Employment Support Specialist

Department: Family Resources

Classification: Non-Exempt

ROP: $37.07 hourly (equivalent to $77,105.60 annually)

Location: Bonita, CA

About CDA:

Child Development Associates, Inc. (CDA) is a community based, multiservice non-profit agency with over 300 employees dedicated to creating positive change in our local community. We believe that all families deserve equal access to supportive services that will promote children’s healthy development and future success.

Purpose:

Under general supervision, the Employment Support Specialist provides employment coaching, workshops, and workforce resources to support CDA families in achieving employment and career goals.

Position Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, education, or business; 2-3 years of relevant experience in career coaching, case management, or job development. Experience developing and facilitating workshops, collaborating with community partners, and supporting individuals in achieving employment and career goals preferred.

Summary of Responsibilities:

1. Maintain a small caseload of CDA families and provide individualized employment coaching to help participants identify employment goals, explore career opportunities, develop customized job search plans, and work toward achieving employment and career goals.
2. Cultivate and maintain relationships with local businesses, workforce organizations, and community partners to identify job leads, employment opportunities, and resources that support participant employment goals. 
3. Develop and facilitate employment and work readiness workshops on topics including resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, job search strategies, workplace readiness, career exploration, and other employment-related topics.  
4. Assist participants with employment readiness activities, including job searches, employment applications, resume development, interview preparation, career advancement planning, and connections to education, training, and workforce resources.
5. Track participant progress, maintain accurate program records, document employment coaching services and outcomes, and adjust employment strategies based on participant needs and goals
6. Represent the CDA at local meetings, job fairs, collaborative meetings, and community events to promote workforce initiatives and develop employment related resources and partnerships.
7. Support the Pathways to Positive Change program by providing specialized employment services and resources to participants working toward employment and career goals.
8. Develop, coordinate, and facilitate the Pathways Employment & Career Cohort in collaboration with Pathways staff, community partners, and subject matter experts.
9. Collaborate with Pathways Coaches and the Pathways Team Lead to coordinate employment-related services, resources, referrals, and participant support.
10. Track and document employment-related services, participant engagement, progress, and outcomes for Pathways participants in accordance with established program requirements and data collection procedures.
11. Develop employment-related tools, resources, workshop materials, and community partnerships to strengthen employment services available to CDA families and Pathways participants.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities: 

1. Contribute to team effectiveness and success by completing various other assignments, projects, reports, as needed.
2. Participate in staff training, program planning, case consultation, and program evaluation activities related to employment and career services.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, mission-focus, and a commitment to supporting families in achieving employment and career goals; able to create and maintain positive working relationships with participants, employers, community partners, and staff; function as a role model by creating an environment that is sensitive to the diverse socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic needs of the families CDA serves; provide encouragement, motivation, and an optimistic outlook; ability to remain calm and effectively manage challenging situations; communicate clearly and maintain a positive flow of communication with participants, community partners, peers, supervisors, and others within the agency.

Maintain confidentiality; use tact, diplomacy, and discretion when working with participants, employers, staff, and community partners; adapt to new situations, policies, procedures, and program requirements.

Accountable, organized, and able to prioritize; able to follow, interpret, and apply organizational policies, program procedures, funding requirements, and applicable regulations; able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Must be able to independently and successfully manage an assigned caseload; coordinate employment coaching activities, maintain accurate participant documentation, evaluate participant progress, and adjust employment strategies to support successful outcomes.

Able to work independently, initiate and manage projects, priorities, workshops, and community partnerships; be dependable, reliable, resourceful, and adaptable; possess strong problem-solving, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills; able to develop and facilitate engaging workshops and presentations for small and large groups.

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, databases, virtual meeting platforms, and other technology required to maintain records, develop presentations, facilitate workshops, and fulfill job responsibilities.

Work Schedule

Full-time, Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week, typically 8:30 am to 5:00pm. May require evening and weekend hours based on the needs of the program. 

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule of up to twenty-four (24) hours remote and sixteen (16) hours in-office per week following the successful completion of training. Please note that remote work is not guaranteed and may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time based on business and operational needs. In-person attendance may be required for trainings, meetings, or other agency-related purposes.

 Benefits:

• Medical | Dental | Vision - 80% paid by the employer in the first year, and 100% thereafter
• Ongoing Training and Staff Development opportunities
• Flexible Spending Account
• Legal Service Plans Available
• Paid Holidays, Sick Pay, and Vacation Time
• Additional Vacation Days – Earn up to 5 bonus days after 3 years, and up to 15 bonus days after 10 years.
• Long-Term Disability
• Group and Voluntary Life Insurance Plan
• Annual Employer Contribution Plan and Employee 401(k) Contribution
• Employee Assistance Program