LEAP Reentry Employment Specialist

Job Description:

Salary $45,000 year

Title: Reentry Employment Specialist – Linking Employment Activities Pre-Release (LEAP) Program

Classification: Non-Exempt

Scope of Position

The LEAP Project is designed to provide transitioning reentrants from the Northampton County Prison and Lehigh County Jail with critical job readiness and employability skills they need to get and keep a job once released by creating and operating an American Job Center, called the LEAP-Center, in the Jail. The LEAP Reentry Employment Specialist serves as the liaison between Northampton County Prison, Lehigh County Jail, parole offices, PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley and the LVWIB staff. The Reentry Employment Specialist supports program participants in the successful transition of LEAP pre-employment services received in the Jail to services received at the PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley site upon release from jail.

Essential Functions

· Manage assigned caseload of job seekers to guide and develop through their customized career pathway, training opportunities, and mitigate barriers to achieve successful placement outcomes

· Counsel, motivate and encourage LEAP participants in advancing employment, training and retention goals, and provide support in resolving issues that may impede successful job placement

· Work with LEAP and Jail staff to create and implement an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for all participants

· Work with LEAP staff to deliver job readiness and employability skills to transitioning offenders, to ultimately place them in jobs and reduce recidivism rates

· Serve as liaison among the Northampton County Prison, Lehigh County Jail, PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley, the LVWIB and LEAP partners and volunteers

· Work with Jail leadership to inform, educate and gain support for the LEAP Project from Jail staff

· Work with Jail leadership and staff to inform, educate, recruit and enroll eligible inmates into the LEAP Project

· Assist Jail Case Managers, LEAP Instructor/Case Managers and Instructor/Career Advisor to collect, organizes and analyze information about LEAP participants through records, personal interviews and workforce ready assessments to help with career and occupational planning

· Keep current case notes and accurate records of participants’ progress and maintain participant tracking and files

· Provide accurate and timely submission of required program data to ensure real time reporting needs.

· Regularly scheduled participant outreach to follow-up on participant progress and employment outcomes to ensure successful outcomes.

· Assist with employment related services and provide referrals to appropriate community service or social service agencies when needed

· Work directly with LEAP participants, the Northampton County Prison and Lehigh County Jail, and PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley to seamlessly transition between the LEAP program and PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley ensuring consistent training and employment follow up service delivery

· Regular intake and case management appointments facilitated across all CareerLink Lehigh Valley locations to provide customer centric case management to support employment opportunities upon release

· Other opportunities as available

Education and Experience Requirements

· Bachelors’ degree or comparable experience in education/training, workforce, criminal justice or a related field

· Minimum of three years’ experience in educational training, career counseling or corrections with demonstrated success in working with returning citizens and meeting prescribed goals

· Demonstrated ability to work with diverse backgrounds

· Successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain all necessary security clearances

· Current and valid driver’s license and reliable transportation is required

EDSI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.