General Summary:

The Retention Specialist is responsible for completing registrations, assessments, individual employment plans, providing appropriate internal and external referrals, delivering employment preparation and retention services to clients that meet the funder's eligibility requirements, to enhance their focus in reaching employment benchmarks of 30, 90, 180 and 365 days. Retention Specialist maintain client engagement once enrolled, to ensure clients remain engaged and facilitate groups centered in pre-employment groups. Retention Specialist provide services appropriate to the client's service. Support Employment Pathway requires troubleshooting, critical thinking and problem solving to clients whose overall assessment for employment is vulnerable to high risk for employment, recidivism, low-skilled and have no-to little work history. Job Ready Transitional Employment Pathway and Job Ready Permanent Pathway whose overall assessment for employment is moderate to thriving, requires the shaping of career paths and working to implement those plans with clients who have one year or more of work experience. The Retention Specialist will report to the Employment Retention Manager. The funding for the Retention Specialist comes from the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Department of Family Supportive Services. These required outcomes are determined by the Standard Operating procedures of both funding sources and the Safer Foundation as applicable.

Performance Results Description

The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.

Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity and Evidence Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interface and Service:

• Conducts contacts, registrations, and assesses clients' needs and barriers to employment.
• Identify client's suitability and eligibility for services and convey results to client.
• Execute the processes of the (ASCEND) Model as prescribed assessing readiness for employment utilizing Motivational Interviewing.
• Facilitate pre-employment peer group that support job search activities for clients seeking as well as retention activities for clients employed with a view to advancement.
• Maintain client engagement following a job start through a variety of means: phone calls, text, email, teams, accession, or social media.
• Work one-on-one with clients to address issues that arise during the program that threaten employability and refer to appropriate services as needed.
• Complete special projects along with routine expectations when it is required.

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment:

• Represent Safer at outreach events.

Tracking, Document, and Reporting:

• Maintain ongoing audit ready case files.
• Maintain relevant and timely data entry in Salesforce (Birdseye) and ECM database systems daily and/or reports as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to write and communicate clearly and effectively present information in individual, small and large group settings.
• Knowledge of the employment barriers people with criminal records.
• Practical and critical thinking skills for servicing challenging and/or resistant clients.
• Proficiency in word, excel and power point.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline or a minimum of 2yrs experience is preferred.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance – Care for you and eligible family members
  • Choice of two (2) Medical Plan options from BlueCross BlueShield
  • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
• Dental Insurance – Offered by BCBS
  • Individual coverage 100% paid by Safer!
    • Eligible family coverage available
• Vision – “See” how Safer cares for your eye health
  • Low-cost co-pays for in-network exam, frames & contacts

• Life Insurance – Protection for you & your family
  • Basic Life (equal to 1.5 times your salary.)
  • 100% paid by Safer!

• 403b Retirement Plan – Helping you save for retirement
  • Generous Company match to help you save more!

• Vacation & Holidays – Refresh, rewind, & enjoy at Safer!
  • Vacation days (non-manager)
  • Company Holidays (2025); more than industry standard
  • Paid Leave Days
    
    
• Other Benefits & Perks -adding value to You!
  • Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
  • Benefits such as Pet Insurance, Critical Illness, & Travel

Safer Foundation is a drug-free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Minorities/Females/Veterans

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