Employment Specialist - Oakland

About Swords to Plowshares

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to support veterans as they navigate the challenges of post-military life, and to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wrap-around care and informed advocacy.   To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org.

Job Title: Employment Specialist

Location: 330 Franklin Street, Oakland

Schedule: Monday through Friday 9 am-5 pm

Reporting Type: 4 days in office, 1 day from home- after 90 days

Employment Type: Non-exempt, Full-time

Salary Range: $31.90 per hour

Summary:

The Employment Specialist-II recruits, enrolls and provided job placement assistance to each veteran.   The Employment Specialist-II provides supportive services, develops recruitment and implementation plans, and performs community and some employment outreach throughout the San Francisco and East Bay Area. The Employment Specialist-II provides assessments, case management, information and referral, and job counseling to assist veterans reintegrating into the civilian workforce. Employment Specialists-II coordinates with employers for job placement and/or occupational training programs in accordance with contract goals. Employment Specialist-II will host employer spotlights and assist with workshops, maintain relationships with community-based organizations, employers, assist Program Managers with special projects.

Responsibilities:

Assess and counsel veterans for job readiness

Develop Individual Employment Plans (IEP’s) with veteran clients to assess barriers to employment, and identify individual veteran client service needs

Determine client eligibility for federal/state employment and training programs

Maintain veteran participant caseload and make necessary referrals to additional services as appropriate, including counseling on mental health issues, legal advocacy, job readiness workshops, and pre-employment training

Provides job placement assistance including resume development, job search, interview techniques, host employer spotlights and aid with weekly workshops

Provide support services, including liaison or linkages with advocacy programs for VA benefits and other entitlements, personal counseling services, and community programs for the homeless and/or unemployed

Maintain concise and up-to-date client files, including required documentation and weekly case/progress notes, thorough and accurate completion and execution of paperwork in a timely manner

Perform any other employment related tasks as identified and delegated by the Employment Director, Program Manager, and Program Coordinator

Desired Qualifications:

Five (4-5) years of experience providing vocational and/or pre-employment counseling and case management in a multi-service setting

Translatable military experience and skills may be alternatively substituted

Knowledge of federal and state government employment programs a plus

Ability to meet multiple deadlines while maintaining a professional composure

Extremely tactful and diplomatic when dealing with people

Ability to articulate and facilitate presentations in a public speaking forum

Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and interact well with people from diverse economic, ethnic and educational backgrounds

Ability to sit for prolonged periods

Ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks

Ability to travel within the San Francisco Bay area and perform case management and outreach functions at various sites and provide proof of auto insurance

Employee must be able to perform all functions of this position within what would be deemed reasonable accommodations

Fluency in English and ability to effectively read, write, and communicate in English with staff, clients, and external partners and stakeholders.

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Proactive, detail-oriented, reliable, exercises good judgment

Basic computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in social work or behavioral sciences

Equivalent combination of college course work and experience

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Employees who are regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for all benefits.

100% employer sponsored medical, vision, acupuncture, and dental coverage. Swords to Plowshares covers partial dependent coverage cost. (Agency paid annual medical deductible paid via Navia HRA Card)

Employee Assistance Program: 20 mental health counseling appointments available to all employees, regardless of Full-time status, at no cost to employees.

403(b) retirement plan immediate enrollment

Generous annual paid time off

10 sick days

13 holidays

17 vacation days in the first year & progressive afterwards

Access to third party legal benefits, employee discount program, pet insurance, and Commuter Benefit.

1-hour paid lunch period, professional development reimbursements, and annual education allowance available to all employees.

*Employees who work on-call, in a temporary position, or less than 20 hours per week regularly are only eligible for our Employee Assistance Program, paid lunch hour, and San Francisco sick time. Vacation and sick time are pro-rated based upon full-time equivalent percentage.

Organizational Values Statement of Intent:

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of upholding our values and fostering a supportive culture for all staff and veteran clients. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued.

We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. We understand that the veteran community encompasses a multitude of identities, and we believe that our staff and board should as well. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals—regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status—are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974).

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re here to help.