Employment Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits :

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

About BHI

Build Hope, Inc. (BHI) is a nonprofit affiliate of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), created to deliver resident-focused programs that support education, digital access, economic mobility, and wellness across public housing communities. As a young and fast-growing organization, BHI is building out its internal systems while navigating a unique relationship with HACLA, requiring close coordination, public-private alignment, and the development of independent infrastructure over time.

Position Summary

The BHI Employment Specialist plays a pivotal role in guiding public housing youth within the City of Los Angeles toward successful career paths. This position focuses on providing comprehensive support to young individuals as they explore their professional aspirations, establish clear goals, pinpoint their strengths, and formulate actionable plans to achieve their objectives.

A key function of this role involves cultivating strong relationships with employers across a diverse range of industries. The BHI Employment Specialist acts as a crucial liaison, facilitating access to valuable opportunities such as internships, specialized job training programs, and sustainable job placements. Through careful assessment and personalized guidance, the specialist effectively matches residents with suitable training and employment roles that align with their skills, interests, and career ambitions.

This demanding yet rewarding position requires a distinctive combination of competencies. Successful candidates will demonstrate exceptional relationship-building skills, enabling them to connect effectively with both youth participants and potential employers. Strategic thinking is essential for developing tailored career development plans and identifying optimal pathways for each individual. Furthermore, an in-depth understanding of the current job market is critical to identifying emerging opportunities and advising youth on relevant skills and industries.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Key Responsibilities of the Employment Specialist include :

• Generate, build and manage new employment and vocational partnerships
• Develop and maintain working relationships with local employers, creating long-term stable placement opportunities for program participants
• Develop and coordinate linkages with job skills training resources in high-demand fields
• Place residents (prospective candidates) into internships, on-the-job training, and permanent employment based on skills and experience.
• Conduct employability assessments of potential participants, this includes, but is not limited to assessing level of ability, readiness for work, physical and mental capabilities of participants, educational background, skills and identification of challenges and barriers to employment
• Assist residents with Resume and Cover Letter development
• Helps clients create compelling resumes and cover letters that highlight their skills and experience.
• Interview Preparation
• Prepares clients for interviews through mock interviews, resume reviews, and practice questions
• Conducts Workshops and Group Sessions
• Host job fairs and employer roundtables to strengthen career pathways
• Participate and attend networking, recruitment and outreach events, business meetings, employment related functions and general meetings
• Maintain database of job listings and opportunities as well as job placement
• Follow up with placed participants providing support and recording successes

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with community partners, employers, and stakeholders to expand employment opportunities.
• Partner with WorkSource Centers, HACLAs Section 3 team, and other workforce organizations to streamline referrals and enhance employment services.
• Represent BHI at community meetings, conferences, and public forums to strengthen visibility and engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of experience in workforce development, economic mobility programs, or employment services, preferably in nonprofit or government settings. Or, 3+ years of successful business to business sales experience.
• Experience building and maintaining employer partnerships to create job opportunities for youth and adults.
• Familiarity with federal and local workforce development policies, including Section 3, WorkSource Centers, and youth employment programs.
• Strong ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder collaborations and manage relationships with employers, funders, and community partners.
• Excellent communication skills with demonstrable ability to write effectively, speak persuasively, and listen attentively.
• Familiarity with the Los Angeles context, particularly issues affecting public housing and low-income communities, is highly desired.
• Deep commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusivity, with an ability to work effectively in multicultural settings.
• Must possess a valid California Class "C" Driver's License and current insurance.
• Driver with own vehicle required

Key Competencies

• Adaptability & Resilience Flexible and solutions-focused, ready to tackle new challenges in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Acts as a role model and mentor to program participants by exhibiting professionalism at all times in regards to respectful communication (oral and written) and interactions, job search and retention counseling, keeping scheduled appointments, following through with any agreements with participants, and holding clients accountable to program participation requirements
• Promotes and demonstrates cooperation and teamwork
• Creative problem solver; visualizes opportunities for success and
• Connector; builds relationships with employers, partner organizations, and residents

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 15 pounds.

Ability to travel locally for community meetings, site visits, and employer engagement as well as to various public housing developments.

Additional Responsibilities :

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may be asked to perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Additional Information :

Anticipated start date : January 8, 2026. Final salary will be within the posted range and determined based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.