Full Engagement Worker- Springfield

The Department of Transitional Assistance is seeking dynamic, qualified and service-driven individuals for the position of Full Engagement Worker (FEW). The selected candidate will perform job development activities, including cultivating partnerships with community-based job skills, training, and education programs. Through these partnerships, the FEW is responsible for increasing available work program opportunities to ensure that all eligible individuals receiving services through DTA can access employment opportunities. The work will be client-centered, family-focused, and include identifying individualized training and employment goals and creating strategies to overcome obstacles to reaching those goals.

DTA attracts people passionate about public service, who love to work in a fast-paced environment, and who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

·       Facilitate engagement in individualized employment-related activities that empower families to increase their economic mobility through meaningful career pathways.

·       Work with individuals to build upon past job experience and skill sets and determine appropriate referrals to employment, training and support services.

·       Engage with individuals and families in individual and/or group activities including orientations, goal setting, and enrollment in Pathways to Work activities.

·       Collaborate with case managers, contract managers and workforce partners to build a local system that supports strong referrals and co-case management.

·       Authorize and reauthorize Employment Service Program (ESP) services and complete assessment referrals.

·       Maintain current employment and training resources in an eligibility system (BEACON).

·       Attend local workforce development meetings in partnership with the MassHire Career Centers and other community-based employment and training providers.

·       Perform Community Service site development activities to ensure that community service sites are integrated into the service delivery networks of DTA’s local offices.

·       Interview work program required clients, refer them to community service sites and reassesses the progress of those clients who have been participating in community service.

·       Assist staff by providing ongoing technical assistance and support, sanction mediation and intervention, and referrals to employment support services.

·       Participate in monthly Statewide FEW meetings to review best practices and strategize to develop systemic solutions to increase client engagement and participation in employment related activities.

·       Travel is required.

Required Qualifications: 

·       Demonstrated knowledge of referral sources available for providing services to clients, including available community support and social services resources for example, community resources available to increase employability of DTA clients.

·       Understanding of the social and economic impact of race and poverty and the resulting effects on education and employment.  

·       Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships in diverse environments; working as a member of a team that includes clients, functioning successfully in group situations, establishing rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds, interacting with and demonstrating empathy to people who are under physical and/or emotional stress and communicating with persons who