The Employment Specialist/case manager will work with the homeless veterans from the Bi-State (MO & IL) St. Louis City and East St. Louis area placing eligible clients into stable employment and housing. The Employment Specialist/case manager will utilize Best Practices to assess the basic needs, make referrals as deemed appropriate, work to employ and monitor employment progress and retention of each client. Individual counseling sessions will be held with all program clients. Bachelor degree required: psychology, social work, or sociology preferred. RESPONSIBILITIES Fulfill contract employment related goals and housing placement goals per month: • Assess 9 eligible veterans per month • Enroll an average of 6 eligible veterans per month into HVRP program • Place an average of 5 eligible veterans into program employment per month • Work with SSVF team to ensure an average of 3 eligible veterans are placed and tracked for housing each month • Ensuring an average of 1 eligible veteran for training certification per quarter • Other quarterly goals met as assigned by manager Facilitate Job Readiness Classes: • Teach Job Readiness Training (JRT) classes to all employment clients according to content of class schedule as structured by program manager Perform job placement and job development: • Meet with client once a week until employed • Work closely with client and individual employment plan to ensure and maintain placement • Cultivate strong relationships with area employers to ensure placement and retention Conduct 30, 60, 90, 180, and 1 year follow-ups with placed clients: • Contact clients and employers and record content of contact in monthly follow-ups and case notes in Case Worthy (i.e. job retention, same job or different job, hourly pay and/or job related information) Accurately Input client information, documentation and verification requirements into files, Case Worthy database system: • Complete daily and monthly departmental paperwork • Ensure files are compliant and up to grant standards and eligibility criteria • Update daily client electronic files to include any type of client contacts within 24 hours of services Provide case management: • Assess initial program eligibility at intake • Complete an Individual Employment Plan assessment and continue assessing and documenting client’s progress • Assess client training needs • Meet with client on weekly basis • Track client’s job interests and applications on a weekly basis • Assess transportation needs by providing time appropriate bus tickets/bus passes/gas cards • Provide vouchers for necessary job related new hire items including tools, clothing and shoes • Assist client in obtaining needed documentation such as IDs or Licenses • Research and provide job leads to clients on weekly basis until placement • Coach clients on successful job retention techniques • Maintain client’s employment placement retention progress on regularly scheduled intervals Perform veteran outreach: • Develop relationships with MO and IL area service providers • Search for eligible veterans through MO and IL area service providers • Recruit eligible veterans • Attend bi-annual Greater St. Louis Area Stand Down and benefit fairs • Research additional benefits available to enhance service being provided • Refer client to additional resources to address other service needs (i.e. legal assistance, V.A. benefits, substance abuse counseling, etc.) • Other duties as assigned by manager DIRECT REPORTS None KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE • Bachelor degree required: psychology, social work, or sociology preferred or equivalent experience with proof of ability to perform effective case management • Ability to follow, understand and meet grant requirements including paperwork • Ability to follow directions including structural changes and understand job description and duties • Knowledge of employment, housing and other supportive service resources • Ability to work with budgets SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED • Interest in helping veterans reach full potential • Ability to work well with diverse and wide range of people • Possess good math skills • Ability to work with Microsoft Word, Excel spreadsheets, client centered databases and client and program centered data entry • Ability to handle confidential information • Ability to remain calm in stressful situations • Ability to process a large volume of paperwork • Maintain a positive work attitude • Ability to organize, time manage and pay great attention to detail RELATIONSHIPS REQUIRED • Reports to HVRP Manager • Works with other veteran employment specialist staff • Works with staff in other programs • Networks with other federal, state and local agencies • Works with HVRP clientele RESOURCES • Job Readiness Training class curriculum and materials • HVRP housing assistance • Veterans materials and programs • Client records and reports • Transportation, clothing, work tools and documentation assistance • Emergency food pantry • Other resources as needed