Position:  Employment Training Specialist
Location:  Alcott
Kalamazoo , MI
Job Id:  341
# of Openings:  1
WHY WORK FOR GOODWILL?
 
Ready for a career with impact? Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan (Goodwill SWMI) gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your local community while building your professional skills. Goodwill SWMI is a complex enterprise offering a wide range of career opportunities. Our organization rewards creativity and innovation, while offering competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package. Our team members enjoy a unique work environment that is professional, fast paced and fulfilling.
 
ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION
 
Goodwill SWMI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Our nearly 300 dedicated team members help achieve our mission of improving the community by providing employment, education, training and support services tailored to individual needs across a six county territory. At Goodwill SWMI, the work we do makes a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve and, in turn, in the communities in which we live.
Goodwill SWMI manages ten retail stores (with attached, attended donation centers and one stand-alone donation center), Contract Manufacturing Operations as well as Custodial & Janitorial business units. These business operations provide stability to our organization that is not always enjoyed by nonprofit organizations solely funded by outside sources.
Our organization’s values shape our culture and guide our interactions with program participants, customers, community and one another. Our shared commitment to Living the Mission; Promoting Teamwork; Driving Collaboration; Taking Responsibility for our Actions and Behaviors; Respecting and Appreciating Others is what makes us successful and inspires all that we do.
Want to learn more about Goodwill SWMI? Go to our website at: www.goodwillswmi.org
 
 
 JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Classification: Supervised By: Supervises:

 
Employment Training Specialist
Non-Exempt/Hourly
Vice President of Mission Services 

May be responsible for coordinating and supervising activities of participants, interns, work study students or volunteers assigned to Siemer or Employment programs

**NOTE-Grants support this position. This position's establishment and continuance may be dependent upon on-going grant funding                            .
 

General Responsibilities:

 
The Employment Training Specialist will be responsible for understanding the needs and wants of community employers to place vocational rehabilitation participants in permanent, competitive positions that satisfy the needs of both the employer and participant.  They will represent our Mission Services team with community employers and be a main point of contact for community employers wishing to work with Goodwill’s placement team.
 
The Employment Training Specialist will work with the Mission Services participants to identify and obtain placements for participants.  In addition to establishing and maintaining these employer relationships, The Employment Training Specialist will be responsible for assisting a caseload of participants in preparing for employment as well as assisting with facility-based activities, job coaching, vocational evaluations, job carving and/or employer support as needed. 
 
The Employment Training Specialist will gather quantitative, qualitative and observational data to help participants navigate goal setting and future planning, making recommendations for career paths, training and learning plans for participants across our territory (Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph & Van Buren counties) .They teach classes to help participants learn more about essential (soft) skills, online presence (social media), self-advocacy at work and more.
 
The Employment Training Specialist will work with a variety of participants, including individuals with disabilities, individuals experiencing poverty, in school individuals (high school and post-secondary) and all other individuals participating in work readiness activities across our territory.
 
Key Performance Indicators for the position include:
  • #  of participants obtaining employment
  • Average wage of participants placed
  • % growth in Vocational Rehabilitation referrals (e.g. job placement services, work readiness training, etc.
  • Financial metrics; budget
  • Participant satisfaction
 
 
The Employment Specialist is an essential part of developing and fully implementing the Mission Services programming across southwestern Michigan. The ideal candidate is outgoing, energetic, believes in continuous improvement and is ready to help build and develop transformational programming in our six counties.
 
Essential functions include (but are not limited to):
 
  1. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with area employers, Goodwill teammates, participants, community partners and education institutions; work together to strengthen existing programming and identify opportunities for new endeavors.
  2. Provide employment services, such as resume creation, interview assistance, mock interviewing or other employment preparation skills to a caseload of participants seeking work.  Assist these participants in adjusting to jobs, including identifying and facilitating the integration of natural workplace supports; provide job coaching/advocate for job carving as needed. 
  3. Work with vocational rehabilitation (VR) participants who are exploring work through vocational evaluations, on the job evaluations (OJEs), work experiences or class/group-based activities.
  4. Create reports summarizing evaluative data for participants and/or community partners; use reports with participants to help inform and establish participant led program/personal goals; create/maintain report templates!
  5. Assist with grants as needed, including providing content, data or reviewing
narrative.
  1. Keep up to date, accurate, comprehensive digital and paper files; enter all data
within seven days of service provision (e.g. into Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), Cognito, etc.)
  1. Perform other duties as assigned.
 
Required Knowledge. Skills and Abilities
 
  1. 1-2 year of experience in job development, job placement or a closely related field.
  2. Prior experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness preferred.
  3. Possess in-depth understanding of the culture of poverty
  4. Ability to build positive ongoing relationships with employers, Goodwill teammates, adults, youth, and community partners.
  5. Excellent professional presentation skills and appearance
  6. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook) or comparable software
  7. Demonstrated interest in and belief in people's abilities to make changes based
on their own inherent strengths, talents and desires
  1. Ability to work independently but also as a member of a collaborative team
  2. Ability to make independent objective decisions
  3. Possess superior organizational, clerical and communication skills
  4. Previous case management experience preferred
  5. Data collection and program development experience preferred
 
Education
 
High School Diploma/GED required; Bachelor's degree preferred, preferably (but not limited to) social work, psychology, child development, education or human services
 
Physical Requirements
 
General office environment. Regular local travel for meetings across southwestern Michigan (Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph & Van Buren counties). Must possess valid driver's license and be eligible for insurance under Agency's commercial liability policy. Special accommodations can be made with President/CEO and HR Director's approval.
 
Other
 
Candidate must pass a pre-employment drug screen and a criminal background check related to safety and welfare of children and families.
 
I have read and understand the qualifications and specifications of the job and agree to perform these duties and others as assigned.
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Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan