EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST – 2 FT Positions Available

Northwest Regional Re-Entry Centeris a 125 bed residential re-entry center which works closely with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, US Probation and Pre-Trial Services. NWRRC provides secure housing, counseling, and case management services to federal offenders releasing into the Portland metro area community.

NWRRC’s mission is to provide transitional services in a supervised environment in order to assist our offenders in becoming employed, law-abiding citizens and to (re)establish family and community ties. NWRRC provides a full array of services in a community setting, emphasizing community safety and offender self accountability.

Locating and maintaining gainful employment plays a significant role in formerly incarcerated individuals’ ability to remain crime free. Quickly securing full-time employment for offenders upon release is good for the individual, their family, employers, and the community.

NWRRC is hiring for 2 FT Employment Specialistswho will work in our very active Resource Room assisting offenders. There are two schedules available: Mon-Fri 12:30pm-8:30pm and Tues- Fri 7:30am-3:30pm/Sat 9:00am-5:00pm.

Sample of Employment Specialist Duties:

  • Assist offenders in seeking employment, including: the development of an accurate and business-like resume, information regarding public transportation, use of computer resources to find work opportunities, and referral of clients to potential employment sources.
  • Conducts Employment Orientation’s with all offenders within 3 days of arrival. Performs weekly case notes with all unemployed offenders.
  • Conducts employment & vocational assessments to determine interests, skills and abilities. This assessment will determine the appropriate course of action regarding employment, schooling and training.
  • Coordinates with offendersto obtain appropriate identification prior to beginning job search.
  • Monitors all offender job searches for appropriate activities, including approving the daily job search itinerary. Works with NWRRC’s Field Monitors to conduct accountability checks.
  • Conducts initial verification and on-site inspection of a offenders proposed employment prior to the first day of work. Establishes a working relationship with the employer for future communication. Enters and maintains permanent employment information and schedule in the Alert Log for monitoring purposes.
  • Evaluates and refers offenders to program or community resources such as SE Works, Central City Concern, Mercy Corp, local job fairs, etc.
  • Conducts and documents weekly employment verification by telephone calls to employers. Maintains an active file of all employment information and verification throughout resident placement.
  • Maintains a resource file of employers who are willing to hire offenders and actively recruits new employers to add to this pool.
  • Continuously developrelationships with employers, community resources, volunteer sites and relationships that can provide assistance and training to the offender population.
  • Conduct in-house groups that are of benefit to the offenders such as Rent Well and financial literacy.

Job Requirements:

The Resource Specialist shall have a combination of education and experience that demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of employment services, career development activities, and techniques to overcome barriers to employment frequently encountered by correctional clients. A Bachelor’s Degree is required and at least 3 years of case management/employment services/direct client contact. Professional experience and maturity is required for this position; the work and decisions made in this department affect all other departments. Effective communication verbally and through written documentation between multi-disciplinary departments is critical to success in this position. You must be able to pass a criminal background check.

Operational Discretion and Supervision Provided:

The Social Services Coordinator shall provide general oversight and supervision. This oversight shall focus on contract requirements, coordination of staff duties, and responsibilities related to NWRRC’s general mission of accountability. The Specialist shall have some discretion for day-to-day activities and tasks within that general framework.

Impact:

The Specialist’s successful work performance determines the success or failure of one of NWRRC’s primary functions. As stated above, the successful employment ofoffenders impacts their ability to transition to the community, NWRRC’s ability to meet contract requirements, and the public’s right to live in a safe community.

Environmental Factors:

The Specialist experiences close proximity to offenders who are experiencing the stresses of unemployment simultaneously with other behavioral or personality problems. The stressors impact their ability to transition into a free society as well as comport their behavior to the rules of NWRRC and the legal expectations of the community. The Specialist shall be sensitive to the mood and behaviors of offenders and be able to provide guidance and control in a professional manner. A majority of the position will be spent working in the Resource Room; however, some community work will be necessary. A current Driver’s License is required for this position.

Please visit our website for further information about Northwest Regional Re-Entry Center at

If you meet the minimum requirements for this position, please forward your resume, cover letter, and at least 3 references to Dave Rynd, Fiscal and Human Resources Manager at . No phone calls please.

6/17/2013