Job Coach/Retention Specialist

Job Coach/Retention Specialist

Full-time, in-person availability at our Buffalo, NY office

Application Deadline: March 6, 2026 5pm ET. May close before this deadline if application limit is reached.

The Opportunity

One of CEO’s core program positions is the Job Coach/Retention Specialist (JC/RS). The JC/RS is essential to identifying and addressing our participants’ barriers to employment. Through early intervention and appropriate support services, they are devoted to helping participants stay motivated while working in temporary employment and focused on their efforts to retain permanent employment. The JC/RS has a caseload of participants to whom they provide support services to ensure they become job start ready. They monitor participant progress utilizing weekly targeted case management, motivational interviewing, and connections and referrals to other support services agencies.

The JC/RS is also responsible for helping CEO achieve targeted retention outcomes. They will keep participants engaged in CEO services and in the labor force for twelve months from the start of the first full-time job placement. A successful JC/RS understands customer relationship management and the importance of quality data entry. They will be responsible for maintaining and documenting the status of the relationship between our participants and CEO in our case management system.

As part of our mission, we strongly encourage individuals who have lived experience of incarceration or involvement in the justice system to apply for this role.

About Us

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people with released from incarceration. Across the United States, over 8,000 - 9,000 people participate in CEO each year, transitioning to employment that supports themselves, their families, and their communities.

What began as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice in the 1970s to address employment barriers facing the formerly incarcerated following release in New York City has grown into the leading reentry employment organization in the country, where over 30,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment since 1996. Since 2009, CEO has gained support to expand its programs through government, nonprofit, and private organizations including the GreenLight Fund, the Pew Charitable Trust, and the Nonprofit Finance Fund.

Who you are

• You have a valid Driver's License with a good driver's record

• You’re deeply dedicated to social justice and perhaps are already working in the re-entry space

• You're experienced in providing feedback and guidance to clients to encourage their growth and continued development of their knowledge and skills

• You’re passionate about making an impact on people's lives and interested in guiding them to achieving their career goals through a balance of accountability and empathy

• You are a people-person and love to inspire others to reach a goal and perform to the best of their ability

• You have strong customer service skills and take a human-centered approach when communicating with participants

• You have strong time management and prioritization skills

• You’re able to anticipate problems, evaluate them, and determine and implement solutions

• You’re computer savvy (demonstrated word processing skills, ability to use the Internet to research job opportunities, familiarity with Salesforce preferred)

• You come to CEO with 1-2+ years of related experience

Major Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Job Coach / Retention Specialist include but are not limited to:

Job Coaching

• Transport participants to classroom training center for apprenticeship training as needed/up to 5 hours per week.

• In collaboration with colleagues, ensures that at least 70% of participants become Job Start Ready

• Guide and coach participants in key preparatory activities tied to employment, including writing professional resumes, networking, and mock interviewing

• Use motivational interviewing techniques as appropriate to help guide participants to goal achievement

• Maintain weekly contact with participants to track their progress to interview readiness

• Makes appropriate referrals to outside agencies when necessary; documents in Salesforce

• Facilitate group sessions and workshops to build employment readiness skills

• Build positive relationships with criminal justice partners in various settings, including parole bureaus and correctional facilities

• Regularly discuss participant process and status with colleagues

• Engage participants in ongoing discussions about their employment goals

Retention Services

• Maintain frequent contact with participants

• Research and connect participants to educational and vocational opportunities as related to their short- and long-term goals

• Provide participants with continued life skills education and relevant resources

• Advocate for participant needs with parole officers and other constituencies

• Distribute retention incentives to participants

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $47,800 annually. In an effort to be both equitable and transparent, CEO's compensation philosophy considers a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, experience, internal equity, and home office location in making a final determination on our salary offer.

We recognize that salary is a part of the overall compensation package and also provide a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, as well as professional development opportunities and training, including regular training opportunities in Motivational Interviewing (MI). MI is one evidence-based skill that reentry and human service professionals can utilize when supporting participants to achieve their goals.

We also offer paid parental leave, participation in a retirement plan, sick and vacation leave, paid holidays and more. We are a workplace that promotes continual learning and teamwork, offering lunch and learns, team outings, holiday gatherings and more for our staff.

More About Us

Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. People who are justice involved are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. CEO is committed to the CROWN Act, and creating an open space where our employees can present as their true authentic selves.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, gender, gender identity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact.

Please note that due to the volume of resumes received, we are unable to contact each applicant regarding the status of each position or reply to candidates' inquiries via phone or email.