Candice Boult-Crawford

Retention Specialist

Center for Employment Opportunities

03.2016 - Current

Manage a diverse caseload of an average of 95 participants effectively by prioritizing tasks based on urgency while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
Assess employment barriers and implement strategies for overcoming common barriers such as lack of experience or outdated skill sets.
Monitor and track participant progress through consistent follow-up sessions, adjusting strategies as needed to ensure continued success in achieving retention goals.
Assist participants in setting achievable goals while fostering personal responsibility for progress towards self-sufficiency through motivational interviewing.
Offer ongoing support to participants throughout their job search process after job loss, leading to increased levels of motivation and eventual reemployment.
Empower participants by teaching effective problem-solving skills that they can apply in real-life situations.
Conduct mock interviews to help participants prepare for interviews with potential employers.
Conduct thorough assessments of participant strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values to determine appropriate career paths and goals effectively.
Guide participants through career transitions by identifying transferable skills and aligning them with new opportunities.
Assist participants in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
Provide coaching for participants seeking basic information on budgeting and finances and linking them to resources to help guide them towards achieving their financial goals. Enroll participants in the Savings Match program and distribute funds upon completion.
Cultivate strong relationships with community organizations and resources to provide additional support services for participants when needed.
Provide crisis intervention services when required, deescalating situations and connecting participants with appropriate supports to ensure their safety.
Organized vocational training for participants; ensured that vendors were paid on time and grant budget and outcomes were accurately updated. Assist current training specialist with finding new training opportunities in growing areas of the job market and connecting interested participants.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals on time and within budget.
Contribute to program improvement initiatives by providing regular feedback on the effectiveness of case management services; collaborate with colleagues to develop plans to address participants physical, emotional, and social needs.
Help resolve participant and staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
Maintain professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry participants or community partners.
Train and supervise volunteers, student interns, and assigned program participants enrolled in the Extend Learning Program; provide coaching, evaluate performance, and convey constructive feedback to improve skills.
Help maintain efficient program service delivery during periods of staff vacancy by filling in as a job coach, job developer, outreach specialist, or instructor as needed.
Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducational classes such as CBI and mental health or employment workshops to help participants develop life skills.
Help plan and organize annual participant and community events such as open house, Second Chance Month, and toy drives; plan holiday and quarterly events for participants and staff to improve engagement and morale.
Track some office expenses and ensure that purchases stay within the given budget; create a monthly reconciliation report for office supplies, retention bonuses, incentives, supportive services, and participant transportation expenses.