Position: Outreach and Retention Specialist, SkillSpring/DYCD
Location: Multiple Sites (Five Boroughs of New York City)
Reports To: Program Director (DYCD)
About SkillSpring:
SkillSpring, a workforce development program of The New Jewish Home, has supported New York City youth and young adults from under-resourced schools and communities in pursuing careers in health care since 2006. By training the next generation of high-quality, culturally competent health care professionals, SkillSpring generates excitement and enthusiasm for careers serving older adults.
Position Overview:
SkillSpring is seeking an Outreach and Retention Specialist to manage recruitment and retention efforts for our youth and young adult development programs. The Outreach and Retention Specialist will oversee participants in our programs including HHA and CNA certifications, focus on participants mental health, well-being, self –management and other supportive services needs of participants through small groups and one-on-one sessions as needed. This full-time role requires flexibility in working mornings, evenings, and Saturdays at multiple sites, with hours, days, and locations varying based on seasonal changes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with key strategic partners in education, career development, intergenerational programming, and youth development to ensure student/participant enrollment and retention.
- Focus on participant recruitment.
- Support case managers with program retention.
- Responsible for forging relationships with participants and encouraging their continuation in program.
- Continual follow-up with program participants throughout all phases of program.
- Provide one-on-one employment case management and job search support, helping participants to set employment goals, create action plans and track progress towards meeting their individual goals.
- Facilitate and coordinate internal job readiness training program – 12 weeks long, 5-6 times per year, and coordinate 4-10 week internship placements for participants.
- Coordinate and facilitate monthly check-in for young adults and alumni seeking to grow in self-efficacy and employability.
- Foster relationships with internal New Jewish Home partners, government agencies and community-based organizations to facilitate young adult employment.
- Establish and maintain external collaborations with individuals and businesses to develop employment/retention opportunities for young adults.· Maintain database/inventory of employment, training, and internship opportunities.
- Work with program staff by scheduling, monitoring, tracking and reporting on all participant programming including but not limited to attendance and surveys.
- Ensure that all participants sign in and sign out, on a daily basis.
- Assess student’s program participation and attendance for continued program enrollment.
- Conduct training activities
- Create an environment that is diverse, culturally sensitive and relevant to the needs of young adults.
- Actively participate in staff training sessions and special events
- Ensure accurate collection, analysis, and management of data for internal and external reporting, improving mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency.
- Develop and enhance tools to support SkillSpring in generating employment and economic opportunities, including communications collateral, reporting templates, policies, and protocols.
- Adherence to all WIOA contract regulations.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Trauma-Informed training and skills, preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience.
- Experience working with youth from underserved communities.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, and travel to various locations in the Tri-State area.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work required
- Passion for working with youth and young adults
- Familiarity with healthcare career trajectories
- Experience developing new roles or new initiatives
Specialized Skills and Competencies:
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated experience working with high-need/underserved high school students and young adults.
- Self-directed with the ability to work independently.
- Strong presentation skills, with the ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to lead innovative and meaningful programming that resonates with participants.
- Strong organizational and computer skills.
- Proven ability to apply independent judgment in planning, prioritizing, and organizing multiple tasks with attention to detail and time management.
- Flexibility and adaptability are essential.
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholder relationships.
Physical Demands:
- The role requires normal mental and visual attention, along with manual coordination.
- Work is performed in lighted, heated, and ventilated areas, with occasional interruptions to workflow.
- Duties involve regular periods of sitting, standing, or walking and the ability to work at a computer for sustained periods.
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Travel to all TNJH campuses and program sites is required.
Compensation and Benefits:
The New Jewish Home provides a competitive salary range, and the actual salary will depend on factors such as experience, education, and organizational need. Our benefits package includes:
- Medical, Dental, and Supplemental Vision plans
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Vacation, Holiday, and Sick leave
- Short & Long Term Disability insurance
- Basic Life & Accidental Death Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Health Care, Commuter, and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Access to a portion of your paycheck before payday through our partnership with RAIN