Technology Employment Specialist - Nashville, TN - Persevere

Technology Employment Specialist - Nashville, TN

Reports To

Program  Manager

Who is Persevere?

Persevere is a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to decreasing recidivism and increasing successful reentry and transition for men and women involved in the criminal justice system.  To accomplish this, Persevere offers a customizable, comprehensive program for criminal-justice involved individuals to develop meaningful job skills and gain successful access to the labor market.  These services include software coding classes; job readiness and employability instruction, including life skills and financial education; work experience; job search and job placement; entrepreneurship training; and for some, a residential transition program.

National data shows recidivism rates are highest among those who are unemployed.  Criminal justice involved men and women have long struggled to find employment upon release.  They have an immediate disadvantage because of their criminal justice involvement, and must compete with non-offenders for unskilled, low-paying jobs.  Even when they are successful at finding a job, keeping it is another challenge.  As a result, many are unable to comply with the conditions of parole and end up back in prison.

Real Hope, Valuable Skills, & Meaningful Opportunity

Job Overview

The Technology Employment Specialist will prepare program participants to enter the workforce as confident professionals and serve as a liaison between businesses, educators, and others to locate employment opportunities for them and help them succeed in their new careers.  This role will require some  travel, including transportation of clients at times, and may require occasional work inside multiple prisons and therefore the ability to pass a reference check, background check and our client’s drug screen.  

Job Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.  Other duties may be assigned, especially where dictated by a specific grant.  

Prepare Participants for Employment

• Assist participants in self-assessment of job readiness and help remove barriers to employment

• Build effective participant developmental plans and accurately maintain all required documentation, notes and follow up

• Provide career exploration opportunities through classroom, small group and individual activities

• Provide labor market information, job search counseling, and post education planning services

• Deliver employment essential skills training to participants such as Persevere Career Readiness, Bring Your A Game to Work, or approved job search assistance workshops

• Assist the participant in developing a resume and cover letter

• Assist the participant in creating and enhancing a LinkedIn profile

• Assist in establishing a  GitHub account and a project portfolio as needed

• Teach best practices for searching and applying for jobs in the tech industry

• Assist the participant with the application process

• Arrange for interviews

• Assist the participant in preparing for an interview including appropriate dress

• Teach students how to write follow up emails after interviewing

• Encourage students to develop strategies for developing a healthy work-life balance

• Collaborate with or serve as the participant's internal case manager 

• Coordinate services with resource agencies in the community

• Help participants acquire documents needed for employment authorization verification as needed

• Connect participants with case managers in the community who can help participants complete their search

• Meet with participants at required intervals

• Complete corporate training on a timely basis.

• Assist with the creation of and follow critical Standard Operating Procedures and Workflows

• Participate in cross training staff as requested

• Other duties as assigned 

Facilitate Learning and Employment Opportunities for Participants and Aid Program Funding

• Reach out to businesses and industries on a weekly basis to establish connections and partners for employment opportunities, fund-raising and to promote general awareness

• Participate in chamber events, technology events, SHRM meetings or other where connections with business and industry can be made

• Coordinate work-based learning opportunities such as industry tours, guest speakers, job shadows, and mentorships

• Connect area employers with students to create work-based learning opportunities such as on-the-job training, internships and apprenticeships

• Identify employment opportunities for participants, beginning with tech roles

• Understand what career options are available to our students as coders and identify employment opportunities for participants, beginning with tech roles

• Collaborate closely with instructors in linking qualified participant to business needs

• Establish mentorships between instructors and participants

• Participate in personal professional development and training

• Other duties as assigned 

Track the Activities of Participants and Program Partners

• Use all technology available and/or required to manage communication and follow up with participants, co-workers, program partners and businesses

• Complete Pre/Interim/Post  assessments to identify job skills as well as factors that limit potential employment opportunities

• Monitor and report on program compliance including pre-release and post-release placement rates and wages

• Document all case management activities in detail

• Prepare reports on participant successes and participate in marketing and public relations efforts

• Document placements that qualify for an incentive placement fees, if available

• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services area (social work, human services, criminal justice, psychology) or an equal number of years of experience providing workforce development services

• Experience providing workforce development and community support services to persons with substance abuse and/or co-occurring disorders

• Experience working with corrections involved clients/offenders is preferred

• Must have a valid driver's license

We highly value

• Passion for and responsibility to the customer/partner

• Must be self-starting, hardworking and inquisitive

• Leadership through innovation in everything you do

• Passion for what you do and being self-critical to improve

• Relentless commitment to win

• Personal and corporate integrity