Career Specialist

Overview

POSITION: Career Specialist
REPORTS TO: Disaster Resilience Program Manager
STATUS: Hourly – Non-Exempt– Full-Time

The Career Specialist supports individuals experiencing homelessness by helping them prepare for, secure, and maintain employment as part of their path toward housing stability and self-sufficiency. In addition to workforce development responsibilities, the Career Specialist is a trained member of the Disaster Resilience Team, assisting with client support and operations during extreme weather events and emergencies. This dual role requires flexibility, compassion, and a commitment to trauma-informed care.

• Conduct individual employment assessments to identify strengths, skills, barriers, and career goals.
• Assist clients with creating résumés, completing job applications, preparing for interviews, and navigating online job platforms.
• Provide referrals to vocational training, education programs, and employment partners.
• Build relationships with local employers to identify job openings and coordinate hiring opportunities for shelter guests.
• Monitor job retention and support clients in maintaining employment through regular follow-up.
• Coordinate with housing specialists to support wraparound employment plans.
• Serve as an active member of the Disaster Resilience Team during hurricanes, extreme heat/cold, and other emergencies.
• Assist with shelter operations during activations, including intake, staffing support, and basic needs distribution.
• Provide emergency employment-related assistance, such as replacing IDs or connecting disabled clients with SOAR specialist.
• Participate in disaster preparedness drills and trainings.

• 2+ years of experience in employment services, workforce development, case management, or related field.
• Experience working in shelter, social services, or nonprofit setting strongly preferred.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Must complete FEMA or disaster readiness training upon hire (if not already certified).
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule during disaster activations, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Bilingual (Spanish or Haitian Creole) preferred.

• Ability to support clients with diverse backgrounds and barriers in setting and achieving realistic employment goals.
• Ability to build trust and motivate clients through compassionate, non-judgmental, and strengths-based communication.
• Organized and able to balance caseloads with responsiveness to emergencies.
• Ability to work outdoors during extreme weather conditions (e.g., heat, rain, cold) to assist in locating and bringing unsheltered individuals to safety and shelter.

Disclaimer: This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This description excludes the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to essential job duties.

All duties, responsibilities, and requirements are vital to the job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” employment relationship.