Supportive Service Specialist

About JobTrain 

JobTrain is a nonprofit organization that helps transform lives!  We train people for jobs in high-demand careers so they can achieve economic stability and get on a path to economic mobility to thrive in the Bay Area. 

Born out of the civil rights movement in 1965, JobTrain serves clients in our Bay Area career or training centers, and we continue to grow rapidly, looking to add more centers and services to meet the needs of the community.  We value an environment and workspace where our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, fostering a safe and welcoming place for our clients.  We deliver some of the best outcomes in the workforce development field, with a vision to provide our clients with the long-term support they need to achieve full economic mobility.  

We are growing, and we need your help! 

About the Department and Role 

The Supportive Services Specialist will provide support to clients by providing resource and referral counseling to clients with respect to social services and educational programs. 

Your work will be a part time 20 hour a week, hybrid role with 2-3 days in office.  Our regular hours of operations are Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. There also may be times when you will be asked to participate in evening / weekend events.  

The chosen candidate must also be able to travel to different sites as needed, within Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda Country including evenings and weekends. 

Responsibilities  

Supportive Services  

• Interview clients to assess their needs and determine their eligibility for a wide range of social services.  

• Identify and / or conduct research to identify appropriate resources to meet client needs (i.e., financial, wellness, legal, etc.).  

• Provide information / make appropriate referrals to meet client needs. 

• Gather and verify information and guide clients to complete application forms for government and other social services and submits for approval.  

• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations to provide off-site referrals.  

• Enter data in relevant database(s) accurately and in a timely fashion. This includes participant data and demographics; outreach activity; referrals; and outcomes. 

Qualifications 

We strive to find candidates who have the qualifications for the role, but who are also aligned with our values of teamwork, community and leadership and have a commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. The specific qualifications for this role are listed below.  

Experience 

Proven experience with: 

• Direct experience working with specialized populations experiencing barriers to employment (i.e.,: people experiencing homelessness, low-income/public assistance, justice engaged, long-term unemployment, mature workers, DV survivors, etc.)  

• Experience providing counseling services, ideally to adults. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Ability to manage a caseload by assessing and meeting client needs, staying organized in follow up, documentation, and reporting.  

• Excellent customer service and client rapport-building skills by maintaining and modeling a professional demeanor while efficiently performing the required job duties.  

• Communication skills, especially the ability to guide conversations and achieve employment goals effectively & efficiently. 

• Organization skills and attention to detail. 

• Critical thinking through a lens of empathy, compassion, equity, innovation & inclusion.  

• Understanding of grant funded programs, databases & reporting parameters. 

• Broad familiarity with computer software and systems (i.e.: MS Suite, spreadsheets, meeting technology, etc.) 

• Ability to work independently, autonomously and toward JobTrain’s mission  (i.e.: organization & task management, set and meet personal and professional goals, use adequate discernment).  

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.   

• Fluent Spanish is required for this role. 

How to Apply

Please visit our career page at https://www.jobtrainworks.org/employment-opportunities/ and apply online. A Resume is required, and a Cover Letter is encouraged.

COVID-19 Certification
JobTrain requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except as required by law. Therefore, any employment offer will be contingent upon satisfactory proof that you are fully immunized from COVID-19, subject to reasonable accommodations for medical or religious reasons, and/or as otherwise required by applicable law.

Compensation and Benefits

JobTrain offers a competitive salary, 401K with a 5% match after joining, EAP and emergency services, paid sick leave, retirement program employer match, long-term disability and life insurance.  We also pay employees for 10 observed holidays including a whole week off between Christmas Eve and New Years Day.

The targeted pay range for this position is $25.75 - $33.11

Additional Information

We want applicants interested in JobTrain's mission, and we encourage you to attach a cover letter explaining why you are interested in JobTrain and how your experience matches our needs.
JobTrain is an equal-opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Additionally, JobTrain does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnic background, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, different abilities, national origin, or any other protected characteristic in compliance with federal, state or local law.
Also, please note:

• We focus on local candidates and do not offer relocation benefits or immigration sponsorship.
• Successful candidates must have legal residency and work eligibility in the United States (per ICE Form I-9 instructions).
• JobTrain will require the successful candidate to undergo a background check.

Additional Information

We want applicants who are interested in JobTrain’s mission, and we encourage you to attach a cover letter to explain why you are interested in JobTrain and how your experience matches with our needs.

At JobTrain, we take the interview process very seriously. If you are selected to move through the process you should expect a couple of telephone screen calls and one or two Zoom / on-site interviews as part of the interview process.

JobTrain is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Additionally, JobTrain does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnic background, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or national origin.

Also, please note:

• Our focus is on local candidates, we do not offer relocation benefits.


• Successful candidates must have legal residency and work eligibility in the United States (per INS Form I-9 instructions).


• JobTrain will require the successful candidate to undergo a background check.