Stone Soup PDX · 16 hours ago
Employment Specialist
Portland, OR
Full-time
Onsite
Mid LevelStone Soup PDX is a Portland-based nonprofit social venture that builds economic stability for people facing barriers to employment through hands-on culinary training and community meals. The Employment Specialist will provide career coaching, develop employer partnerships, and support participants in securing stable employment after completing the culinary training program.
Restaurants
Hiring Manager
Ellen Damaschino
Responsibilities
Provide individualized career coaching to participants, including resume development, interview preparation, and job-readiness support, with a focus on successful job placement
Develop, cultivate, and maintain strong relationships with local employers to actively generate employment and internship opportunities for program graduates
Proactively engage and recruit employer partners by communicating the strengths, skills, and readiness of Stone Soup PDX graduates and encouraging their participation in hiring
Track participant progress, job placement, and employment retention to assess outcomes and provide follow-up support as needed
Work closely with program staff to ensure training curricula align with employer needs, workforce trends, and industry expectations
Support participants in addressing employment barriers by connecting them to appropriate resources such as housing, transportation, childcare, and other supportive services
Plan and facilitate job fairs, employer networking events, and professional development workshops that connect participants directly with hiring partners
Maintain accurate documentation and reporting related to participant engagement, employer partnerships, job placements, and program outcomes
Represent Stone Soup PDX in the community by building and strengthening relationships with employers, workforce development organizations, and social service partners
Assist with grant reporting, data collection, and program evaluation as needed to support funding and continuous improvement
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, human services, or a related field preferred (equivalent experience considered)
Experience working with individuals facing barriers to employment, including homelessness, incarceration, substance use recovery, or other challenges
Knowledge of workforce development strategies, job coaching techniques, and career counseling best practices
Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills
Demonstrated experience in community outreach, engagement or a related public-facing role
Experience building and maintaining employer relationships for job placements
Strong organizational skills with the ability to track participant progress and outcomes
Proficiency with Google Suite
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
Valid Oregon Driver's License required
Ability to pass a background check
Preferred
Familiarity with the Portland-area workforce development ecosystem
Excellent people skills and the ability to engage
Lived experience overcoming barriers to employment
Experience in trauma-informed care and strengths-based case management
Company
Stone Soup PDX
Stone Soup PDX builds economic stability for people facing barriers to employment through hands-on culinary training and our community meals program.
Founded in 2018
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase