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Company Overview

 

Wesley Housing, a leading nonprofit developer throughout Virginia and the District of Columbia, has worked to provide affordable rental housing for individuals and families for more than 50 years. Since its founding, Wesley Housing has emerged as a premier developer of affordable housing with current ownership in 4,300+ units. Wesley Housing supplements housing with supportive services to build up the lives of its ~4,500 residents living across its owned and operated communities, including low- and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities and/or chronic disease.  Wesley Housing’s headquarters are located in Alexandria, VA (Fairfax County).  For more information, please visit www.wesleyhousing.org and follow @WesleyHousing on social media. To apply, please visit our careers website at https://wesleyhousing.org/about-us/careers/. Click on Open Positions. Select the position you are interested in. Then click the Apply button to submit your application. 

 

Job Summary

 

The Resident Services Employment Specialist (ES) is responsible for designing, implementing, and driving a comprehensive employment program that connects residents to sustainable, career-building opportunities. Through your work, you’ll empower residents to achieve stability, growth, and long-term success—strengthening both their futures and our community.

 

Locations 

 

This position is located primarily at the resident services office of Wesley Housing’s Strawbridge Square property in Alexandria, VA, but will commute and provide some support to all 6 Fairfax County properties (The Arden, Wexford Manor, Madison Ridge, Strawbridge Square, Coppermine, & The Fallstead). 

 

Essential Functions

  • Gather information on resident skills, abilities and vocational interests
  • Develop individual Employment Development Plans (EDP) for resident clients
  • Assist clients in obtaining and understanding how employment affects benefits or housing
  • Identify employment opportunities and conduct job search activities with clients
  • Assist clients with completing job applications and creating resumes
  • Provide individual coaching to clients to prepare for interviews and job placement
  • Facilitate and coordinate group career coaching and/or workshops
  • Provide follow-up support to clients to assist clients with maintaining employment
  • Establish relationships with prospective employers in the community
  • Provide education and support to employers
  • Develop and maintain a Resource Directory to include state and local service providers
  • Create reports to track and report on program efforts and outcomes. Regularly share results with Regional Community Services Manager, Marketing, and other stakeholders, to assist with program funding and operational assessments.
  • Assess employment program; evaluate outcomes; make and implement recommendations to increase program effectiveness
  • Comply with confidentiality requirements for records and information management
  • Create monthly newsletters, calendar, and flyers
  • Advocate, organize, problem-solve and provide results for families
  • Communicate effectively with clients, volunteers, community partners, and coworkers
  • Work independently with minimal supervision
  • Prepare monthly activity reports
  • Perform other duties as assigned

 

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

  • Able to interact with sensitivity to the needs of a diverse, multicultural, linguistically diverse client population 
  • Excellent written and verbal skills
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, or another language prevalent in the community is preferred, but not required
  • Working knowledge of supportive services and other resources in the area
  • Attention to detail 
  • Able to advocate, organize, problem-solve and produce results 
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint
  • Demonstrated ability to comfortably navigate residential case and project management database like Apricot or Asana. 
  • databases
  • Ability to troubleshoot minor technical problems with computer equipment and peripherals
  • Excellent relationship building, networking, and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills
  • Effective problem-solving abilities
  • Proactive and able to work autonomously
  • Able to plan events, organize communities, and facilitate groups
  • Demonstrated flexibility; able to pivot and display flexibility in response to changing circumstances or resident needs

Required Education, Certifications, Licenses, Related Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Development, or related degree required. 
  • Three years’ experience in social service delivery to low and moderate-income individuals and families 
  • Minimum one to three years’ experience with career assessment and coaching as well as workforce development

Physical Job Requirements

  • Able to remain stationary (standing/seated) in front of computer monitor more than half the time 
  • Able to travel between different Wesley Housing  and local partner locations during the week. If operating a motor vehicle, must have current driver’s license, car insurance and good driving record 
  • Able to regularly maneuver (lift, move, carry, slide, etc.)  15 pounds and occasionally up to 40 lbs
  • Able to operate machinery and/or equipment that requires the constant use of hands/fingers/wrists (ex.’s: typing, filing, etc.) more than half the time 

Travel Requirements

This position commutes between the main work site and other Wesley properties or partner sites up to 25% of the time

 

Wesley Housing offers a generous benefits package to full-time employees that includes a competitive salary, health insurance, disability insurance, paid time off, flexible work schedule, cell phone stipend, opportunities for training, and a retirement plan with a company match.