Employment Specialist III

COMPENSATION: $20.95 to $35.89 per hour depending on education/experience plus excellent benefits. This is a full-time position.
*** This position is on-site and based in our DTLA office and may require rotational shifts at Downtown Central Library***
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:
PACE is local community nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to provide job training and placement services for the Asian Pacific Islander communities in Los Angeles. PACE has since expanded into a variety of service areas, all tailored to meet the growing and changing needs of the multi-ethnic communities in Los Angeles County. Now, in addition to job training and employment services, significant PACE programs encompass: Business Development; Early Childhood Education (Head Start); Financial Education and Asset Building; Housing and Rehabilitation Services; Weatherization and Energy-conservation programs; and Affordable Housing Development. PACE serves more than 40,000 people each year with our wide scope of services with approximately 350+ staff. PACE is recognized as a leader in addressing problems of poverty and economic inequity in ethnic minority communities and has a reputation of being responsive to community needs and is known for creating innovative solutions to the myriads of challenges faced by our clients.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
PACE's Downtown/Pico Union WorkSource Center offers job seekers and employers integrated and comprehensive services including counseling, job training, and placement. PACE partners with community based organizations, government agencies, colleges, schools, unions, and employers of all sizes. PACE connects job seekers to employers /trainers and provides access to Veteran transition services, a career resource library, workshops, virtual and on-site interviews with local employers, job leads, resource referrals, counseling on welfare-to-work opportunities, and access to computers and other office equipment.

POSITION SUMMARY
We are looking for an enthusiastic and service-oriented Employment Specialist III to join our team. Under the direction of the Senior Workforce Development Specialist of the Downtown/Pico-Union WorkSource Center, the Employment Specialist III, also referred to as Workforce Development Specialist III will be responsible for providing career/job focused counseling, case management, and job development services tailored to meet the needs of customers, and directed to ensure quality long-term placements in unsubsidized employment leading to self-sufficiency. Position is mainly based at PACE's main office in downtown LA with rotational shifts operated at the Downtown Central Public Library Portal as required.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
As a key representative at the Downtown/Pico-Union Worksource Center , the Employment Specialist III is responsible for providing initial assistance to job seekers and business customers. This position will perform a range of professional duties related to the implementation of the WIOA funded program, including: directing customers, overseeing services provided at the JRC/self-service level, interacts with the public and provides customer service by phone, email and in person, prepares correspondence, reports, records and other paperwork, and ensures program databases and recordkeeping files related to the program are in order to ensure goals and standards are met
POSITION DUTIES:

• Meet with each assigned customer, and review the individual's progress from intake through job placement, exit, and post-exit 12-month follow-up. Responsible to enroll a minimum of 35% customers per year. Documentation of all contact and progress reports shall be maintained in customer's electronic and paper file and must be submitted to MIS within 3-5 days of activity.
• Provide an assessment that shall include testing and evaluation of educational attainments, occupational/transferable skills, customer interests, aptitudes, and/or vocational potentials for each customer. Documentation of all assessment results for each customer shall be maintained in customer's electronic and paper file and must be submitted to MIS within 3-5 days of activity.
• Provide career guidance to assist the individual in determining whether or not more intensive services are required to obtain employment.
• Develop, manage, and retain on file an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) for each Adult and Dislocated Worker enrolled customer receiving intensive services on a form provided by or approved by the City or Grantor. Signature page of the IEP must be submitted to MIS within 3-5 days of activity. IEP shall be entered into CalJOBS and updated as needed.
• Provide staff-assisted workshops including job search skills preparation and job club activities.
• Make follow-up services available, and monitor the retention status and progress made for not less than twelve (12) months after the first day of unsubsidized employment. Documentation of all follow-up services and progress reports shall be maintained in customer's electronic file, and submitted to MIS within 3-5 days of activity.
• Inform and provide, or arrange for the provision of, supportive services to enrolled job seekers that will enable them to participate in WIOA (Adult & Dislocated Workers) activities-subject to the availability of resources. Provide supportive services only to those customers unable to obtain supportive services through other programs providing such services.
• Provide access to job readiness preparation, individual/group counseling, career planning, out-of-area job search, relocation expenses, short-term prevocational services, work experience, and internship for all job seekers
• Assess and provide access to Training Services (i.e. On-the-Job Training & Individual Training Accounts) for enrolled customers who have received at least one intensive service, and have been determined to be unable to obtain or retain employment through such services. Documentation of all training services and progress reports shall be maintained in customer's file, and submitted to MIS within 3-5 days of activity.
• Work with Businesses to determine details outlined in OJT contract (duration of training, training outline, and reimbursement percentage).
• Provide an orientation to all OJT work site supervisors. Maintain on file a City or Grantor approved work site training agreement.
• Work with OJT supervisor to conduct and document required monthly on-site monitoring. • Conduct business outreach and recruitment, referral, preparation of customers for specific job interviews, preparation of a resume, and job application preparation. Maintain documentation of job development activities in each customer's electronic & paper file, and submitted to MIS within 3-5 days of activity.
• Use the Center's electronic connectivity system to maintain complete and accurate job orders, match job ready customers with jobs in accordance with the initial assessment, obtain prompt feedback on referrals, verify employment, and audit or minimize the use of job holding.
• Coordinate with other program activities and services to ensure timely placement of customers upon program completion. Placements shall be submitted to MIS within 3-5 days of activity.
• Provide job search and successful placement to a minimum of 70% customers per year, who are work ready via group and/or one-to-one sessions. Refer customers to an employment opportunity and assist with testing and background checks as requested, and provide other related information necessary to qualify for job openings.
• Enter/update customer (business & job seeker) information into CalJOBS system.
• Be in constant contact with businesses (via mail, fax, telephone) to acquire business information regarding current labor market demand, job openings, and relative occupational (DOT) codes (Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
• Provide occupational information (current and future outlook), job placement assistance, and labor market information using various resources such as CalJOBS, and other reference materials.
• Document all job seekers' information and tabulate meaningful information pertinent to their job placement, and maintain up-to-date records of all job openings.
• Share all job orders and job seekers with all other WorkSource Centers in order to assist in creating the best opportunity to refer the most qualified candidates from the WorkSource Center system to businesses requesting staffing assistance.
• Refer the most qualified candidates to the business from the entire WorkSource system and refer unregistered Universal Access customers if they are the most qualified.
• Assist in meeting agency's performance goal by scheduling events and recruitments at the center. • Maintain electronic Case Notes of interaction with customer in CalJOBS system on a daily basis.
• Handle other duties of various positions at the WorkSource Center, after being cross-trained.
• Assist with outreach efforts to job seeker community and businesses by attending job fairs, community events, forums, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Minimum of a High School Diploma (or GED equivalent) is required. Associate's or Bachelor's Degree is preferred. Equivalent work experience will be considered.
• Equivalent work experience, at least 2 years in the area of vocational counseling, case management, or sales & marketing. Workforce program experience is highly desirable. Some supervision experience is highly desirable.

• This position requires a person with professional experience in social services programs.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, be a team player and be able to work with diverse populations to provide in-person and over-the-phone program services.
• Ability to manage a caseload effectively per performance standards and manage time to attend trainings and related meetings. Excellent job development and placement skills.
• Excellent customer service skills

• Strong organizational skills

• Be proficient in a Windows PC environment and Microsoft Office.

• Possess excellent communication and written skills, as well as telephone and people skills.

• Must have excellent time management and organizational skills to effectively manage a caseload.

• Bilingual skills preferred

• Must be available to work evening and weekend hours as needed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must pass a employment and professional reference check

• Must possess Driver's License and the use of an automobile with adequate insurance coverage

• COVID vaccination required; must have two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna or a single-dose of Johnson & Johnson. Those that need a medical or religious exemption must reach out separately.

• Local travel may be required

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Please upload resume and complete online application

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions have been filled.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.