About this role
Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive. We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach more than 72,000 individuals and families each year at our 100 locations, including 10,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families live in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.
CAMBA operates six single‑adult homeless shelters and a Brooklyn drop‑in center, funded by the New York City Department of Homeless Services. Each shelter provides a structured, therapeutic, safe, and drug‑free environment where adults experiencing homelessness—many of whom face mental health and substance use challenges—receive comprehensive services to stabilize their condition and transition to permanent or supported housing. The Gathering Place, the Brooklyn drop‑in center, serves adults (18+) and provides medical and behavioral health care, housing placement assistance, and daily living skills training, with a strong focus on employment supports to help clients obtain stable work and permanent housing.
Position: Employment Specialist
Reports To: Director of Social Services
Location: Brooklyn, NY, 11211
What The Employment Specialist Does:
- Maintain professional relationships with clients and client confidentiality.
- Practice Universal Precautions/Standard Protocol & Procedures.
- Comply with any and all Federal, State, City and CAMBA security and privacy polices intended to protect the security and privacy of individually identifiable health information.
- Serve as a liaison with outside organizations regarding such matters as employment, education, healthcare, housing, social services, legal issues, etc.
- Assist clients in attaining their employment related goals by identifying and referring clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA.
- Develop curriculum to address shelter residents’ employment needs.
- Develop and facilitate a series of Employment Related Workshops.
- Develop materials to be posted on a Bulletin Board that serves to provide relevant Employment related information.
- Provide individualized counseling on employment related topics.
- Organize and schedule presentations by “employment experts” in various employment sectors.
- Provide employment related support, training and coordination with the other social services staff.
- Establish linkages with community-based organizations.
- Conduct marketing and outreach presentations regarding the program to secure resources (i.e., job placements, vocational training).
- Conduct vocational assessment to determine educational/employment needs.
- Conduct initial intake and assessment of clients’ needs and periodic re-assessments.
- Create and maintain client electronic and paper files.
- Prepare initial psychosocial evaluation and update according to regulations.
- Obtain and maintain relevant documentation and release forms from clients (i.e., birth certificate, proof of income, medical documents, release of Personal Health Information, etc.).
- In collaboration with clients, conduct periodic revisions of independent living plans including short-term and long-term client goals.
- Assist clients in attaining their goals by identifying community resources and by referring clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA (i.e., On-site medical services and psychiatric services, etc.).
- Work with clients to break through barriers to their goal(s) attainment.
- Assist clients in advocating for themselves in order to gain housing stability.
- Recommend and implement strategies to persuade clients to participate fully in the process in order to transition into permanent housing.
- Monitor clients' progress toward their goals via regularly scheduled face-to-face contacts/sessions.
- Document all client encounters via progress notes using DHS CARES Database and printout notes for client’s paper file.
- Ensure CARES Database is updated to reflect client request for services (i.e., car fare, appointments, passes, referrals, etc.).
- Follow-up with clients and with referral organizations regarding client contact and progress with referral organization.
- Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
- May act as client liaison/client advocate with outside organizations regarding such matters as education, healthcare, housing, legal issues, etc.
- May schedule appointments for client with referral organizations.
- May assist clients in completing applications for benefits and entitlements, and may process applications on clients' behalf.
- May prepare marketing materials for the program.
- Tasks may be modified, expanded and/or assigned over a period of time.
Education, Licenses and/or Certifications Required:
- High School diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of direct experience, or associate or bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of direct experience.
- Applicants currently enrolled in a program and on track to complete the minimum required education, license, and/or certification within the next three months, and who meet the minimum experience requirements, are encouraged to apply. However, employment is contingent upon satisfying requirements for the position.
Minimum Experiences and Skills Required:
- Experience required listed above with minimum education
- Computer literacy in MS Office and other basic office technology
Preferred Qualifications:
- Working knowledge of CARES
- Four (4) or more years of direct experience
- Bilingual (English & any other language) preferreD
Pre and/or Post Employment Requirements:
- If off-site or school-based , may require: Dept. of Health, Dept. of Education fingerprint clearance; doctor's note certifying good health; proof of negative results from TB test; and State Central Registry (SCR) clearance.
- If off-site or school-based , ability to maintain State Central Registry (SCR) clearance and fingerprint clearance throughout the duration of employment.
Compensation: $50,470.00 to $53,045.00 annually
Status: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Benefits : CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.
CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.