Employment Specialist Jobs

COME CREATE IMPACT WITH US
Downtown Streets Team (DST) is looking for a passionate and outgoing Employment Specialist to cover Sunnyvale and Palo Alto to help us end homelessness through the dignity of work and the power of community. We run two proven programs in 16 cities that successfully transition the unhoused to self-sufficiency.

The Nonprofit Times calls Downtown Streets Team one of the best nonprofits to work for. Our innovative model of social action has been recognized as one of five evidence-based, best-practices in California. We offer meaningful work alongside compassionate and talented colleagues as well as competitive benefits & salaries. We encourage collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning.

SUMMARY
The Employment Specialist will work directly with Team Members to navigate services and help them reduce the barriers to employment related self-sufficiency through strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills, while managing priorities and workflow. The position will travel between Sunnyvale and Palo Alto with a standing office in any of those cities depending on availability.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Establish productive relationships with each and every Team Member with no bias or prejudice towards race, religion, age, sex, disability, or sexual preference
• Track success metrics and input data into online systems such as HMIS
• Market Downtown Streets Team to the community
• Present new services and opportunities to entire Team at designated Employment Specialist section in weekly Success Team Meetings
• Maintain and develop relationships with employers resulting in pipelines for future Team Members
• Collaborate with businesses, community organizations, and volunteers to increase and improve employment prospects for Team Members
• Uphold organizational values, work ethically and with integrity and follow company policies as laid out in Handbooks
• Build partnerships with local agencies to provide emergency, transitional, and permanent housing opportunities for Team Members

• Create and deliver new Employment Development programs to enhance Downtown Streets Team’s offerings
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager and assist with special projects as required
• Help ensure that Team Members have long-term success by targeting a high retention rate (jobs held for at least 90 days)
• Help develop additional workshops to enhance empowerment and soft skills
• Develop and support long-term career goals for Team Members and track progress
• Assist Team Members in the creation of resumes and other job search collateral
• Effectively maintain established Employment Development programs
• Find creative ways to increase job opportunities
• Facilitate Job Search Skills classes, and conduct Apply-a-Thons while engaging corporate volunteers
• Represent the agency in the community and work with all partner organizations to achieve client goals

COMMUNITY SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SUNNYVALE AND PALO ALTO

• Assist individuals to secure sustainable income through employment
• Provide contractual support as it relates to housing
• Work at both locations and attend the Success Meetings for both communities on a weekly basis.
• Support Sunnyvale and Palo Alto community programs in conjunction with the city and/or county of Santa Clara

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Regional travel 60% is required
• Excellent listening comprehension, written and verbal communication skills
• Basic mathematical ability
• Using personal computer, keyboard, mouse and monitor
• Valid CDL, insurance and access to a reliable vehicle
• Observation and problem solving; hearing, seeing, reasoning and decision making
• HS Diploma or equivalent
• Experience in Microsoft programs
• Ability to perform job duties with minimal supervision

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following:

• Sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling and lifting (up to 25 lbs.)
• Driving an insured and operational vehicle to designated communities (60% or job)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Employee can be based out of any of the communities they will be serving
• Work environment and physical location may vary, depending on the space available and the needs of the community and the program.
• Moderate noise associated with an open office work environment.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Over 10 paid holidays annually
• A chance to positively impact your community on one of the biggest domestic challenges of the day
• Internal growth opportunities
• Access to Professional Development resources and reimbursement
• Paid company closure for 5 days during a summer
• 15 days off PTO, increasing with tenure
• Up to 90% employer paid medical coverage, and fully paid dental, vision and life insurance coverage for employees, with FSA and HSA health plans available
• Day off on your birthday
• Competitive nonprofit compensation
• One month paid sabbatical after 5 years, not charging PTO
• Annual company Cost of Living Increases
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401k with up to 6% company match, after one year
• Paid company closure between Christmas and New Year

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
We thrive as an organization when unique identities, experiences & perspectives are represented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

COVID
Downtown Streets Team does have a vaccination policy that requires employees to prove that they have received the COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.

WE HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER JOING US TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY.