Job Developer, Opportunity Youth Program (Queens)

The Opportunity Youth Programs at Commonpoint provide services to out of school and out of work youth, ages 17-24. Opportunity Youth Programs include GED classes, Vocational Training Classes, Internship, and Employment Assistance. We serve youth who have dropped out of high school, are pregnant or parenting, receiving foster care services, are engaged with the juvenile justice system, experiencing homelessness, had an IEP in high school, reside in high poverty areas, or who are unemployed.

Position Summary: This is a fast paced position that requires strong analytical and customer service skills and excellent problem-solving ability. Candidates should be outgoing, self motivated, and able to work independently. In addition, the Job Developer must be highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. The Job Developer is expected to demonstrate direct knowledge of the agency’s mission, offerings, and student base, and to innovate and advocate for organizational change.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build strong working relationships with participants to support them in securing and maintaining meaningful, long-term employment.

• Conduct comprehensive vocational assessments and provide career counseling, including referrals to appropriate occupational skills training.

• Guide participants through all aspects of the job search process, including resume development, online job applications, mock interviews, and networking strategies.

• Meet program goals by enrolling participants into internships, achieving quarterly job placement targets across various industries (with an emphasis on medical and allied health fields), and maintaining monthly retention benchmarks.

• Provide individualized coaching and employment support to youth and adults with limited work experience and educational attainment.

• Collaborate with Case Managers to help participants develop workplace readiness, professional behaviors, and social skills that promote long-term employment and career advancement.

• Develop and maintain partnerships with employers, businesses, and community-based organizations to identify employment opportunities aligned with participants’ interests and career goals.

• Advocate for participants by collaborating with internal staff and external partners to remove barriers to employment.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including weekly tracking reports, employer and participant databases, retention reports, and data entry into funder-required systems.

• Coordinate with Opportunity Youth staff to facilitate referrals to supportive services and assist participants in achieving their education and employment goals.

• Conduct weekly worksite visits to collect timesheets, monitor participant progress, and ensure positive internship and employment experiences.

Attend required staff meetings, training, and professional development activities. Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team while demonstrating the ability to work independently and manage priorities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Counseling, Workforce Development, or a related field required.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in workforce development, recruiting, human resources, employment services, or a related field.

Experience working with Opportunity Youth or other populations facing barriers to employment. Demonstrated success in a goal-driven environment with responsibility for achieving enrollment, placement, retention, or other performance outcomes.

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to facilitate meetings, workshops, and one-on-one coaching sessions.

Strong organizational, time management, and documentation skills with attention to detail. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Slides), PDF software, and general computer applications.

• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including immigrants, young adults, English language learners, single parents, and individuals with significant barriers to employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, or a related field.

• Experience working with DYCD Workforce Development programs, including Train & Earn or similar initiatives.

• Knowledge of workforce databases and case management systems, …