Job Developer - job 1 of 4

As a Job Developer at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Harrisburg, PA, you'll be pivotal in connecting participants with job opportunities. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing a strategic plan for placement services, maintaining relationships with employers, customizing resumes for participants, and managing a caseload of individuals to ensure they secure suitable employment. You'll also be tasked with achieving placement goals and documenting all activities in our Salesforce system, all while advocating for the needs of our participants.

To thrive as a Job Developer at CEO, candidates should ideally possess experience in workforce development, recruitment, or sales, showcasing the ability to meet performance goals. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are crucial as you'll be interacting with diverse personalities. A passion for social justice and an understanding of the challenges faced by justice-involved individuals are also essential, along with resilience and adaptability under pressure in this impactful role.

The Job Developer role at CEO has a profound positive impact on the Harrisburg community by facilitating employment for individuals re-entering society after incarceration. Your work not only helps participants secure jobs but also contributes to reducing recidivism rates, promoting stability for families and communities. By connecting local employers with skilled individuals, you’ll play a crucial role in fostering inclusivity and second chances within the workforce.

A Job Developer at the Center for Employment Opportunities can expect a competitive salary of $47,250, alongside a comprehensive benefits package. This includes medical and dental coverage, professional development opportunities, paid parental leave, a retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, as well as paid holidays. Furthermore, the work environment prioritizes continuous learning and fosters teamwork through various staff activities.

While prior experience in re-entry services is not strictly required for the Job Developer position at CEO, candidates with such backgrounds are encouraged to apply due to their valuable insights and understanding of the challenges faced by justice-involved individuals. CEO values diverse experiences and is especially interested in those with lived experiences of incarceration, as they often possess a unique perspective that can enrich our mission.

When responding to this question, share specific instances where you contributed to workforce development initiatives, showcasing your ability to connect job seekers with suitable opportunities. Highlight any metrics or outcomes that demonstrate your effectiveness in this area, such as placement rates or successful partnerships formed.

Discuss your strategies for reaching out to and maintaining relationships with employers. Emphasize the importance of understanding their hiring needs and how you communicate the value of hiring participants from CEO. Use specific examples to illustrate your networking success.

Elaborate on the tools or techniques you use to assess participants' skills and interests, such as interviews, assessments, or one-on-one coaching sessions. Explain how you tailor your approach to fit individual needs to ensure the right job placements.

Share your time management strategies, such as prioritizing tasks and using tools like calendars or project management software. Give examples of how you balance multiple cases and meet deadlines while ensuring participants receive the support they need.

Be prepared to share a detailed story of a participant who you successfully placed in a job. Discuss the challenges faced, the approach you took in matching them with the employer, and the positive outcome that followed. This demonstrates your impact in the role.

Address this by explaining your mindset when faced with challenges, such as viewing setbacks as learning opportunities. Provide an example of a specific setback you encountered and the strategies you implemented to overcome it, showcasing resilience.

Discuss the importance of empathy in understanding the participants' journeys and challenges. Explain how it influences your approach to coaching, supporting, and advocating for them throughout the job search process, ensuring a compassionate connection.

If you have experience with Salesforce or similar case management software, describe it. Talk about how you utilize technology to document interactions and manage participant progress effectively, and be honest if you need to learn this aspect.

Explain how you set your own performance goals and regularly review them against organizational metrics, discussing tools or techniques you employ to track progress. Share specific examples of how you've successfully met or exceeded these metrics in the past.

Articulate your passion for social justice and the mission of CEO in your answer. Highlight any personal connections to the mission, as well as the skills and experiences that align with the role. This shows sincerity in your motivation to contribute to their cause.