Vocational Specialist

Title:                            Vocational Specialist                        

Unit:                             Education and Employment Services

Reports to:                  Director, Workforce Development

Status:                          Full Time; Regular, Non-Exempt

Salary Range:             $31.87 to $34.07 (approximately $58,000 to $62,000 annually)     

Location:                     Long Island City, NY and other Fortune Offices, as needed           

Days/Hours:                Monday – Friday, 9:000am-5:00pm; some evenings and weekends as required

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities. 

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 18,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Position Summary: 

Under the direction of the Director, Workforce Development, the Vocational Instructor will work with the Employment Services team to deliver digital skills and customer service/retail training to formerly incarcerated individuals as they reintegrate into the community, supporting reentry, employment, and personal empowerment. The ideal candidate is a compassionate educator and facilitator dedicated to helping individuals build essential digital and customer service skills for reintegration into a digital society that will support them being successful in the workplace.

Core Competencies:

Mission and Fit

The candidate must embody the values and mission of the Fortune Society. This includes meeting our participants where they are, demonstrating our values through compassion and understanding; and affirming that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Attention to Detail

The Vocational Specialist must demonstrate competency to develop systems and processes to organize and keep track of information or work progress; is routinely conscientious, thorough, accurate and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; and recognizes trends, detects inconsistencies, and determines essential details.

Participant Centered

The Vocational Specialist focuses on opportunities to support participants. They have an ability to illustrate the highest level of customer care and empathy while thriving to resolve participant concerns and issues.

Collaboration

The Vocational Specialist focuses on opportunities to support participants. They have an ability to illustrate the highest level of customer care and empathy while thriving to resolve participant concerns and issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaboratively work with team and management to implement innovative and engaging interdisciplinary, interactive, and experiential learning activities in the workshops, including job readiness skills and life skills related to the development and enhancement of pre-employment competencies;

• Facilitate digital skills and customer service/retail training in-person and online;

• Develop and update training materials such as curricula, handouts, presentations, etc.;

• Participate in collaborative meetings with Employment Services and Digital Equity teams to assess programming effectiveness and make recommendations for improvements;

• Monitor, report, and document participants’ attendance, progress towards goals, and overall class performance in the case management database system;

• Conduct research and stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices in customer service, retail, digital equity and technology education;

• Attend networking events and training workshops to remain informed;

• Model safe and positive workplace behavior and work readiness skills (teamwork, conflict resolution, positive attitude, timeliness, etc.);

• Utilize trauma-informed practices to support participants; establish constructive relationships with participants as a positive role model;

• Participate in regular, ongoing professional development opportunities including trainings, and receive ongoing coaching and feedback;

• Engage in regular participant case conferences and planning meetings with staff;

• Collaborate with internal departments as needed;

• Attend and participate in all necessary meetings, conferences, and trainings;

• Engage in his/her/their own ongoing professional development; and

• Perform other related duties as needed.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Education or a related field or other life/professional experience equivalent to an Associate’s degree preferred;

• A minimum of 1-2 years of experience in teaching, training, or working in correctional or reentry programs; digital literacy or digital equity experience is strongly preferred;

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred;

• Ability to break down technical jargon into easy-to-understand terms for the non-technical person;

• Ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and effectively with a diverse range of participants and correctional facility staff;

• Skilled communicator who can liaise interdepartmentally as well as with community partners and stakeholders;

• Ability to work a flexible schedule;

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, video conferencing applications and digital safety best practices;

• Ability to apply skills learned from prior work experience, or formal academic training in a related subject area, to the day-to-day project activities; and demonstrated success in being participant-centered, self-motivated with excellent relationship skills.

• Ability to work well with personnel, with a patient and flexible approach to work;

• Ability to work independently and on a team;

• Ability to secure volunteer services clearance;

• Experience and/or desire to work with a culturally diverse population.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.

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