Job Description:

Salary $45,000 year

Title: Reentry Employment Specialist – Linking Employment Activities Pre-Release (LEAP) Program

Classification: Non-Exempt

Scope of Position

The LEAP Facilitator provides Lehigh County Jail inmates with critical job readiness and employability skills needed to secure employment once released. This position provides instruction to the LEAP participants pre-release within the American Job Center located in the jail, delivering a workforce curriculum, career pathway planning, and strategies that minimize employment barriers for returning citizens.

Essential Functions

· Partner with jail staff to recruit, inform, educate and enroll eligible inmates into the LEAP Project

· Effectively deliver job readiness and employability skills instruction using JOBTECH curriculum in both small group and individual settings to transitioning offenders to ultimately place them in jobs and reduce recidivism rates

· Counsel, motivate, and encourage job seekers in advancing employment, training, and retention goals and provides strategies that mitigate successful job placement and retention for participants

· Administer and interpret career interest and other appropriate assessments to participants

· Model a positive classroom environment that emulates the workforce through appropriate communication, team building, solution focused decision making, and self-management strategies

· Ensure the coordination of regular on-site, education and training activities by CareerLink staff, community partners and area employers

· Work with jail staff to collect and analyze information about LEAP participants through records, personal interviews and workforce ready assessments to help with career and occupational advising and planning

· Maintain current knowledge about instructional strategies, assessments and labor market information applicable to returning citizens and regional Second Chance employers

· Keep current and accurate records of participants’ progress and maintain participant tracking and files

· Provide accurate and timely submission of required program data to ensure real time reporting needs

· Work directly with LEAP participants, the Lehigh County Jail, and PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley to help participants transition seamlessly between the LEAP Center and the Jail and PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley

· Other opportunities as available

Education and Experience Requirements

· Experience in classroom instruction and ability to interact with a diverse population with varied educational functioning levels.

· Bachelors’ degree or comparable experience in education/training, workforce, criminal justice or a related field

· Proven success in educational training, career counseling or corrections work with returning citizens and meeting prescribed goals

· Excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills

· Successful candidate will be required to obtain all necessary security clearances

· Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation is required

EDSI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.