Employment & Education Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Employment & Education Specialist

Who is EMPath?
Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) is a 200-year Boston-based nonprofit that transforms lives by partnering with families to move out of poverty and provides other organizations with the tools to do the same.

As a leading nonprofit innovator that combines direct services, a global learning network, robust research, and advocacy, we offer a wide range of rewarding career opportunities.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Employment & Education Specialist will provide a range of resources and support to EMPath mentoring staff, in addition to excellent, personalized career coaching services to participants. These services will include career planning and exploration, career readiness exercises, job search strategies, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation and practice, managing workplace culture and employer expectations, and career advancement.

Hours: Full-time, Hybrid work opportunity. Please note: EMPath transitioned to a 36-hour, 4-day work week. This position requires 2 days in-office (EMPath's offices are across the Boston metro) and 2 days remote. Some evenings and weekends may be required.

Supervisor: Senior Director, Center for Learning and Practice

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (EDUCATION ADVISING):

• Assist participants in acquiring alternative education, ESOL, HiSET preparation and exam, high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED).
• Aid participants in enrolling in and finishing job training programs.
• Advise participants in earning vocational certificates when appropriate as well as skills certifications including First Aid, CPR, OSHA, and Serv Safe. 
• Assistance with enrolling and or completing a "Bridge to College" or other college readiness programs. 
• Assist individuals who want to enroll in and complete college-level programs (Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees).
• Assistance in creating a strategy to finance further education. This covers assistance with beginning and finishing the FAFSA application, submitting grant and scholarship applications, and examining the financial aid award letter.
• Assist participants in creating a plan to repay student loans with the help of the financial specialist. This includes examining credit reports and speaking with the student loan servicer to learn about the status of student loans and repayment choices. 
• Create and preserve strong ties with Greater Boston's state institutions, community colleges, and job training programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (CAREER ADVISING):

• Support participants' employment needs by monitoring, assigning, and/or responding to all employment referral requests from program staff within 24 to 48 hours of submission.
• Manage a caseload of up to 20 participants in EMPath's programs by offering one-on-one coaching, goal-setting, and employment-related counsel to assist participants in their efforts to achieve economic mobility over six months to two years.
• Through community meetings, EMPath program team meetings, Mobility Mentor Practitioners meetings, and one annual exchange presentation, lead small group discussions and/or provide training to participants and/or staff on a variety of employment-related subjects.
• Act as Subject Matter Expert to the Learning Development staff on the Center for Learning & Practice team to support the development and improvement of online courses for staff and participants on career placement and advancement. 
• Develop and maintain close relationships with Boston-area employers and job readiness/placement agencies to increase EMPath’s ability to make referrals for participants to advance their careers.  
• Identify and regularly update job market trends (i.e., identify growing/promising industries, trends in successful application materials, most impactful training programs, etc.) in the Boston area that are shared with program staff and participants. 
• Send out weekly employment newsletters to EMPath mentors and participants who choose to sign up.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master's degree preferred. Will consider more experience instead of formal education.
• Two to four years of education counseling and/or education experience.
• Experience promoting economic mobility among low-income families is strongly preferred.
• Can effectively establish priorities and juggle multiple and competing demands.
• Solutions-oriented: When confronted by obstacles, can independently strategize ways to move forward to achieve goals.
• Make good use of EMPath's data system to provide reports that show participant and program trends so that program support is informed.
• An entrepreneurial outlook: Takes initiative in developing approaches to the work required
• A collaborative team player who can form good working relationships with a diverse array of colleagues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of public health, social service, advocacy, educational, and workforce development agencies to enhance the stability of participants.
• Strong computer skills using Microsoft Office products.
• Bilingual skills are preferred but not required.

Tell Us About Yourself! To be considered for this role, please submit a cover letter and resume. Your written presentation and interest in the EMPath mission are crucial aspects of our selection process.

Why EMPath?

• The meaningful work! The organization and your colleagues are committed to disrupting poverty and supporting families as they work towards their biggest goals.
• Collaborative team environment! You’ll join a team that values teamwork, and shares knowledge and ideas – all working towards shared goals for elevating the good work of the organization and the participants in our programs.
• Work-life balance: Full-time, Hybrid work opportunity. Please note: EMPath transitioned to a 36-hour, 4-day work week. This position requires 2 days in-office (EMPath's offices are across the Boston metro) and 2 days remote. Some evenings and weekends may be required.
• Benefits: Competitive salary, retirement planning and competitive healthcare benefits.

EMPath is committed to recruiting, hiring, and sustaining a diverse workforce. All qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender expression, sexuality, age, disability, or veteran status, are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are an EEO/AA/ADA/ADEA employer based in Boston, Massachusetts.

All offers of employment at EMPath are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check.