Job Information
Educational Data Systems Inc Reentry Workforce Connector in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Scope of Position: • Deliver PA CareerLink® Philadelphia information to various community locations, physical and virtual events, job fairs, and panels, particularly those with a focus on supporting the population impacted by the criminal justice system (ie, customers returning from local, state or federal correctional institutions, probation/parole half-way houses, house arrests, or those beyond sentence). • Engage actively in the city's re-entry coalition and work in close partnership with the Office of Re-Entry Partnership on service improvements for those with criminal histories. • The Re-entry Employment Connector supports program participants in the successful transition of pre-employment services received in the Prison and Jail to services received at the PA CareerLink® Philadelphia site upon release from prison and jail. • Provide basic career services, WIOA intensive case management services, and job matching services to a targeted caseload of jobseekers within the assigned community.
Essential Functions:
- Provide job search assistance for participants in cohort-based groups, and/or 1:1 meetings, including: preparation of resumes, cover letter, applications and preparing for interviews
- Motivate, encourage, and coach reentry participants in advancing employment, training and retention goals, and provides support in resolving issues that may impede successful job placement
- Assess each individual's needs to determine basic service needs and career readiness
- Determine eligibility, enrollment and offering of WIOA intensive services, including and not limited to vocational training enrollments, On-The-Job Training referrals, and supportive services.
- Serve as liaison among the Bureau of Community Corrections, Philadelphia Department of Prisons, Adult Probation and Parole, and PA CareerLink® Philadelphia
- Work with correctional leadership, and probation and parole staff to inform, educate, and recruit eligible inmates/ reentry customers into PA CareerLink® Services.
- Refer participants to employer events, workshops and various services being offered at PA CareerLink® Philadelphia locations
- Deliver workshops on a regular basis to engage customers and prepare them with the skills they need to find jobs
- Work directly with reentry participants, Philadelphia Prisons and Jails, and PA CareerLink® Philadelphia to seamlessly transition between Prison/Jail system and PA CareerLink® Philadelphia ensuring consistent training and employment follow up service delivery
- Regular intake and case management appointments facilitated across all PA CareerLink® Philadelphia locations to provide customer centric case management to support employment opportunities upon release
- Support the use of virtual tools, including virtual workshops, PA CareerLink Online, and PHL Career Portal.
- Utilize Goal4It! Methodologies in customer interactions
- Educate customers on the criminal justice system, the impact a criminal background can have on job search and employment, and legal rights in job search and employment
- Increase awareness for which convictions create limitations within specific industries, and which career pathways are feasible with certain criminal backgrounds
- Maintain organized database of all clients served, including information on criminal history, year of conviction, and other information relevant to understanding trends of who receives re-entry services in PA CareerLink® Philadelphia's system
- Responsible for data tracking of every service provided and utilization of the state system of record, CWDS, as well as the team-wide reporting platform. Data capture is a daily responsibility.
- Implement project management skills, tools, and methods
- Demonstrate fluid approach to work and actively be part of continuous improvement
Education and Experience Requirements: • Any certifications in providing re-entry services in a workforce setti g preferred • Must have 2-3 years of experience servicing the re-entry population • Must be highly familiar with local, state, and federal laws and policies around returning citizens, including rights and employment law. • Must have experience in team-oriented environment • Ability to prioritize tasks, document visits and contacts • Model positive and professional behavior • Use language reflective of a commitment to diversity; demonstrate cultural competence • Bachelor's Degree in business, education, human resources, liberal arts or related area is preferred • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite • Must be comfortable with local travel and have access to reliable transportation