Description

Job purpose:   With consistent and demonstrated grace and respect for clients, the Reentry Counselor will support the Jubilee Jobs’ Second Chance Academy by serving the participants of the program. The Second Chance Academy offers a 7-week reentry curriculum in the Fayette County Detention Center and post-release case management support to those leaving incarceration. The ideal candidate will create job opportunities for clients by identifying skills, abilities, education, and training and matching those qualities with an appropriate job in the community.  The incumbent will collaborate with job seekers, employment counselors, community social service agencies, and employers to support client success.

Additionally, through the work of job placement, the Reentry Counselor will get to know the struggles of those experiencing poverty, learn the job market and economy, and acquire advanced non-profit and networking skills through participating in an established non-profit. Through direct client engagement and collaboration with community organizations, the incumbent will gain experience in case management, workforce development, and social service coordination.

As the facilitator of the programming for the male population Second Chance Academy cohorts, the ideal candidate will conduct workshops inside FCDC and other regional detention centers, assist with pre- and post-release programs, develop discharge planning, reentry support, and provide graduates with case management for no less than one year after release.

Illustrative Duties:

1. Facilitate, teach and develop workshops for the Second Chance Academy.
2. Conduct intake interviews with program applicants who are incarcerated to assess barriers and readiness for program participation and select applicants for the 7-week course on a recurring basis.
3. Build relationship with the program participants, get to know their skills and challenges/barriers to employment.
4. Develop pre- and post-release measures that support employment goals and address recidivism.
5. Develop discharge planning to assist clients with successful reentry.
6. Assist with housing planning to promote successful reentry and complete recovery program referrals as needed.
7. Organize, market and execute workforce events throughout the region – including, but not limited to, job fairs, seminars, workforce conferences, etc.
8. Develop individualized career plans for clients including setting goals and identifying necessary training and support.
9. Communicate with clients’ attorneys regarding recovery program referrals, program completion, etc. as necessary for clients’ status updates in their court hearings.
10. Develop and build relationships with Lexington area employers to promote access for clients to current job openings.
11. Connect clients to appropriate job openings, advocate for clients, and place and support a specific number of applicants in jobs as assigned by the Reentry Coordinator.
12. Provide support, encouragement and professional development to clients after they obtain employment to include staying in touch with them on a regular basis.
13. Offer case management support for graduates of the Second Chance Academy.
14. Maintain organized, thorough recording in client management database.
15. Identify and connect clients with community resources for non-employment needs.
16. Conduct regular check-ins with clients to update resumes, job leads and support goal attainment.
17. Engage community partners to ensure client needs are being met and identify any problem areas.
18. Report to Reentry Coordinator for ongoing status updates on the program participants.
19. All other duties as assigned by the Reentry Coordinator.  

Requirements

Qualifications:

1.      Education or experience required in social work or related fields (Reentry, Human Services, Human Resources, Social      Justice, Economic Development, Training and Education, Social Policy, Ministry, Social Work, Criminal Justice, etc.).

2.      Strong faith-based understanding of ministry, to include forgiveness, grace and second chance opportunities.

3.      Demonstrated knowledge about the methods of job development and client placement, preferably with 2-5 years of job counselor/job developer/job placement/advocacy or case management.

4.      Ability to sell the message of “second chance” opportunities to employers.

5.      Must have good verbal and written communication skills, exceptional patience and excellent time management.

6.      Ability to manage multiple tasks at one time.  Exhibit high energy and have a good sense of humor.

7.      Bilingual (English and Spanish/Swahili) a plus. 

8.      Knowledge of addiction recovery and reentry along with the associated barriers. 

9.      Comfortable teaching and facilitating in a group setting.

10.  Strong capabilities in data-entry and organized in keeping records.

11.  Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft applications, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel.

12.  Skilled in active listening and able to offer honest, constructive feedback to clients with tones of grace and truth as needed.