Program Services Coordinator

Position Title: Program Services Coordinator Agency Overview Project Return helps people who are coming back from prison. As a Tennessee nonprofit organization, our mission is to provide services and connect people with resources needed to return successfully to work and community after incarceration. For over four decades, Project Return has been doing its prisoner reentry work based in Nashville, generating employment opportunities, as well as providing a broad array of relationship-based, wraparound assistance and support, for people who come to Project Return with the determination to make a new beginning after incarceration. We opened our Chattanooga location in 2021 and are already exceeding our projected reach! Position Description The person in this position imparts job search coaching and case management for people returning to the community from incarceration, with a focus primarily on employment acquisition and success, and additionally fostering engagement in skills-building, while providing wraparound support. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Facilitate screenings and applications, at both pre-release and post-release, of people who are potentially eligible for Project Return services; conduct welcome sessions and provide introductory information to new participants regarding our array of services; facilitate enrollment in Project Return Counsel and coach participants on job search, job acquisition, and job retention; provide intensive and encouraging case management services, including the discernment of skills and interests, the interactive creation of résumés, the provision of job leads and job referrals with particular attention to fit, the coaching toward employment opportunities, and the development and monitoring of individualized goals, with a particular focus on career development, including training/education and employment acquisition and retention; actively foster positive and productive relationships with clients For ongoing job development purposes, contribute to agency compilations and dissemination of job leads and position openings; maintain interactive communication with business development colleagues, in order to receive updates on employment prospects and to share information on new job acquisitions and employers Maintain thorough documentation of participant status and Project Return services, by immediate and ongoing entering of information and data in online and hard copy client files Make referrals for supportive services to community partners and document follow-through and completion; communicate regularly with partner agencies; utilize and nurture existing support services networks and contribute to the development of new partnerships with service providers Collaborate closely and collegially with Project Return co-workers, supporting their efforts, mutually sharing information, and contributing helpful input for the betterment of the agency and services to participants Participate in staff meetings, and other collective endeavors of the agency Work in partnership with Project Return's social enterprise efforts Facilitate life skills and job readiness classes, both at Project Return and within correctional facilities as assigned; assist with transporting participants to and from work sites in company vans, as needed; participate in provision of tangible forms of assistance such as bus passes, work gear, and food Participate in outreach, in-reach, and recruitment activities for Project Return Provide input and assistance as needed in reporting efforts for the agency Adhere to the values of Project Return and contribute positively to a workplace that functions as a model to the people we serve Other duties as needed or as determined by the work of the agency Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree. Experience, skills, and interests preferred: Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to work with diverse people and to build relationships; dedication to achieving goals & to being results-oriented; ability to work effectively under pressure; proactive work ethic and strengths-based approach; ability to identify and/or anticipate a problem &when appropriate, identify solutions and implement a course of action; strong attention to detail and quality; ability to continue a course of action in the face of adversity; ability to bring stamina and vigor to all aspects of the work; willingness to perform regular local and sometimes regional travel. Job Type: Full-time Pay: From $37,000.00 per year Benefits: Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Schedule: 8 hour shift Monday to Friday People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply Ability to commute/relocate: Chattanooga, TN 37403: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) License/Certification: Driver's License (Required) Work Location: In person