabilize individuals in income, housing, and behavioral health.

Essential Duties:

• Engages individuals experiencing homelessness, promotes earned income opportunities, and provides employment services or connects individuals to other services within the workforce development department, including referrals to MassHire. 
• Works collaboratively with guests on caseloads to create individualized employment plans with identifiable wraparound resources that support participants in achieving income stability. 
• Provides coaching in effective job search techniques, including developing resumes and cover letters that accurately portray each individual’s work experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. 
• Assists participants in identifying employment opportunities and provides job placement assistance. 
• Conducts housing pathway assessments to align income-maximization needs with the individual’s identified housing pathway and supports individuals in making progress toward that pathway. 
• Provides guidance to help participants identify behaviors that may create barriers to obtaining or advancing in employment and provides direct support or referrals to appropriate resources to address identified barriers. 
• Ensures participants have a realistic and supportive plan in place for a smooth transition to employment. 
• Collaborates with internal and external resources to support participants’ ability to exit homelessness and achieve housing stabilization goals. 
• Meets with participants in a variety of settings, including SFH, virtually/electronically, and at other shelter or community sites. 
• Maintains accurate records of work with participants in all required databases, including but not limited to referrals made, services provided, progress toward goals, and contract-specific details. 
• Self-monitors performance to ensure measurable progress with participants and adherence to contract requirements, departmental goals, and agency-wide outcomes. 
• Adheres to agency code of conduct. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Proficiency in English.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic understanding of and commitment to taking a person-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approach.
• Proven ability to engage and support vulnerable individuals as well as motivate and guide them towards planning for and fulfilling short and long-term goals.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bilingual (Spanish) a plus. 

Education & Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Higher education in human services, counseling, or related field, preferred. 
• Experience providing case management services, employment, career counseling, job training or other workforce development related services, preferred.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations required.   
• Lived experience of homelessness and/or recovery a plus. 

Work Environment & Activity

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Some off site work required.. 

If you are ready to make a lasting impact in the lives of others, please complete our application process.

SFH is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fair and equitable employment practices and to fostering a workplace where all employees are respected, supported, and able to grow. In support of our mission, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including those with lived experience of homelessness or recovery and those who have faced barriers to employment. We value the range of experiences and perspectives that strengthen our work in the community.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these duties. 

This job description is subject to change and does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.