Job Developer and Retention Specialist

JOB DEVELOPER & RETENTION SPECIALIST
 
Posted Date12/05/2019
Job ID
 2019-1473
 Category
 Youth Options Unlimited
 Grade Level
 H
 # of Hours
 35
 Salary Range
 $39,500--$49,400
Summary
boston planning & development agency

TITLE:           JOB DEVELOPER & RETENTION SPECIALIST

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:  YOUTH OPTIONS UNLIMITED (YOU Boston)/OWD

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Director of Programming, Youth Options Unlimited Boston, (YOU Boston)/Office of Workforce Development (OWD), provide private sector job placement opportunities and retention services to youth.  Ensure the professional delivery of services to all designated youth, both in the community and in juvenile and adult detention facilities preparing for re-entry in to the community.  Provide preparation for and access to private sector employment and training opportunities for YOU Boston program participants based on existing relationships with employers. Develop and foster additional employer relationships and opportunities.  Ensure that all youth have completed a professional portfolio and are prepared for entry into the private labor market. 

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The general duties and responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

Track the retention of youth participants placed in the private sector working collaboratively with direct supervisors of placed individuals. Troubleshoot any issues which arise at the workplace.  Using data available from OWD’s Planning Division, keep abreast of local labor market opportunities for this population to develop placement strategies with larger YOU Boston team.  Actively participate in the processing, supervision, and education of all YOU Boston young people involved in the Transitional Employment Services (TES) continuum of services.  Serve as a member of the larger service team for all youth; working collaboratively with all YOU Boston staff to meet individual and agency goals and mandates.

Must be able to productively communicate and establish rapport with all young people and members of the YOU Boston service team in a fast paced environment, working with young people that present with multiple barriers to employment.

Recruit large and small-sized, for profit, and not-for-profit employers willing to engage in a process to hire young adults.

Expand network of relationships with employers in the region.  Provide ongoing account management for employers. Support other initiatives as opportunities arise with the ultimate goal of increasing employer involvement in YOU Boston programming.

Identify, prepare, and place a designated number of YOU Boston program participants per month in the private sector or in training opportunities as mandated.

Plan and conduct pre-employment activities for program participants.   Work with participants one-on-one, for further development of the individual’s professional portfolio and skills including resume development, phone and email communications, and interviewing skills.

Develop relationships with local career centers, training providers and vocational programs to support placement efforts.  Utilize current labor market information to develop leads with employers in growing industries. Serve as a member of the larger YOU Boston service team for each individual.

Develop and execute effective social media strategies to recruit employers and to communicate with youth.

Adhere to all daily data input requirements and administrative tasks.

Assist with the overall management of youth payroll system in collaboration with designated YOU Boston staff.

In order to best transition youth from YOU Boston programming to private sector employment, a portion of the job developer position will be designated to provide assistance and support for any/all aspects of the transitional employment levels as deemed necessary. This can include but is it not limited to:

Recruitment and facilitation of TES Level 1.
Guidance and assistance in the training of TES II projects as well as supervisors.
Supporting components of the Level 3 program, and/or special job training initiatives.
These duties will be aimed at improving the knowledge of our youth and subsidized employment model from the perspective of the job developer.

Perform other related duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ed Qualification preferred;  Bachelor’s Degree in management, business, public relations, communications, or related field.  Must have a minimum four years of experience in employer engagement and job development with an established network of employment partners.  Experience in sales, marketing and/or public relations is valued.  Prior experience in the job placement/career placement/human resources field is also desirable.  Must have knowledge of the Boston business, non-profit, and education communities.  Requires strong project management, organizational, and presentation skills; as well as ability to communicate effectively in person as well as in writing.  Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well as part of a service team are needed.  Must have a commitment to issues of social justice and equity.  Must have the capacity to develop relationships and partnerships with private sector employers and non-profit organizations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Normal office environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Little or no exertion; local travel.

SCOPE:

May eventually provide supervision to FTE’s

**BOSTON RESIDENCY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT**