Torchora
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Vocational Skills Specialist

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

Social ServicesEducationNon-ProfitWorkforce Development

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about unlocking human potential and guiding individuals toward meaningful, sustainable careers? This role requires a dynamic and compassionate Vocational Skills Specialist to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will be the cornerstone of our clients' employment journey, providing expert guidance, hands-on training, and unwavering support. You will assess individual strengths, develop customized career plans, and build bridges with community employers to create life-changing opportunities. If you are a natural coach, a strategic thinker, and a powerful advocate dedicated to fostering workforce inclusion and empowerment, we invite you to apply.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Case Manager or Case Worker Aide
  • Direct Support Professional
  • Human Resources Assistant
  • Social Work Intern

Advancement To:

  • Senior Vocational Specialist / Lead Employment Specialist
  • Program Coordinator or Program Manager
  • Case Management Supervisor
  • Workforce Development Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Corporate Trainer or Learning & Development Specialist
  • Career Counselor (in an educational setting)
  • Human Resources Generalist (Recruitment focus)
  • Non-Profit Program Developer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive vocational assessments using formal and informal tools to accurately identify clients' interests, aptitudes, transferable skills, and potential barriers to employment.
  • Develop and implement highly individualized career development and service plans (ISPs) in direct collaboration with clients, outlining clear, measurable, and achievable employment goals.
  • Provide intensive, one-on-one and group-based job readiness training, covering essential topics such as crafting compelling resumes, writing targeted cover letters, and mastering effective interviewing techniques.
  • Coach individuals on developing and demonstrating critical soft skills for workplace success, including professional communication, collaborative teamwork, proactive problem-solving, and effective time management.
  • Facilitate engaging workshops and training modules on specific vocational skills, digital literacy (MS Office, online tools), and financial literacy to enhance overall employability and long-term stability.
  • Actively research and identify suitable job openings, apprenticeships, and career pathways that align with the unique skills, goals, and support needs of each client.
  • Cultivate and maintain a robust portfolio of strong, collaborative relationships with local employers, community partners, and business networks to create a pipeline of diverse job leads and placement opportunities.
  • Serve as a powerful advocate on behalf of clients with potential employers, professionally highlighting their strengths and abilities while negotiating reasonable accommodations when necessary.
  • Provide on-site job coaching and systematic support to newly employed clients to ensure a smooth transition, facilitate new skill acquisition, and promote long-term job retention.
  • Systematically monitor, track, and document client progress towards employment goals, maintaining meticulous, timely, and confidential case notes within the designated client management system.
  • Guide clients through the entire job application lifecycle, from initial search and application submission to interview preparation, professional follow-up, and offer negotiation.
  • Perform detailed job analyses at employer sites to thoroughly understand role requirements, workplace culture, and environmental factors to ensure successful and lasting client-job matches.
  • Mediate and provide constructive support for workplace-related challenges, working collaboratively with both the client and the employer to find mutually beneficial solutions.
  • Stay current with evolving labor market trends, in-demand industries, and regional employment data to provide relevant, forward-thinking, and strategic advice to clients.
  • Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team, including case managers, therapists, and other service providers, to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to client support.
  • Assist clients in navigating and accessing essential supportive services, such as transportation, childcare, professional attire, and benefits counseling, that are critical for obtaining and maintaining employment.
  • Develop and manage a portfolio of employer partners, conducting regular outreach and follow-up to understand their hiring needs, promote our talent pool, and solicit feedback.
  • Prepare and submit accurate and timely reports on client placements, retention rates, wages, and other key performance indicators as required by program funders and internal stakeholders.
  • Design, adapt, and continuously improve training curricula and resource materials to meet the diverse learning styles, languages, and needs of the client population.
  • Empower clients by building their self-confidence and self-advocacy skills, fostering a sense of ownership and resilience throughout their career journey.
  • Interpret results from vocational evaluation tools (e.g., CASAS, TABE, career interest inventories) to inform service planning, career guidance, and skill-building strategies.
  • Conduct consistent follow-along support for at least 90 days post-employment to address any emerging issues, reinforce skills, and solidify the client's position and performance.

Secondary Functions

  • Participate in community outreach events, job fairs, and public-speaking engagements to promote program services and recruit new clients and employer partners.
  • Contribute to grant writing proposals and program development initiatives by providing qualitative data, success stories, and insights from direct service delivery.
  • Assist in the creation and distribution of marketing materials (brochures, social media content) that effectively communicate the program's value proposition.
  • Mentor junior staff, interns, or volunteers, providing guidance on best practices in vocational services and case management.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Case Management Software: Proficiency in client data management systems (e.g., ETO, Salesforce for Nonprofits, CharityTracker).
  • Vocational Coaching: Demonstrated expertise in modern resume/cover letter writing, career counseling methodologies, and situational job coaching techniques.
  • Assessment Tools: Knowledge of vocational assessment tools and career interest inventories (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory, MBTI, O*NET).
  • Employment Law: Strong working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), EEO, and other relevant employment regulations.
  • Curriculum Development: Proven ability to design and facilitate engaging training curricula and workshops for adult learners.
  • Tech Proficiency: High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, and online job search platforms (LinkedIn, Indeed).

Soft Skills

  • Interpersonal Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with an ability to build rapport and trust with highly diverse populations.
  • Empathy & Patience: Deep sense of empathy, patience, and compassion, skillfully balanced with professional boundaries and goal-oriented focus.
  • Organization & Time Management: Superior organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage a large caseload effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Creative Problem-Solving: Proactive and creative thinking abilities to identify and overcome complex client barriers to employment.
  • Advocacy & Negotiation: Strong advocacy and professional negotiation skills to effectively represent clients and build positive employer relationships.
  • Resilience: High degree of personal resilience and the ability to work effectively and maintain composure in a dynamic and sometimes high-stress environment.
  • Relationship Building: Natural ability to network and build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with clients, colleagues, and community stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Sociology, Education, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Counseling, Social Work, or a related discipline.
  • Certification such as Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) or Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Social Work
  • Psychology
  • Human Services
  • Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Education
  • Sociology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of direct experience in workforce development, case management, job coaching, vocational rehabilitation, or corporate recruiting.

Preferred:

  • Documented success in placing and retaining individuals in competitive employment.
  • Direct experience working with individuals with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, veterans, at-risk youth, or other populations facing significant barriers to employment.
  • Bilingual abilities are highly desirable.
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