Employment Placement Specialist [Full-Time] in Pawtucket, Rhode Island at Community Resources For Justice, Inc.

Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing lives and strengthening communities through direct service, advocacy, and innovation. We operate across four core service lines:

• Community Strategies (CS): Supporting adults with developmental disabilities to live independently and thrive in their communities. Providing a range of top-quality residential and non-residential programs for men and women with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Our programs offer individual and group treatment and are geared toward promoting independence and improving life skills. Clients also receive support with job development, on-the-job coaching, and educational opportunities.
• Reentry Services (RS): Supporting people leaving incarceration to make positive, sustainable life transitions. We firmly believe that change is possible and attainable for all that we serve. With a strict focus on outcomes, the Reentry Services Division is committed to delivering contemporary and evidence-based services to the individuals in our care. Through delivering innovative programming and collaborating with community agencies, we provide hope and support to our clients as they make safe and successful transitions into their communities.
• Crime & Justice Institute (CJI): Driving bold, transformative improvements in adult and youth justice systems by working with working with local, state, and national criminal justice organizations to improve public safety and the delivery of justice. The CJI team brings decades of experience developing evidence-based, data-driven policies, managing complex processes with diverse stakeholders, and driving systems-level organizational change. Our energetic staff and network of consultants come from a variety of backgrounds.
• Family Reentry (FRE): At Family Reentry, we address the often-intertwining problems of behavioral health, domestic violence, reentry, recidivism, and risks to youth by offering evidence-based interventions to provide support and effect positive change. We offer a holistic approach by working to connect clients to basic needs and offering support to create change and increase stronger coping and life skills.

CRJ is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in all its forms and encourage candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences to apply.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and be part of the change!

Job Summary:

The Employment Placement Specialist (EPS) will report directly to the Program Director and be

responsible for assisting residents to obtain employment. The EPS will also provide guidance for job

search activities, and monitors job performance and retention.

This is a full-time, 40-hrs/week, non-exempt position that will be working in our (Houston House), Pawtucket, RI location.

This position is eligible for benefits and has a starting rate of $19/hr.

Schedule: First Shift

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Meets with new residents to obtain information on their interests, skills, employment, and educational background.

• Routinely meets with residents during their stay to monitor their job search progress and to offer additional support.

• Assists with resume writing, interviewing skills, proper dress, and general job readiness skills.   

• Maintains a shared Resource Directory of employment resources and job leads which is available to all residents including computer-based resources for employment opportunities.

• Develops and maintains relationships with potential employers, job fairs, and other employment resources, both locally and in resident release destinations.

• Approves and verifies all employment offers and maintains contact with employers after client secures employment.

• Collects and enforces client subsistence requirements and ensures all documentation pertaining to subsistence is generated and distributed as required.

• Attends necessary meetings, conferences, and training within CRJ and with outside providers.

Required Education and Experience:

• Minimum of one year of experience in guidance, counseling or job placement. Work experience can be substituted for degree in the field of guidance, counseling, or career development.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• BS/BA from an accredited college or university in Social or Behavioral Science, or related field or the equivalent preferred.

• Prefer experience with a correctional or similar population.

Travel requirements:

• Some Travel required

• Valid Driver’s License and reliable vehicle.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice based on business needs.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.