Educational/Vocational Specialist: BRAG Cure Violence - Good Shepherd Services

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success.  At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference! 

The Cure Violence Bronx Educational/Vocational Specialist works with program staff, in helping program participants connect with jobs, job readiness training and continuing education through developing contacts and networks in the public and private sector. The Educational/Vocational Specialist will help to provide economic support and employment related services to people in need for the purpose of promoting individual and family self-sufficiency in the areas within the Bronx 46th, 47th Precinct, and 52nd Precinct

REPORTS TO: Ed/Voc Emp Coordinator

LOCATION: 1995 Jerome and 4011 Bronxwood Avenue, Bronx, NY

HOURS: 35 Hours/Week, Exempt

Major Duties:

• Assisting participants in obtaining and maintaining employment that is consistent with their individual vocational goals.
• Assessing participants’ vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences.
• Conducting job development and job search activities directed towards positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the population served.
• Providing outreach to employer contacts and serving as an advocate for participants and staff; providing necessary engagement with participants and staff to connect them to opportunities both within CMS and outside of CMS.
• Assisting participants and community partners with the Anti-Gun Violence Employment Program paperwork and documentation requirements.
• Assisting participants and staff with concerns including housing, health care, social service and educational issues.
• Conduct outreach to the community (individually and as a team member) to build strong relationships with young people, residents, businesses and community agencies providing services within the catchment area.
• Represent the program at all relevant community meetings and mobilize all to develop coordinated educational and vocational strategies.
• Assist the Program Director in engaging, motivating, and coordinating the efforts of core and other volunteers.
• Document all work including case notes and referrals using DOHMH approved database.
• Provide participants with support and linkages to programs and opportunities in the community (e.g., job programs, GED, etc.).
• Maintain regular participation in meetings coordinated by the MOCJ-OPGV, DOHMH, and GSS internal meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; 
• An in-depth knowledge of the educational and vocational process.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effective community outreach and mobilize community efforts.
• Experience and knowledge of at-risk and gang-involved young people, including skills for working effectively with high-risk teenagers and young adults.
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to communicate clearly, effectively and collaboratively with all levels of staff, program participants and community members.
• Proficiency with computers and hand-held devices, including the ability to use databases and common office programs.
• Ability to work highly flexible schedule that includes late evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to walk 30 blocks and travel by public transportation.
• Criminal justice history preferred but may not be under current criminal justice supervision.
• Commitment to working toward positive community change.
• Valid, clean NYS driver’s license strongly preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish-English preferred.
• Commitment to work from a strength based, trauma informed youth and family development perspective.

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success.  At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference!

General Requirements: All staff are expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Good Shepherd Services, which includes involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness and ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.  We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. 

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.