Employer Outreach Specialist (Northeast)

(Hybrid)

Boston, MA

Commonwealth Corporation works with hundreds of Massachusetts companies, thousands of new and experienced workers, and thousands of youth and young adults each year. Among other activities, we:

• Administer the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF), which invests in demand-driven programs designed by industry sector partnerships that train and place unemployed and underemployed job seekers.
• Administer the Workforce Training Fund (WTFP), a trust that awards $20 million in incumbent worker training grants to companies annually;
• Administer YouthWorks, Massachusetts subsidized youth employment program;
• Implement and sell Signal Success, our soft skills and employability curriculum;
• Coordinate education and workforce activities for the states juvenile justice system;

Overview of the DYS Skill Up Initiative:

The Skill Up Career, Technical and Workforce Training, and Employment Services Initiative (SkillUp) is a program developed by the Department of Youth Services (DYS) and managed by Commonwealth Corporation to deliver high-quality career development, technical training, and workforce programming and services that are aligned with local labor market needs within or across the five DYS geographic regions in Massachusetts. The initiative aims to reduce recidivism for DYS youth through the provision of high-quality services leading to employment with benefits at family-sustaining wages. Additionally, the initiative seeks to reduce employment barriers and provide career, technical, and workforce training that improves opportunities and reduces access and engagement barriers for youth as they transition back to the community from their residential treatment programs. A key component of this effort is the ability to increase career, technical and workforce training and employment opportunities for DYS youth by building employer partnerships the primary role of the Employer Outreach Specialists.

The Employer Outreach Specialist (EOS) will assist in the administrative and operational aspects of youth employment placement in the Northeast Region of Massachusetts. This position covers the entire region and will require travel throughout the region and in some instances throughout the state and flexibility to do so will be required.

Develop a Network of Employer Partners

• 
  Outreach to build employers and training providers and sustain existing partnerships that can provide employment and training opportunities to youth
• Collaborate with partners to find employer relationships for youth based on current labor market needs and youth interests
• Collaborate both internally and externally across the entire partnership to make connections between the employment needs of youth and existing CommCorp programs that relate to career readiness
• Coordinate youth job placements by brokering the relationship with the network and existing DYS partnerships supporting the youth in employment pathway

Facilitate and aid in the development of an Employer Advisory Committee of decision-making personnel representative of employers in various industries.

• Develop a network of community-based organizations and employers that can support job opportunities for youth; this must include at least one corporate partnership related to an industry/ vocation that youth are exploring in the Northeast Region of Massachusetts
• Developing mutually beneficial relationships with employers in the Northeast Region of Massachusetts
• Convene and facilitate monthly meetings with the Employer Advisory Committee members

Support training and outreach activities to develop staffs knowledge of employability resources

• Support the DYS staff that supports that initiative to assist in the coordination of efforts for youth training and employment opportunities
• Broker connections to resources established through EOS networks
• Assist with the development and facilitation of employability resource training for staff and youth

Database Management

• 
  Maintain database employer partners
• Monitor where youth are being placed for employment and their activity at the employment site

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience supervising a team of professionals
• Experience leading community outreach initiatives
• Strong knowledge of best practices and current trends related to vocational, employability, and workforce development programming for youth.
• Experience with system-involved youth is preferred, particularly youth involved with the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate the development and maintenance of partnerships and/or relationships with organizations and individuals that are mutually beneficial and enhance the partnership's abilities to meet the needs of youth in the care of DYS.
• Ability to communicate and work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to think creatively and utilize problem-solving skills.
• Proven commitment to social justice and equity, particularly relating to youth placed at risk.
• Excellent writing skills, organizational skills, communication, and facilitation skills.

Research suggests that qualified women and Black & Indigenous POC may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive at CommCorp to apply for this role.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with or for youth placed at risk and as a workforce development professional is required.
• Excellent communication and writing skills including proficiency in standard office computer applications are required.
• This position will be located in the DYS Northeast region and will include traveling and working in various locations across the state.
• Must be willing to work in DYS facilities and settings and have a valid Massachusetts drivers license and car are required. The final candidate will be required to submit to a comprehensive background check, and complete Basic Training coursework administered and facilitated by DYS in Central, MA.

Commonwealth Corporation offers generous and very competitive benefits packaging, including:

• 13.2% Employer contribution (Vested 100% on day 1 of hire)
• Health insurance (83% employer / 17% employee)
• HRA (Health Reimbursement Account) (Employer pays first 75% of participant deductible expenses)
• Dental insurance (80% employer / 20% employee)
• Vision Insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• 3 weeks accrued paid vacation per year
• Generous paid sick time
• Short-Term, Long-Term and AD&D Insurance
• Life Insurance up to $250,000
• Employer funded pension plan
• Voluntary employee retirement plan options
• Pre-tax parking and commuter benefits (debit card)
• Health Flexible Spending Account (debit card)
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (debit card)

Commonwealth Corporation does not contribute to Social Security; however, in lieu of such contribution Commonwealth Corporation will contribute on a biweekly basis the equivalent of 13.2% of your salary to a 401(a) employee retirement plan. This plan is administered by Nationwide where you are vested 100% on day 1 of hire ( No waiting period).

Commonwealth Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Commonwealth Corporation is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce where talent with varied backgrounds is valued, and team members are supported along their professional journeys. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Employees hired as of date will be offered employment contingent upon vaccination suitability. Under the minimum entrance requirement section of the job posting, the following may be stated:

As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. In addition, applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.