Category Archives: Labor and Community Job Opportunities

CASES – Training and Placement Coordinator

Reports to: Director of Youth Employment Services
Overview: The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services

CASES’ youth programs aim to help New York City’s justice-involved young people, ranging in age from 13-24, to lead productive, crime-free lives. Our approach is distinguished by individualized case management, evidence-based programming, and group activities that build positive peer associations. For many, this is the first time in their lives that they are participating in activities that help them set personal goals and develop
the skills they need to reach them.

The Intellectual and Career Development unit strives to integrate education and training with employment. We offer services that emphasize the need for continued training and learning regardless of the industry or career field. This role will work with the ICD team to ensure services are provided to youth in our programs. This position will split time between out Downtown Brooklyn office and our Harlem office.

Responsibilities:
• Initiate and maintain ongoing contacts with a variety of business and industry representatives and job placement/training agencies to promote programs for participant placement;
• Collect data from employers related to job openings including job requirements and skills and use this data to prepare applicants;
• Instruct participants in resume writing, job search and interviewing techniques;
• Facilitate workshops for on-site credentialing opportunities;
• Create relevant and appropriate curricula for job-readiness workshops;
• Collaborate with service team that includes case coordinators, teachers, social workers and other staff to establish an appropriate employment plan
• Be informed of best practices and standards in the fields of workforce development, including labor-market trends;
• Attend networking events and share information with the team;
• Coordinate career fairs quarterly;
• Maintain contact with participants to ensure support and guidance with job/training program retention;
• Administer the TASC exam for CASES Youth Programs, and;
• Collaborate with the SYEP team

Qualifications:
• Minimum of BA/BS degree or equivalent experience;
• Demonstrated ability to engage, teach, and motivate youth;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse group of staff, clients, and external partners;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Comfortable networking in the public and private sector;
• Comfortable traveling throughout the 5-bouroughs, and;
• Ability to pass written and computer assessments

Salary: $40,000

How to Apply: E-mail cover letter and resume with salary history and requirements in PDF or Word format to casesjobs@cases.org. Please list the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line. No phone calls please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

CASES is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with CASES is based solely on
qualifications and competence for a particular position, without regard to race, color, ethnic or national
origin, age, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, military, or citizenship status.

We also actively recruit individuals with prior involvement in the criminal justice system.

3 Positions at Seedco

1) Director of Program Development

Location: NYC

Reporting to the SVP for Development and External Affairs, the Director of Program Development oversees and manages the identification of opportunities, the development of program concepts, and the preparation of Federal, State and other government, and private, grant applications, funder reports and renewals. The Director of Program Development plays a vital role in ensuring the growth and sustainability of Seedco programs.

Primary Job Functions:

  • Oversee a program development team consisting of staff who specialize in research, prospecting, grant-writing, budgeting, quality improvement, and administrative support.

  • Work closely with senior program staff to analyze funding opportunities, assess and set priorities, strategic directions and develop appropriate program models

  • Identify, research and plan for new and recurring government funding opportunities at the Federal, state level, and city levels (in all Seedco territory)

  • Oversee and project-manage the application preparation process including production of summaries, work plans, budgets, attachments, and narratives according to the specific requirements of each funder and each RFP or NOFA.

  • Understand program successes, challenges and opportunities in order to develop competitive proposals and strong reports.

  • Review all funder reports prepared by program staff and ensure they meet the contractual requirements for reporting as well as accurately represent the completed activities.

  • Develop and refine internal processes for prospecting, opportunity analysis, decision-making, quality improvement, and work plans.

  • Ensure that programmatic best practices are integrated into every submission.

  • Supervise the members of the program development team, including hiring consulting project managers and writers when necessary

  • Contribute to and participate in foundation and other private resource development efforts in coordination with the SVP.

  • Coordinate the collection and utilization of qualitative and quantitative past performance information to demonstrate Seedco’s experience and capacity for similar proposed initiatives.

Supervisory Reports: 

Grant Writer/Program Associate, Quality Improvement & Grants Planning Manager, and Development Coordinator

Total staff: 3 in-house; multiple consultants and project managers

 Interacts with:

Staff from Programs, Fiscal, and Legal.

Education and Related Work Experience:

  • Bachelor’s Degree. Graduate degree preferred or 5+ years of fundraising experience

  • At least 5-10+ years of experience in social services

  • Experience in workforce development, benefits access or technical assistance desirable

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

  • Exceptionally strong research, grant-writing, and project management skills

  • Expertise in supervising multiple staff and managing highly collaborative work processes

  • Strong understanding of government policies, trends, and funding streams

  • Must be organized, detail-oriented and work effectively while juggling multiple deadlines

  • Proven facility with data management and analysis, budgeting, quality improvement (logical frameworks), and database tracking systems.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position.  These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

Seedco is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Criminal background check required.

 How to Apply:

Interested applicants should send their resume and a brief cover letter with salary requirements to:  jobopenings15-003@seedco.org with the subject line “Director of Program Development Ref#15-003″. Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to personally acknowledge the receipt and status of each one. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

 

2)  Part-Time Earn Benefits Specialist

 Location: Baltimore

The part-time EarnBenefits Specialist connects long-term unemployed individuals and their families to a wide range of income-enhancing benefits that have a proven impact on maintaining employment and helping families build assets. The Specialist will help coordinate and deliver EarnBenefits services at workforce centers throughout the Baltimore Metro Area, including Baltimore City and Baltimore County.  Travel to Harford and Cecil Counties will also be necessary from time to time.

 EarnBenefits is a comprehensive approach to providing low-wage workers and their families with the resources needed to achieve continuous employment, make ends meet and build assets.  EarnBenefits activities include educating individuals, community groups, small businesses, and others about the public and private benefits available to people in need.

 Primary Job Functions:

  • Provides courteous, professional and confidential one-on-one benefits screening and application assistance using Seedco’s EarnBenefits Online (EBO) tool to help customers at a variety of locations access and maintain benefits such as health insurance, food assistance, tax credits, and more.

  • Follow-up with clients and document outcomes in EBO.

  • Assists customers with troubleshooting problems that may arise while applying for benefits.

  • Provides support to the Deputy Director and recommends ideas to enhance EarnBenefits.

  • Helps to design and implement outreach strategies and materials to raise awareness of the services provided through the EarnBenefits program.

Qualifications:

  • GED or High School diploma required; college degree preferred.

  • One to three years of work experience required.

  • Experience working with community-based organizations and/or local Department of Social Services offices a plus.

  • Driver’s license with clear driving record (insurable)

  • Excellent computer skills; including familiarity with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the ability to browse the Web comfortably; experience with database software a plus.

  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and customer service skills.

  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

  • Experience and comfort speaking in public.

  • Bilingual in Spanish preferred, but not required.

Other Special Considerations:

  • Ability to travel locally around the Baltimore Metro Area required.

This job is performed under general office conditions, and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position.  These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

Seedco is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Criminal background check required.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should send their resume and a brief cover letter with salary requirements to:  jobopenings14-025@seedco.org with the subject line “PT EB Specialist Ref#14-025″. Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to personally acknowledge the receipt and status of each one. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

 

3) AmeriCorps Member

Location: NYC Headquarters

Seedco is a national nonprofit intermediary that advances economic opportunity for people, businesses, and communities in need. Seedco is recruiting for members to serve a full-time, 12 month term (March 2015 – March 2016) at one of its community-based organization (CBO) partner sites throughout New York City. Seedco’s dedicated AmeriCorps members are critical to the success of our work and family supports programs, which help low-income families meet their basic needs and improve their economic security.

AmeriCorps members participating in Seedco’s program will deliver employment post-placement services to workforce development clients at local community-based organizations in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan. Members will perform activities that support career case management, job retention, career advancement, and financial literacy for workforce development participants. These activities include: collecting employment documents, assisting clients to create employment plans, assisting clients with budgets and accessing credit reports, assisting clients with resumes and cover letters in support of gaining employment, answering job related questions and proving clients feedback with the goal of maintaining employment.

By focusing on these activities, Seedco’s AmeriCorps members will play a vital role in improving the long-term employment outcomes and economic stability for economically disadvantaged clients, while simultaneously achieving and recognizing concrete impacts from their work. Each identified activity provides services at the partner organization that would, due to limited funding for post-placement services, otherwise be unavailable. Populations serviced are diverse, low income New York City residents, in need.

In addition, Seedco’s AmeriCorps members will provide more intensive service delivery to clients seeking employment and employed  clients,  than is often possible for staff caseworkers. In this way, Seedco’s AmeriCorps program allows its partners to effect community change significantly.

For more information, please visit: seedco.org | ebo.earnbenefits.org | nationalservice.gov/programs/Americorps

Primary Job Functions of AmeriCorps members:

Seedco’s AmeriCorps members will perform the following activities:

1. Career case management services including retention services, addressing barriers to success and advancement in the work world , and documenting  employment and retention milestones.

This will include: a) Conducting follow-up calls and meetings with employed program participants to discuss employment successes, review goals and career plans, and provide recommendations for addressing challenges; b) Meeting regularly with clients to identify and facilitate wraparound services and referrals, such as legal services and benefits enrollment support; c) Collecting documentation such as paystubs and employer verification to document achievements and program specific success for each client’s file.

2. Assisting with job placement services, primarily replacement jobs and advancement opportunities.

This will include: a) Working with clients to create and edit employment and career development plans; b) Following up on employment opportunities for program participants who need replacement jobs and advancement opportunities; c) Working with clients to update resumes to reflect skills and recent employment experiences; d) Providing one-on-one assistance with cover letters and interview prep; and e) Assisting in trainings for industry-specific job readiness and job readiness skills and workshops.

 3. Financial literacy and education including benefits screening where applicable.

This will include: a) Working with clients to identify their financial obligations and resources; b) Helping clients create budgets and use budget planning tools; c) Providing clients with linkages to support services that support their move towards financial independence, such as banks with no fee accounts and free tax services; and d) Assisting staff in the delivery of financial literacy workshops.

4. Additional work and family support services such as benefits outreach and enrollment.

This will include: a) Screening clients for health insurance, SNAP, and other public benefits programs, to support the provision of wraparound services that help client move towards financial stability; and b) Recruiting and mobilizing volunteer staff to conduct outreach to potential clients and provide other services.

  • Lead and assist with financial literacy workshops to clients on topics such as benefits access, credit, and budgeting

  • Attend regular professional development sessions, and networking and special events, to enhance your professional skills and gain career guidance

  • Develop CBO approved service project to address identified needs in CBO service area

  • Participate in trainings on topics such as work supports, financial education, and tax preparation; and earn IRS certification to file taxes

  • Conduct community outreach to increase awareness of benefits and work support programs, including outreach for Seedco’s Navigator program

Qualifications:

  • Commitment to serving for 12 months in a low-income community

  • Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred; minimum of high school diploma/GED

  • Customer service or social service experience preferred, particularly in low-income communities

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

  • Strong computer skills required ( Database, excel, Microsoft Office Suite)

  • Excellent people skills

  • Ability to work independently

  • Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends, as required

  • Bilingual skills in Spanish preferred, but not required

  • Knowledge of government benefit programs a plus

  • Experience preparing tax returns a plus

Other Considerations:

This is a 12 month, full-time position. Members receive a $15,500 living allowance (stipend) plus benefits, including health coverage, a monthly Metro card, student loan forbearance during service, an end-of-service Educational Award of $5,500, and child care assistance (if eligible).

 According to federal guidelines of the AmeriCorps program, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Americorpsjobs@seedco.org.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position.  These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

Labor Educator Job Opening

The Labor Education Service (LES) at the University of Minnesota is seeking a full-time labor educator to join our teaching staff.

Job responsibilities include leading non-credit labor education courses for working adults, analyzing the educational needs of worker organizations, designing customized curriculum, and coordinating and implementing educational programs, often in collaboration with other staff. The position requires teaching expertise using varied and interactive methods, experience with labor unions and/or worker centers or community organizing, and effectiveness in relating to a wide variety of workers and groups.

The Labor Education Service was founded in 1951 and is part of the Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The Twin Cities rank in the nation’s top five livable metropolitan areas, recognized internationally as a center of arts and culture. Minnesota’s progressive heritage is embodied in its vibrant labor, environmental and community activism.

For the complete job description, qualifications and a link to apply, see:
http://carlsonschool.umn.edu/faculty-research/labor-education-service

Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application deadline is June 3, 2015.
Questions: Call 612-624-5020 or email LES@umn.edu

Association of Pennsylvania College and University Faculties (APSCUF) Seeks Organizer

The Association of Pennsylvania College and University Faculties (APSCUF) seeks a highly motivated organizer. This is a full-time permanent position primarily focused on internal organizing of faculty and coaches at Pennsylvania’s 14 publicly-owned universities. The organizer will work with APSCUF office managers at the 14 universities to build leadership capacity of union members, recruit new members, plan and coordinate targeted and comprehensive campaigns, and develop and instruct labor education programs. The position may also involve some external organizing. Previous experience in union or community organizing preferred. Community education experience also valued. This position requires attending regular meetings in Harrisburg and travel throughout Pennsylvania.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Recruit new union members
• Identify union leaders and establish a leadership council with representatives from each university
• Develop and provide formal and informal training to local officers on the collective bargaining agreement, workplace related issues, internal union administration, and applicable labor legislation
• Collaborate with local officers, APSCUF staff, and with leaders and organizers of other campus groups
• Conduct one-on-one visits, site visits, meetings, and other interaction with members and potential members
• Assess members for activist engagement
• Coordinate activities of the Mobilization Committee, evaluate the effectiveness of planned actions, and monitor member participation in meetings and events
• Develop and implement programs and campaigns under the supervision of the union executive; identify and propose new campaigns where appropriate
• Maintain a database of relevant information
• Work with APSCUF communications staff to develop organizing and membership materials
• Attend staff, campus, and statewide meetings
• Work cooperatively with other unions
• Provide regular reports to leadership

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Dedication to the union movement and affordable higher education
• Experience designing, executing, and evaluating programs and campaigns
• Excellent listening, oral, and written communication skills; outreach experience preferred
• Motivated, responsible, organized, professional, and detail-oriented
• Willing to work with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Able to work independently and collaboratively
• Willingness to work irregular hours and some nights and weekends on occasion
• Basic computer skills and the ability to learn the organization’s computer programs
• Valid U. S. driver’s license and proof of auto insurance
• Ability to spend significant time at each of the fourteen campuses

COMPENSATION:
Salary is commensurate with experience. APSCUF provides a generous benefit package, which includes health care and retirement.

APSCUF is an equal opportunity employer.

TO APPLY
To be considered for this position, please provide the following:
• A cover letter expressing interest in the position
• A current resume reflecting qualifications for this position
• Three relevant references with contact information

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The position will stay open until filled
Application can be mailed: President, APSCUF, 319 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101; faxed to 717-236-1883; or emailed to ldemko@apscuf.org.

Full-Time Research Associate at Center for Popular Democracy

The Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) is seeking a full-time Research Associate to work on economic justice, immigrants’ rights and/or racial justice policy initiatives and campaigns.

The Center for Popular Democracy builds organizing power and transforms the local and state policy landscape through deep, long-term partnerships with leading community organizing groups and labor unions nationwide. CPD collaborates with partners to build their internal strength, infrastructure and capacity – and to envision and win campaigns, with a particular focus on efforts to move a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial justice agenda at the city and state level.

The Research Associate will join CPD’s strategic research team, and will collaborate closely with CPD’s organizing and policy staff, as well as staff and constituents from our partner organizations. The Research Associate will work on a range of projects, including exploratory campaign research, data gathering and analysis, creation of campaign materials (including reports for CPD and our partner organizations), and community education activities.

CPD is currently involved in over 40 active campaigns and projects. Examples of recent research can be found on our website (populardemocracy.org) and include:

  • Economic Justice & Worker Rights: examined how racial disparities are caused by national monetary policy, examined the demographics of hourly workforces, projected impacts of increased minimum wage in cities and states
  • Immigrant Rights & Racial Justice: projected savings to the social safety net of universal defense for detained immigrants facing deportation, exposed the racial disparities in foreclosures, examined the racial disparities in transit service and funding in a region
  • Organizational Infrastructure Research: progressive-movement infrastructure in 18 states

In addition, the CPD Research team supports researchers based at our partner organizations and runs a social justice research fellowship program to train new researchers.

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who have:

  • A demonstrated commitment to social justice issues
  • Excellent research, writing, and analytic skills
  • A demonstrated ability to learn new issue areas and produce high-quality, accessible reports and other documents on short timelines
  • An ability to juggle multiple projects at a time and work in a fast-paced environment
  • A demonstrated commitment to meeting high standards and a history of getting things done even in the face of obstacles
  • At least four years of experience in a related field preferred

Generous salary and benefits package, based on experience.

How to apply:

To apply a please submit cover letter, resume, and short (3- to 5-page) writing sample through our hiring portal:

https://cpd.hiringthing.com/job/20952/full-time-research-associate

Cover letters should address the reasons you are interested in a Research Associate position with the Center for Popular Democracy and how this position relates to your prior experience and future career goals.

CPD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, women, individuals with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community.