Trainer and Retention Specialist

Title:                  Trainer & Retention Specialist

Program:           Next Step

Salary Range:   $45,000 to $54,000

Program Description:

Currently PRI operates in a hybrid model with staff working three days in the office and two days from home. This is subject to change based on program needs and performance outcome.

Next Step is Project Renewal’s award-winning job placement program which places homeless, formerly homeless, and low-income individuals in competitive employment. Since 2000, Project Renewal has helped nearly 5,000 New Yorkers find and retain employment, achieve economic security, lead more fulfilling lives, and positively contribute to their communities. 

Overall Responsibilities:

The Next Step Trainer and Retention Specialist will be responsible for facilitating workshops designed to enhance the soft skills necessary for clients to succeed in the workplace. They will also be responsible for maintaining a caseload of clients who successfully completed the Next Step Internship Program (NSIP) and are seeking employment as well as employed clients, assisting and supporting them in their current jobs and as they advance in the workplace; gathering current wage, job advancement, and job retention information on clients, and reporting results to the Program Coordinator and Director of Next Step.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Program Coordinator of Next Step, duties include, but are not limited to:

Trainer:

• Manage classroom expectations and address challenges that may arise; escalate to management as needed
• Facilitate a range of in-person and virtual job readiness workshops to prepare clients enrolled in NSIP for their internship opportunity as well as the job market
• Document attendance and client progress in Salesforce and other systems required by funding sources
• Collaborate with Program Coordinator to develop and implement new workshops as needed by new contracts, employers and clients’ needs
• Provide one-on-one job readiness support such as mock interviews and resume/cover letter development
• Assist clients with computer skills and on-line job search
• Collaboration with the Job Development team on onsite hiring events

Case Management

• Ensure that clients are clear of their internship assignment
• Follow up with clients on days one of internship to ensure that they reported to their internship assignment
• Do weekly check in with the clients while they are enrolled in the program
• Document all interactions in the clients’ record in SF
• Address any challenges that may arise and escalate to Program Coordinator as needed
• Coordinate with the Job Developers to secure employment for the clients that successfully completed NSIP

Job Retention Specialist:

• Manage a caseload of employed clients who have successfully completed the program and have secured employment; provide ongoing job retention services that meet program goals
• Obtain job placement and retention (30, 90, 180, 365 days) milestone documentation including pay stubs and employment verification forms
• Coordinate activities designed to help graduates retain jobs and develop new skills to advance in their careers
• Maintain employment data such as wage increases, promotions, resignations, and terminations; and generating reports and statistics
• Communicate with clients’ case management staff to keep them appraised of clients’ workplace progress and to ascertain any developments which may affect clients’ workplace performance

Core Competencies

• Ability to manage classroom engagement and challenges
• Strong attention to details
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Understand the needs of the clients
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work under deadlines and changing priorities
• Ability to produce clear, accurate and well-organized case notes
• Maintain confidentiality of client records
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently

Qualifications:

• B.A. degree strongly preferred
• Excellent presentation and communication skills required
• Prior workshop facilitation experience is required; workforce development facilitation experience is preferred
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) is essential 
• Knowledge of virtual platforms (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, Google Classroom, etc…) is essential
• Preferred: Good working knowledge of Salesforce database

  All newly hired Project Renewal staff must provide verification of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19.