Individual Development Specialist

INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENTSPECIALIST

About Cara Collective

CaraCollectiveseeksto fuel a courageous national movement to eradicate relational and financial poverty. Throughourthree entities Cara Cleanslate and Cara Plus weengage job seekers employers and other organizations across the country to break the cycle of poverty through the power and purpose of employment.

We believe there is an incredible untapped talent pool in our country onecomprisedof people often experiencing homelessness and poverty. Our job is to unlock the strengths they already have and open new opportunities togainfulemployment. We do this by takingthe insights learned over the past 30 years to prepare job seekers and equip other organizations and employers with practices to build a more inclusive economy.

To ensure that we are centering our work around the individuals and communities we serve Cara Collective commits to taking an inclusive and equitably approach in all we do: in our program design diverse representation in our staff partnerships we choose to enter and our external and internal communications and policies. Weleverageour individuality and differences as a way of deepening community and expandingopportunityin and around our organization.

Discover the impact we are making and explore the impressive numbers behind our success at.

About the Cara CollectiveCoachingTeam

Cara Collectives team of coaches known as Individual Development Specialists (IDS) work closely with participants as they develop socio-emotional skills and workplace competencies through experiential learning and classroom curricula. This training is then applied in real-world work environments helping participants succeed in their professional journeys.

As part of a new initiative and strategic direction Cara is committed to enhancing the participant experience by expanding our services and program model to reach and support more individuals. The IDS team plays a key role in this effort by providing direct coaching services to individuals facing the most significant barriers to employment.

The IDS teamis responsible forsupporting Cara Collectives goal of achieving 70% one-year job retention for permanent placements. This isaccomplishedthrough comprehensive assessments personalized coaching relationships and consistent communicationcombining support and accountability to drive participant success.

Outcomes for this role are measured by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)establishedby the Chief Program Officer and theSeniorManager of Coaching&Retention.

About the Role

An Individual Development Specialist provides one-on-one face-to-face coaching to assess and address needs at home on the job and within oneself. By building meaningful individualized relationships the IDS team is present through a Cara Collective participants first year of employment-- supporting advising and reinforcing key training lessons to build solutions to any bump in the road. An IDS works withtheirteam as well as with the overall organization in achieving the goal of not just employment but employment retention.

Qualifications

We are excited to offer this opportunity for a passionate individual to join our team and ourCommunity. This role is ideal for a proactive relationship-focused professional eager to contribute to workforce development and help individuals secure meaningful permanent employment.

The ideal candidate will be inspired by Cara Collectives mission and committed to working in an environment dedicated to racial equity and breaking the cycle of poverty. They should bea self-starter energized by fostering strong partnerships highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and committed to continuous learning. They shouldpossessexcellent interpersonal skillsa strong desireto collaborate as a team player and approach challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset. They should excel in interacting with participants and employer partnersdemonstratingproblem-solving skills to support successful employment placements.

While prior experience in a social justice organization or with workforce development is notrequired it is considered a plus.

Requirements:

• At least one year of professional experience withindividuals effected byaddiction and recovery homelessness domestic violence mentalhealthand/or Illinois criminal justice system a plus

• Coaching/mentoring skills and ability ideally with experience supporting individuals in both professional and personal goals

• Proven record of outstanding client service including relationship-building crisis de-escalation and active listening

• Demonstrated work history of providing direct services topopulationof interest.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Cara Collectives transformative work while growing your career in workforce development. If you are ready to make an impact we encourage you to apply!

The Responsibilities of the Individual Development Specialist

Pre-Employment Coaching (80%)

• Establish authentic supportive relationships with participants.

• Coach individuals to employability (job-readiness personal stability) by developing collaborative goals with the participant toaccomplish.

• Work closely with Cara Collectives Training teamidentifyred-flagsin any participants behavior or performance and work with individual on action steps toimprovedprofessionalism communication conflict management etc.

• Organize and prioritize workload to ensure participants needs are metin a timely mannerand are successful in the program.

Employment Retention Coaching (10%)

• Accountable for the job retention of participants for at least 1 year

• Maintain relationship/communication with employed participants including regular face-to-face meetings

• Encourage and motivate employed participants to reach their personal and professional goals

• Collaborate with Cara Collectives corporate employment partners to ensure top-rate retention and continued partnership with hiring companies.

• Travel to various Cara Collective locations in the city and to participants work locations as needed

Organizational Tasks (10%)

• Prepare individual outcomes reports upholding a high standard of data integrity in Salesforce

• Maintain internal Salesforce database to document needs progress and communications on all participants

• Play an active part in onboarding and mentoring new team members especially withinareaof expertise.

• Establish presence across program entities representing coaching as a shared service across the enterprise.

• Take a lead role in key IDS moments/meetings (Student Management Meeting Review Panels Needs Assessments Great Walletc)

• Partner closely with the Manager of Coaching and Retention to strategically implement department vision.

• Operate as a primary contact between Coaching Services and Supportive Services.

Senior Manager of Coaching & Retention

Direct Report (s)

N/A

Workplace Type & Team Culture

Cara Collective hasa strong teamculture that values collaboration communication and camaraderie. We believe in the power of working together in person which is why we expect our employees to be onsite at one of our Chicago-based locations multiple days each week. The exact number of onsite days per week may vary by role employee tenure and other commitment to in-person collaboration fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork among our employees creating a supportive and dynamic work environment.

We consistently measure staff satisfaction through employee surveys and have found that year over year the vast majority of staff agree that Cara Collective is a great place to work and levelof employee satisfaction reflects our dedication to creating a positive and fulfillingworkplacefor all members of our team.

Starting Pay Range

We takebudgetandstartingsalary very seriously. We market our roles and use a salary analysis tool called Payscale and offer competitive market-based compensation to all employees.

This positions expected starting pay range is$50000- 55000annually.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefit package include:

• Medical Dental Vision Plans

• Basic Life Insurance

• Long Term Disability

• Personal Technology Reimbursement

• Starting with 17 Vacation Days 8 Sick Days

• 14 Paid Holidays

Employee Paid Benefits

• Pre-Tax Medical Flexible Spending Account

• Pre-Tax Dependent Care Account

• Pre-Tax Transit & Parking Options

• Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance

• Short-Term Disability Insurance

• 401(k) Retirement Plan (employer match up to 4% upon hire &immediatelyvested)

As of thisposting we annually review our benefit offerings to meet our employees needs and be competitive in the market. All listed benefits offerings a at the discretion of the employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cara Collective is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin sex gender identity religion sexual orientation age disability parental status veteran status or any other protected status under applicable laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices including those supported by technology or artificial intelligence tools used in the hiring process.

We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete this application or participate in the interview process please email us at

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