WFD Program Specialist
Erie Neighborhood House has provided the most comprehensive support immigrant and low-income families in Chicago need to thrive and has constantly evolved to meet their needs. Today, Erie House is a modern social service nonprofit with programming and resources for children and youth, mental health and community wellness, adult education and training, legal services, and more. Through these programs, we empower the people we work alongside to build powerful communities.
Outreach, Recruitment, & Orientation
- Develop and execute recruitment strategies to engage eligible adults in workforce programs.
- Participate in community outreach events.
- Administer skill level tests for participating adults.
- Provide a structured orientation for adults to set expectations.
- Research and conduct outreach in prime venues, events or community areas to increase enrollment into workforce bridge programs.
- Attending outreach events and job fairs to bring resources and participants to our program.
Job Readiness Training
- Case manages all the participants who are actively involved in a workforce development program including job seekers, CDBG, etc. to ensure the following: completion of postsecondary training and industry-related job placement.
- Guide participants in exploring different training and employment pathways in a particular industry to decide which path best fits their interests and skills
- Educate and assist participants with creation of resumes and cover letters
- Coordinate program events such as career expos, job fairs, and field trips to businesses and colleges
- Assist participants with addressing barriers that prevent them from completing postsecondary training or obtaining employment
- Lead curriculum delivery, interactive activities, and workforce development training for participants.
Employment & Job Support
- Maintain active communication with employers and clients during their first year of employment
- Conduct regular retention client support (check in at 30, 90, 120 days)
- Track employment details in required databases
- Collect and process participant timesheets and payroll documentation securely.
- Develop and connect with industry related employers and training institutes to provide job openings and educational opportunities for participants
- Share job leads, workshops/events, and scholarship opportunities with participants and follow up with the outcome
- Maintain clothing closet clean, stocked and organized for participants
Program Support
- Attend workshops and meetings as relevant to the position.
- Research and conduct outreach in prime venues, events or community areas to increase enrollment into workforce bridge programs.
- Attending outreach events and job fairs to bring resources and participants to our program.
- Support Program Manager in organizing job fair event for Workforce Development program.
- Developing flyers, brochures, and other methods to advertise job placement activities.
- Coordinates and distributes information and materials for meetings; assists in planning meeting agendas; assists in meeting set-up; maintains current committee member lists for various committees.
- Engages in collaborative engagement among the team.
- Provides updated reports to program manager.