Overview
Our Commitment to Equity
You will provide culturally competent, and strength-based employment and education support to young adults in permanent and long-term housing programs by identifying participant career goals, supporting with career development, and assisting in navigating employment resources and application. You will be providing services across King County in YMCA locations, shelters, or other convenient community locations. The position is hybrid, with office and community-based days at least 2-3 times per week. The goals of the Community Housing Employment and Education Specialist include providing time limited intensive employment coaching, developing partnerships with employers across King County, and providing regular resource consults with permanent housing clients. You will collaborate with co-workers, supervisors, outside professionals, and others involved in delivering resources to support young adults' housing employment and education goals. This position is at the Social Impact Center Y, the social services branch of YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS). The mission of the Social Impact Center Y is to accelerate young people's ability to build safe, successful, and happy lives. Every year, we serve 5,000 children, youth, young adults, and families across King County with programs that aim to strengthen young people's ability to develop to their fullest potential through four strategies: reducing risk factors; navigating systems towards successful life transition; ensuring stability, safety and wellness in times of crisis; and building competencies and social capital. The Social Impact Center Y's programs include housing, behavioral health, foster care licensing, violence prevention, education, and employment. Many of the young people we serve have had involvement in the foster care, criminal justice system, and/or homelessness systems. ?
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position with expected hours of Monday-Friday 9-5 with occasional evening and weekends as needed.
What You Will Get From Working at The Y
Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household
Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
Retirement with generous employer contributions
Free access to mental health resources
Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO)
Full-time employees qualify for a 50% discount, and part-time employees qualify for a 25% discount, on eligible Childcare Services.
Some benefits only available to full-time staff
Hiring Range: $24.00 - $27.00/hour
Responsibilities
Receives referrals from permanent housing case managers to connect clients to relevant employment and/or education.
Provides intensive case management for 90 day intervals focusing on employment and education goals. Connects with clients on a weekly basis while receiving employment and education services. Can be more often if needed and can decrease in frequency as goals are achieved.
Using motivational interviewing, connects directly with young adult participants from YSIC permanent housing programs to create or build resumes, establish interviews, complete job applications, obtain necessary documentation, and explore career paths.
Attends relevant job fairs, interviews, and info sessions with clients. Actively engages with community resources to be able to quickly connect participants to relevant organizations.
Supports clients in developing a clear plan to achieve their employment and education goals and holds them accountable to such goals.
Creates and upholds partnerships with potential employers and community based employment and education resources.
Tracks employment trends in King County and adjusts strategies to gain employment as needed.
Hosts regular workshops and/or events for participants to attend to support with skill development and employment outcomes.
Collaborates effectively with case managers, supervisors, peers, and outside professionals to meet the needs of housing program participants.
Completes required documentation within program deadlines and reports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Code of Conduct for Applicants (https://seattleymca.icims.com/icims2/servlet/icims2?module=AppInert&action=download&id=191063&hashed=999166779)
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree* in psychology, social work or related social services field or equivalent experience, Masters preferred. Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered.
Experience working with teens or young adults in employment, foster care, group care, housing, education, juvenile justice, anti-poverty, vocational support, mental health, chemical dependency and/or homelessness fields.
Ability to teach effective independence skills for a variety of learning styles and to plan supportive activities.
Strong youth engagement and relationship-building skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Ability to transport self and client(s) in a safe and effective manner, and to meet clients at community locations; proof of adequate vehicle insurance coverage is required, or ability to travel to areas without public transportation.
Current state approved First Aid and CPR certification.**
Current approved HIV blood borne pathogens training.**
Prefer knowledge of and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
Some Case Manager positions required Bachelor's degree or higher.
** Within 30 days of employment or first available training.
You'll be a great fit for the Seattle Y if you:
Thrive on working in a collaborative environment.
Are very adaptable.
Have high ownership and strong work ethic .
Are a great problem solver who can think on your feet.
Truly enjoy being of service to people.
Like being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together.
Want to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all.
OUR MISSION
Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.
OUR VALUES
Respect
Responsibility
Honesty
Caring
Passion for Excellence
YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment . Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.
We are a drug & alcohol -free workplace. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system. All job offers are contingent on the results of a background check in accordance with Washington's Fair Chance Act. Please download and review the below resources for more information:
( i ) The updated 2025 requirements of 49.94.010:
https://seattleymca.icims.com/icims2/servlet/icims2?module=AppInert&action=download&id=251099&hashed=1503034877
(ii) The WA attorney general's Washington fair chance act guide for employers and job applicants:
https://seattleymca.icims.com/icims2/servlet/icims2?module=AppInert&action=download&id=251100&hashed=74689660
If you need assistance of any kind with the application process, reach out to recruiting@seattleymca.org.
