Workforce Specialist

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,900 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

We are now hiring for a full-time Workforce Specialist to join our Workforce Development Team!

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Ensure compliance with agency and programmatic standards to meet client needs.
• Maintain and submit to Workforce Development Director, placement reports, employer partnership agreements, success stories, calendars/flyers of upcoming events, employment/employer leads, and other required information.
• Coordinates employment partner recruitment with Job Developers agency wide.
• Coordinate workforce services trainings including scheduling, workshop curriculum, facilitators, and external vendors for training, agency wide.
• Works collaboratively with other program staff to carry out program goals.
• Develop and foster professional relationships with employers, placement agencies, and temporary agencies to ensure consistent contact for job leads within the community based on assessed needs of clients.
• Make presentations to businesses within the Chicagoland area to promote Workforce Services programs and to develop new employment opportunities for Job Seekers.
• Design and develop employment service marketing program. Make presentations to business within the community to promote employment services program and develop new jobs for consumers. 
• Perform situational assessments and vocational explorations. Observe and document consumers vocational assets and limitation, ability to engage in competitive employment, need for and ability to benefit from supported employment, including natural supports.
• Facilitate Job Clubs with guest speakers and employers about various life skills, career development, job related topics, income supports, job leads, etc.
• Assist clients in obtaining permanent, unsubsidized jobs in high-demand industries.
• Provide work support and referrals.
• Handles emergency and crisis situations with participants, as needed.
• Works within contract, grant, and program requirements including meeting timelines and reporting requirements.
• Utilizes a team approach and works with other program staff in the planning and implementation of services.
• Takes increasing responsibility for own professional development, utilizing supervision and other developmental opportunities within and outside the agency to enhance skills and understanding.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service populations.
• Highly organized. Knowledge of Excel to track economic self-sufficiency data.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least five years of training or demonstrated experience in a related area.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch.
• The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

SALARY:

• The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $45,000 to $49,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of IL Medical Coverage options that support all levels of staff (including Part-Time): HMO, PPO, and HSA (PPO).
• ZERO: A free benefit for BCBS PPO members that helps find the least expensive option for medical
• MFS will contribute $2,000 to individual and $4,000 to family HSA Accounts through our HSA coverage, all front-loaded at the start of the year, or the start of your HSA enrollment.
• Teladoc services provided to all employees: A no-cost benefit providing general medicine and behavioral health services, no insurance
• Dental HMO and PPO options through Guardian
• VSP vision insurance with one of the largest networks in the Chicago-land
• Company-paid individual life insurance policy of $100,000, with a wide range of additional, employee-cost
• Company-paid individual Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Five Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options ranging from Health to Contribute your pre-tax dollars where you need them the most.
• Ascensus 401K Plan with up to a 4% Match, vested at 100% on day one of
• 12 paid holidays
• Starting with 15 days of PTO, maxing at 30 days after 3 years of service.
• Training and Professional Development Plan with E-Learning
• Pet Insurance options for your furry (or non-furry) friends.
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Free Will preparation services.
• On-staff notary available to employees
• ALEX, AI-powered assistance that will make your benefit decisions seamless

Salary : $45,000 - $49,000