Re-Entry Employment Engagement Specialist

Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hiring Range: $54,017 - $55,000
Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Be a part of the innovative team driving economic prosperity in Durham. Our Office of Economic & Workforce Development and www.durhambusiness360.com helps ensure that Durham has a strong and diverse economy by helping commercial enterprises locate and grow, supporting entrepreneurs and their ventures, managing targeted revitalization projects and preparing the local workforce to for our businesses and industries. If you share our passion for shared economic prosperity and seek opportunities to serve and grow in your career, join our team!

The Employment Engagement Specialist will serve as the main point of contact for participants on employment related issues. This position will be included in the participant’s transition team, work closely with their case managers, and ensure accountability for career goals. Employment Engagement Specialist is the primary point of contact between staff, participants, and potential employers. This position will build a network of business relationships that support subsidized and unsubsidized employment opportunities for participants.

Essential Functions

• Works with participants to develop assigned subsidized placement, accurately completes Worksite Agreements, clearly reviews policies and process with participant and employer.
• Assists in the development and documents job duties and follows up with employer/participant surveys regularly to ensure program satisfaction and success.
• Initiate on-the job/ apprenticeship contracts, work experience assignment/internship agreements, with an emphasis on establish relationships with businesses in the targeted career pathways.
• Attend/conduct activities in the community relating to employment services and connect with employers and community organizations on a frequent basis to market and enrich the program and the success of the participants.
• Provide both job development and job coaching services intended to connect participants with employment opportunities.
• Develop relationships with employers and provide on-going support to both the employer and the participant (if and/or when issues arise).
• Enter data collected on client and employer activity in an internal and/or state system. Maintain accurate participant records, performs filing and general clerical functions. Tracks and reports on placement activities. Works with staff to identify job placement concerns and propose solutions.
• Program marketing, minimum one event/quarter (Specialized Recruitments, job fair).
• Understands of Labor Market Information, Demand Occupations, and watch for trends in employment.
• Maintains regular contact with employers to monitor employment satisfaction and to suggest refinement of requirements to better prepare participants and meet employer hiring needs.
• Develop and/or strengthen relationships with local employers, colleges, military, and social service agencies leading to fulfillment of contractual objectives.

• Associate degree OR equivalent experience.
• Three years of paraprofessional program support, logistical, and coordination experience.

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, and technical procedures.
• Experience working directly with justice - involved or justice impacted individuals.
• Ability to deal with complex problems involving multiple facets and variables in non-standardized situations.
• Experience managing and recording case management information.
• Excellent people skills and ability to build relationships. Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of participants, staff, and community. Basic knowledge and understanding of issues that affect people with barriers and disabilities.
• Strong process orientation: Detail oriented, logical, and methodological approach to problem solving.
• Two years of relevant work experience working with the targeted population.

Benefits – General Full-Time Employees

• Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
• Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
• Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
• 11-12 paid holidays per year
• 2 weeks paid military leave per year
• Short and long term disability plans
• 4 hours parental leave each year
• 12 standard work days of vacation per year
• City contribution of 10.15% into the N.C. State Retirement System
• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
• 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
• Workman's Compensation Insurance
• State and City retirement plans
• 12 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
• Paid funeral leave

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan

• State retirement plan
• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• Health Insurance