WORK THAT MATTERS. Want to make a real difference in the lives of local families striving to create a brighter future for themselves and their children? Southern NH Services is looking for a dynamic Program Specialist to join the NHEP Workplace Success Team. Working within a successful workforce development program, and utilizing an extensive and powerful curriculum, you will assist TANF recipients with career planning, job search, vocational skills, and much more. Additionally, connecting with area employers, you will develop both Work Experience and On-the-Job Training opportunities for participants. Strong customer service and communications skills are a must. Based in Manchester, NH with statewide coverage. Reliable transportation required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Full-time position offering $18.58/Hour DOE with health & dental insurance, mileage reimbursement, and other benefits.
JOB SUMMARY:
The NHEP Workplace Success (WPS) Program Specialist will provide job search assistance, job readiness instruction, embedded training, and basic vocational skills through group and individualized instruction using traditional and technology-based tools. Additionally, the Specialist will develop and coordinate Work Experience (WEP) and On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunities for TANF public assistance recipients with area for-profit and non-profit employers consistent with the job goals in the participant’s Career Plan. In this multi-function capacity, the WPS Program Specialist will provide coverage as assigned for WPS Coordinators and Community Job Specialists at WPS Career Centers.
SUPERVISION:
Received: Works under the direction of the SNHS WPS Regional Program Manager.
Exercised: None.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university in social work, psychology, counseling, education or business administration or a related field.
EXPERIENCE: Minimum of two (2) years of professional work experience in counseling, teaching, social services or business involving career counseling, employee development, social work or human resources. Experience developing and providing individual or group instruction to adult learners using traditional and technology-based techniques. Experience in assisting individuals in finding employment, knowledge of the principles and methods of assessment and career counseling; experience or an ability to demonstrate an understanding of working with low-income populations or hard-to-serve individuals (e.g., limited English Speaking, learning disabled); experience with and/or a strong familiarity with local and statewide educational and social services; experience in or an ability to demonstrate skills in job development and public relations with employers, and.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Possession of a valid New Hampshire driver's license and/or have access to transportation for program-related travel.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMEDED WORK TRAITS: Willingness to work creatively with participants to meet their needs and help them resolve their barriers. Ability to motivate and energize individuals to work towards employment goals. Ability to evaluate personal characteristics, physical capabilities, education, work background, abilities and interests of clients. Ability to actively engage local employers & community-based organizations in providing work opportunities for adult job seekers. Knowledge of and/or experience with the barriers and issues that affect low income families. Knowledge of a variety of occupations and industries in the area. Knowledge of State & community education and social service agencies. Possess a high degree of organization and creativity. Ability to apply DHHS procedures, rules and regulations. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with program clients, employers, co-workers agency Partner staff, and the general public. Ability to work as a team. Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task in a dynamic work setting. Knowledge of common business computer software such as e-mail, PowerPoint, Internet, and word-processing; comfortable learning and employing new technologies. Must maintain professional appearance and behavior at all times as a positive role model to WPS participants.
WPS CAREER CENTER RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Teach/facilitate classes in job readiness, job search, job skills training directly related to employment, and prepare participants for Alternative Work Experience (AWEP), Community Work Experiences (CWEP), and On-the-Job Training (OJT) activities by using a variety of traditional and modern teaching and communication techniques, including computer-based learning software, video conferencing, and webinar presentation.
2. Identify and develop short-term on-site and off-site WEP opportunities (Service Bureau) in fields such as health, social service, environmental protections, education, urban and rural development, welfare, recreation, public safety and child care, in collaboration with local non-profit agencies, faith-based organizations, local government entities or other community agencies. Work assignment examples include computer projects, mailings, clerical support, data entry, customer service calls, and many other service projects to benefit the community. Structured training includes customer service skills, telephone skills, business writing skills, and workplace survival skills.
3. Adhere to NHEP WPS policy and procedures; achieve quantitative performance goals, and deliver quality customer services regarding:
a. Daily WPS Orientation of participants entering the program;
b. Providing a vocational assessment for each NHEP participant and preparing a summary of the assessment results to be provided to the NHEP Employment Counselor Specialist (ECS);
c. Collecting baseline data on participants’ skill level;
d. Obtain, execute, and deliver structured programs, embedded activities and community services projects, monitor participant attendance and inform the NHEP ECS on a daily basis of any NHEP participant attendance issues or absences;
e. Coordination & supervision of the on-site and off-site Service Bureau opportunities;
f. Monitoring participant attendance and informing the NHEP Employment Counselor Specialist of any client attendance issues;
g. Facilitating participants’ engagement with the use of other community resources, while assisting participants in resolving obstacles to participation that may arise during his/her attendance in the WPS;
h. Accurate tracking and verifying individual NHEP participant participation in program, and providing verification documentation to the NHEP ECS, preparing and providing to the NHEP ECS weekly individual participant progress reports that include written observations of the participant’s performance, a summary of the participant’s progress in the program, and recommendations for subsequent NHEP activities appropriate for the participant;
i. Communication with the NHEP Employment Counselor to address any client barriers to employment requiring support services and/or to address any remedial action or sanctions needed to cure client behavior or performance issues in the WPS;
j. Review of client evaluations to improve effectiveness of WPS activities;
k. Assistance to the NHEP Employment Counselor in preparing the client for transition into Work Experience Placement (WEP) or other countable NHEP work activities to ensure continued client engagement toward meeting federal work participation requirements; and
l. Coordination with Community Job Specialist to review Orientation assessment materials, to develop a pertinent Work Activity Plan with the participant, and to select an appropriate Work Experience Program host site.
4. Assist as needed in the coordination of services between the NHEP Local Teams and the WPS.
WORK EXPERIENCE & OJT RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Identifies, develops, and markets OJT and WEP opportunities in local non-profit agencies, faith-based organizations, local government entities, and other business and industry entities to develop work experience host sites.
2. Develops partially subsidized On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunities with private and public sector employers to provide clients with job-specific skills training resulting in full-time (30 hours or more per week) unsubsidized employment. OJTs may be linked with other group-based or individual occupational or technical training funded by NHEP, WIOA, or other funding source.
3. Adheres to Work Experience Program (WEP) and OJT policy and procedures; achieves quantitative performance goals, and delivers quality customer services regarding:
a) Participation and/or presentation of the work skills training/work experience program orientations. Work with the CSP Coordinators in assessing NHEP participant skills and interests and assist NHEP participants in selecting and securing appropriate work experience placement.
b) Working with the CSP Coordinators in assessing NHEP participant skills and interests and assist NHEP participants in selecting and securing appropriate work experience or OJT placements.
c) Marketing of the Work Experience Program to local non-profit agencies, faith-based organizations, and local government entities to engage as NHEP work experience host sites.
d) Marketing and delivering the OJT program to local businesses in demand occupational areas in coordination with the Statewide OJT Developer.
e) Execution of WEP or OJT Agreements between NHEP participants and host sites, arrange NHEP participant interviews with OJT/WEP host sites, provide NHEP participant orientation to OJT/WEP host sites.
f) Arranging interviews with WEP host sites or OJT employers for NHEP participants.
g) Monitoring NHEP participant progress at OJT/WEP, providing job coaching and arrange workplace mentoring for NHEP participants at the OJT/WEP host site, mediate and provide problem resolution to remedy issues experienced by the OJT/WEP host and/or the NHEP participant.
h) Communication with the NHEP Employment Counselor to address any client barriers requiring support services and to address any remedial action or sanctions needed to cure client behavior or performance issues experienced by the host site employer.
i) Collecting and submitting weekly to the NHEP ECS the participants’ work verification documentation, collect and review work experience host site evaluations at prescribed intervals to assess participant progress and to determine the appropriateness of extending the WEP agreement at the same site.
j) Reviewing final host site evaluations to assure effective WEP or OJT client match to the host site in the future and to determine the appropriateness of continuing the host site for future NHEP participant referrals.
k) Providing assistance as needed to the NHEP ECS in preparing the client to transition from WEP to OJT or into other countable NHEP work activities.
l) Maintaining active WEP host site placement reports on a weekly and monthly basis, discuss career interests with NHEP participant in order to provide an appropriate and meaningful WEP or OJT placement, and other duties assigned by the WPS Regional Manager.
4. Assist the Statewide OJT Developer or ECS as needed in the coordination of services between the NHEP Local Teams and the WEP host site or OJT employer.
5. As appropriate, mediate and resolve differences or conflicts between the TANF clients and the WEP host or OJT work site;
OTHER GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Attend staff training sessions as requested by the SNHS NHEP Administrator and/or DFA management.
2. Attend regular meetings with the local NHEP team and local partner meetings.
3. Prepare required weekly and/or monthly reports and other ad hoc program reports as requested in a timely and accurate fashion. Enter participant activity and outcome data in the established WPS Activity Reports consistent with required Report Instructions and other official releases.
4. Complete written casework documentation for participants as prescribed.
5. Prepare Community Action Agency (CAP) time sheets and staff mileage sheets as required in each payroll period.
6. Provide full coverage for and/or additional support to WPS Coordinators and/or Community Job Specialists in other locations as assigned by the WPS Regional Program Manager.
7. Adhere to the Division of Family Assistance & Community Action Code of Ethics.
8. Be knowledgeable about eligibility requirements for Community Action Agency workforce development programs, such as the Workforce Investment Act (WIOA), as well as other key local CAP programs.
9. Maintain close coordination with CAP and NHEP Partner Agency local program staff. Gain knowledge about local CAP programs and services in the area such as Head Start, WIC, and Fuel/Energy Assistance and facilitate the cross-training of NHEP Team members regarding CAP programs to benefit NHEP clients.
10. Present a professional and positive image as a representative of CAP at all times and promote a positive, team-based working relationship with Field Support Managers and DFA Administrators.
11. Perform all other duties assigned by the SNHS WPS Regional Program Manager, NHEP Administrator, and/or local CAP supervisor.
Southern New Hampshire Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer
