Placement and Career Services Specialist

Program Summary:

The Civic Works YouthBuild program engages Baltimore City youth and young adults, between the ages of 16–24, to complete their high school education while earning construction industry-related skills certifications, training, and work experience. Students help construct housing for low-income families and develop leadership, job readiness, and academic skills to support pathways to full-time employment paying a family-sustaining wage. The program offers intensive wrap-around support services to help participants address barriers to success and achieve their education and career goals.

Position Overview:

The Placement and Career Services Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring that YouthBuild participants secure quality jobs. This position oversees job readiness services, participant support during job searches, and employment placement efforts. The Manager is responsible for cultivating and managing relationships with employer placement partners to expand opportunities for program graduates. Additionally, they ensure the delivery of high-quality workshops, assessments, and coaching to prepare participants for successful employment outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities:

1) Build and strengthen employer partnerships

• Regularly prospect, recruit, vet, and screen new employer partners that offer quality jobs that align with participant skills and interests. 
• Cultivate relationships with employer representatives to engage them in the hiring process. 
• Advocate for fair hiring practices, and for employers investing in program graduates. 
• Document all participant and employer interactions and outcomes in the Salesforce database
• Collect feedback from employers and work with the Student Services Manager and Associate Director to improve program effectiveness. 

2) Job readiness services

• Deliver job readiness workshops and individualized coaching sessions, covering topics such as resume writing, interview preparation, and workplace professionalism.
• Provide support to participants as they apply for jobs and navigate the screening processes.
• Promote participant engagement through relationship-building and professional development coaching.
• Design and update job readiness workshops and curricula. 

3) Participant placement

• Support participants in developing and implementing individual 30-day exit plans as they transition into employment.
• Assess participant readiness for placement and facilitate their transition into employment.
• Match participants with job opportunities that align with their skills, interests, and aspirations.
• Maintain participant portfolios, including assessments, certifications, and credentials.
• Lead regular job search workshops for current participants and graduates.
• Enter case notes and employment milestones into Salesforce, tracking engagement, application progress, and placement metrics.

4) Post-Exit Employment Retention

• Provide retention support for graduates during their first year post-exit, including career coaching and financial resource navigation.
• Advocate for graduates with employers, parole/probation agents, and other external systems.
• Document all graduate interactions and retention outcomes in Salesforce.
• Help facilitate feedback loops between graduates and employers, supporting both improved job performance and employer practices.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Assist with participant recruitment and screening processes.
• Collect participant narratives and success stories in order to integrate into partnership engagement, outreach and recruitment, and reporting.
• Conduct periodic reviews and audits of records in Salesforce to verify accuracy, completeness, and compliance with program standards.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years experience in workforce development, employer engagement, case management, recruitment, or a related field.
• Strong computer and notetaking skills, including proficiency with tracking data in Salesforce or another CRM software and Google Workspace applications (Docs, Sheets, etc.).

Skills and Abilities: 

• Excellent relationship-building skills with employers, participants, and community partners.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and work independently under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal, interpersonal relations skills, and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to meet goals and achieve success in independent and collaborative work settings. 
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to create and implement innovative solutions. 
• Able to take into account various perspectives, and bridge gaps between employers and graduates.
• Ability to adhere to a strict guideline of keeping and maintaining confidential information. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective coaching relationships with program participants. 
• Have a valid driver's license and be able to travel to offsite meetings with employers.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Work schedule is typically Monday-Friday, with occasional evenings or weekends as needed. Occasional travel to offsite meetings with employers.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule. Candidates must be able to commute to the Baltimore City office at least four days per week, with the option to work remotely up to one day per week. During the 90-day orientation period, additional in-office days will be required. This arrangement is subject to change based on organizational needs and may be adjusted to include additional in-person time.