Job Developer jobs in Connecticut

Job Developer, Work Release Program, Hartford, CT

COMPENSATION: $21.40/Hour ($44,512 Annually)

AGENCY DESCRIPTION

One of the oldest organizations of its kind in the country, Community Partners in Action (CPA) was founded nearly 150 years ago to champion criminal justice reform and advocate for preserving the dignity of those in and out of prison. Through our programs that include reentry and housing, youth initiatives, a nationally recognized Prison Arts Program, and holistic alternatives to incarceration, we provide a long-term impact that positively transforms individuals and society at large. Annually serving nearly 7,000 individuals throughout Connecticut, our work is possible due to partnerships with and support from individuals, government, private funders, organizations, and businesses.

CPA launched our BEDI (Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Journey in June 2020. Led by a task force that includes board members, our executive leadership team, program managers and staff who act as BEDI Ambassadors from each of our programs, WE ARE COMMITTED to building and maintaining an inclusive, equitable workplace and COMPELLED to have a constructive impact on criminal justice reform in CT that ends racial inequities and ensures the humanity and dignity of those interacting with the system. Read more about our BEDI journey at Our Commitment to Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion - CPA (cpa-ct.org)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Our Work Release Program (WRP), currently funded by the CT Department of Correction (CT DOC/Department), provides residents with safe and secure housing, basic needs assistance, employment readiness and placement opportunities as well as the development of life and work skills essential to the promotion of self-reliance, responsibility, and accountability.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The WRP Job Developer focuses on ensuring resident accountability. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree plus two (2) years of experience in social services and/or employment and/or educational services, teaching, training, and/or group facilitation. Job development and placement experience required. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of education. Knowledge of the criminal justice system and the ability to interact with people of diverse backgrounds. Knowledge of the Greater Hartford job market and community provider network. A successful candidate must be a self-starter. Must have strong written and interpersonal skills. Must possess strong computer skills. Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) skills preferred. Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Some evening and holiday hours are required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

• Commit to mission and program goals.
• Supervise residents in compliance with CT Department of Corrections security requirements.
• Establish and maintain one-on-one relationships with residents for the purpose of developing meaningful employment opportunities on their behalf.
• Assess residents’ employment needs.
• Assist residents with identity document restoration.
• Assist residents with development of career goals and strategies.
• Prepare reports as directed.
• Conduct substance screening, specimen testing, and adhere to testing protocol of program.
• Establish and maintain an on-going effective job development marketing strategy for canvassing prospective participant employers.
• Assess and screen residents for appropriate employment matches.

• Collaborate with residents to develop individualized and measurable employment plans.
• Maintain accurate documentation of resident attendance and performance in all employment services.
• Complete the necessary case documentation on each resident, as established by the Program Manager.
• Plan and implement regular job development activities which result in a pool of employers committed to hiring WRP residents.
• Identify, develop and maintain ongoing collaboration with services, agencies and institutions that may directly reduce barriers to residents’ employment.
• Prepare, plan, and facilitate individual/group and employment readiness training sessions with integrity and fidelity to curriculum/manual.
• Recognize and address resident ambivalence and resistance and help residents maintain motivation to change.
• Recognize anti-social thinking, feeling, and acting, and demonstrate and reinforce concrete alternatives.
• Teach residents in need concrete problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Work in collaboration with the Case Manager to ensure that all client needs are being addressed.
• Provide evening coverage to support resident work schedules.
• Serve as a role model to residents and staff by modeling pro-social behaviors.
• Solicit resident satisfaction feedback.
• Establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with residents and members of their identified support group.
• Actively participate in the overall effort to meet performance outcomes set by CT DOC and CPA.
• Participate in related seminars, panels and workshops to enhance visibility of program.
• Seek and engage in annual training to increase overall professional skills.
• Perform other duties related to effective advocacy for employment of ex-residents, as necessary.
• Perform duties of other staff as required.

An Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Affirmative Action