POSITION SUMMARY

The High Impact Prevention Services HIPS for Communities of Color (HIPS) is a New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute funded program aimed at decreasing the risk of HIV transmission. This program focuses on supporting access to and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and addressing social determinants of health that impede individuals from accessing care. The HIPS program focuses on increasing screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV at JPAFHC and in the communities served by JPAFHC in Queens and Brooklyn.

The Employment Specialist is responsible for coordinating employment trainings, assessments, materials, and referrals for HIPS clients. This will include facilitating a bi-monthly workshop series (Job Search, Cover Letter and Resume Writing, Interview Skills), developing educational materials for clients, and assessing the clients job readiness. For clients who need more support, this will include providing individual job search help, cover letter and resume review, and practice interviews. The Employment Specialist will work mainly out of JPAFHC’s patient drop-in centers and will be required to attend outreach events to recruit clients and distribute materials in the communities.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluate participants’ interests, skills, and abilities through vocational assessments
• Build relationships with potential employers and training organizations to assist patients with achieving their career goals
• Conduct job development and job search activities toward positions that are individualized to the needs of the patients 
• Prepare and facilitate workshops relevant workshops (i.e., Job Search, Cover Letter/Resume, and Interview Skills
• Develop an individual employment plan with clients including training and skills needed to obtain employment
• Attend outreach events, as needed, with the outreach team and refer potential clients to the program
• Provide culturally competent education on HIV prevention, PrEP, PEP, and available social services to JPA patients 
• Provide drop-in hours for clients to receive individualized job search; cover letter and resume review; and interview practice
• Supervise drop-in hours at the RITE Centers for patients and clients to use public access computers and assist patients with locating social services, employment services, and other needs
• Coordinate linkages to care for clients seeking ESL, OSHA, GED, and other trainings 
• Prepares and presents appropriate educational and other materials, using harm reduction approaches and evidence-based information
• Support outreach team with planning and coordinating educational outreach events including those targeted to at-risk communities
• Foster relationships with community partners to streamline referrals and linkages to social services 
• Maintain accurate and updated patient records, tracking contacts, counseling, testing, referrals, and outreach performance as defined by evidence-based models, local/state/federal entities, and JPA
• Participate in staff meetings and staff development trainings
• Perform special projects and other job-related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate/Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, English, Marketing, or Education. In lieu of degree, two years minimum work or work/volunteer experience in career development   
• Members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people living with HIV/AIDS are strongly encouraged to apply
• Computer literacy with proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well with electronic medical records preferred
• Demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to handle multiple assignments at any time
• Comfort with working independently and collaboratively
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.