Job Title: Business Service Representative

Reports to: Business Service Representative Manager

Send resume to agranados@il.sercohq.com

Position Classification: Non-Exempt

Primary Summary: Scaling Community Violence Intervention (CVI) for a Safer Chicago (SC2) is an expanding network of donors, anti-violence practitioners, and community stakeholders dedicated to enhancing CVI in the neighborhoods of Chicago most affected by violence. SER is proud to partner with six local community-based organizations- Led by New Life Centers, along with Enlace, Hope Culture, Erie House, Universidad Popular, and Beyond the Ball, working under the Pathways to Peace initiative. Together, we are committed to making a meaningful impact in our community by serving 75% of the highest-risk individuals in the area over the next five years. This position will work with a team that will be collaborating with a diverse team that encompasses street outreach, case management, education, employment, and behavioral health services.

Responsible Summary: Will be responsible for assessing applicants' abilities, qualifications, and skill development needs. Collaborate with employers and clients to identify talent requirements and refer suitable applicants for job openings or work-based learning opportunities. Work with the manager in obtaining training on effectively implementing workforce development services.

Essential Job Functions:

• Delivering exceptional customer service in a results-driven role as a business service representative to build and foster strong relationships with employer partners. This effort aims to assist individuals facing employment barriers, including criminal backgrounds, limited mobility, low skill levels, minimal educational attainment, and those experiencing trauma or other challenges, in successfully securing job placements.
• Responsibilities will include providing workforce development and preparation to identified individuals to aid in obtaining employment and training staff to administer such services.
• Participants will receive stipend payments for participating in programming. The BSR will adhere to stipend guidelines and submit the required paperwork on time to the BSR Manager.
• Required to engage effectively with project partners and collaborate to address challenges and staff.
• Responsible for following data tracking requirements, meeting documentation deadlines, and working with the manager to submit all finance information by established deadlines.
• Attends all training and orientations with partners and funders and participates in regular meetings with internal team and collaborators.
• Responsible for implementing communicated project information effectively with participants.
• The role required prompt responses to requests from the program director, program coordinator, data and IT specialist, and finance manager.
• Actively engage all relevant operational units to successfully respond to employers' and job seekers' needs, staff, the team, centers, and the broader workforce system and Pathways to Peace partners.
• Conduct outreach to new and existing assigned employers and job seekers to discuss their needs and explain how our products and services can address them. Identify business customer needs and develop company-based solutions. Develop and present proposals for collaboration with business firms. Involve appropriate company resources throughout the consultative and service cycle.
• Collaborate with employers to create and validate job orders, ensuring that minimum qualification criteria are reviewed and recruitment needs are effectively addressed. Ability to learn products, services, and procedures of workforce partnership.
• Possess a comprehensive understanding of economic development initiatives and governmental services and act as a business resource to the customer and provide ‘industry expert’ executive-level consultative services.
• Analyze activities and trends and understand industry terminology and concepts.
• Identify and evaluate applicants' skill levels by selecting appropriate assessments that align with the needs of either the job seeker or the employer.
• Refer candidates for specific skills assessments and analyze their qualifications and assessment outcomes. Work with the resources available on the sector-base team to assist jobseekers with
• Responsible for presenting a positive image of the organization and involved partners.
• Design and execute the delivery of workshops and personalized sessions focused on resume development and customization, interview skills and Mock interviews, labor market insights, and soft skills training.
• Develop a thorough understanding of essential company programs, including center activities, case management services, and workforce initiatives from The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, the City of Chicago Department of Family Support Services, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Initiatives such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Department of Human Services SNAP and TANF Job Placement, and Climate Equity Jobs Act.
• Identify and search for qualified candidates based on relevant job criteria using available resources such as existing databases, internet recruiting, cold calls, and employee referrals.
• Conduct and manage the implementation of job fairs or similar community events to aid in job placement and promote and advertise such events.
• Contact potential applicants to inform them of employment opportunities, selection criteria, job fit, and application details and refer job seekers to internal and external services or resources.
• Have a complete working knowledge of Scaling Community Violence Intervention (CVI) for a Safer Chicago (SC2) and local policies that relate to program outcomes.
• Assess individual needs and develop an individual Employment Plan that addresses the needs to be addressed before a quality job referral can be made with confidence.
• Review the IEP to sustain the customer on a path to success and quality employment.
• Assist in publicizing job openings, to include addressing civic and social groups, and disseminate information concerning possible job openings and career opportunities.
• Maintain records concerning job openings and position descriptions.
• Interview, evaluate, and rate individual job seekers on their work history, training, education, job skills, and the validity of such information.
• Select and refer qualified applicants to employers.
• Establish and maintain relationships with hiring managers to stay abreast of current and future hiring and business needs.
• Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action guidelines, and laws such as the American with Disabilities Act. (ADA)
• Conduct on the Job Training Program contracts
• Consult with managerial or supervisory personnel
• Work schedule may vary based on business needs, including occasional weekend shifts
• Other duties as assigned or needed.

Qualifications: A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management or a related field or study, or equivalent work experience is required. Experience with working with justice involve at least 1 year.

Experience: A minimum of one years experience in a field related to workforce development is strongly preferred.

Skills/Abilities: Excellent interpersonal skills. Strong computer proficiency to include: experience with databases, Excel, Word Access, Internet, E-mail, and other Microsoft programs. Be career oriented and work independently as well as part of a team—proven ability in providing services in a business-to-business environment. Utilize various online and screening/assessment tools to identify and qualify candidates. Phone screen and interviewing potential candidates. Must have excellent time management, communication skills (written and verbal), and the ability to multitask. Friendly, outgoing and professional demeanor. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast –pace work environment.

Other: Ability to learn and apply Federal and State policies as they relate to a particular program area knowledge of local community resources preferred. Bilingual preferred.

Must have a vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and adequate auto liability insurance. Must be able to travel as needed