Work First Fellowship Job Description (2022-2023)

last updated - 11/10/2021

The Work First Foundation and America Works seek highly motivated recent graduates or graduating seniors with a passion for direct service and alleviating poverty. Ideal candidates will have a strong academic background, research experience, and an interest in working directly with disadvantaged and low-income populations.

Starting November 10th, 2021, applications will be accepted and offers made on a rolling basis.  

Fellowship Description:

The Work First Fellowship is a year-long service program geared towards young professionals interested in workforce development, public policy, and education. Work First Fellows help low-income and marginalized individuals achieve sustainable employment and economic self-sufficiency by providing case management services, facilitating job readiness trainings, designing new curriculum, and providing job search support through resume reviews and mock interviews. 

The Work First Fellowship is offered in partnership with America Works, an employment agency that serves low-income and underserved communities across the country, including public assistance recipients and justice-involved individuals. Work First Fellows are placed in America Works offices. Day-to-day responsibilities vary by site and can include teaching, case management, and non-profit administration. Fellows conduct year-long research projects that explore a workforce development issue, program, or policy with guidance from the Work First Foundation and advisors. At the end of the fellowship, Work First Fellows are given the opportunity to present their research findings to policy experts, business leaders, and workforce development stakeholders at the annual Research Symposium. 

During their year of direct service, Work First Fellows gain on-the-ground experience working with underserved and marginalized populations, insight into how public policy is implemented on a local level, and a firsthand perspective of policy impacts real people.

Duration: July 5, 2022 - June 30, 2023

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (Graduation Date in May-June 2022 permitted)

• Eligible to work in the United States

• Capable of providing confidential support to clients with sensitive cases

• Capable of facilitating workshops/trainings to adults and adolescents in a classroom setting 

Responsibilities:*

• Work full-time and in-person in America Works offices (90%)

  • Perform case management duties for America Works clients (Baltimore, DC, Milwaukee, and San Francisco)

    • Outreach and recruit individuals eligible for free employment services

    • Help clients identify their employment goals and immediate needs

    • Research and connect clients to supportive services and resources

    • Meet regularly with active clients to assist with job placement and retention

    • Provide job readiness services such as resume reviews and interview preparation

  • Facilitate workshops on a variety of job readiness and educational topics (NYC, Orange County)

    • Design curriculum and lesson plans for a variety of job readiness topics

    • Research content and create presentations for new classes

    • Learn best practices and concepts in Adult Education, Youth Development, and/or ESL

    • Facilitate in-person and/or virtual workshops on topics such as Career Planning, Industry Exploration, Professionalism in the Workplace, Wellness & Self-Care, Leadership, and Personal Strengths

• Conduct a year-long research project on a workforce development issue, program, or policy (10%)

  • Review workforce development literature

  • Write and submit a research proposal and literature review

  • Collect and analyze data from America Works clients

  • Write a 15-20 page report and present findings based on research done throughout the year

• Attend policy discussions and professional development events (as possible)

*Responsibilities vary by site

Possible Site Locations:*

• New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and The Bronx)

• Baltimore, MD

• Washington D.C

• Orange County, CA

• San Francisco, CA

• Milwaukee, WI

*Locations subject to change, candidates will be notified of such changes

Compensation:

• $40,000 calendar year stipend (pro-rated)

• 10 Vacation Days, 7 Personal/Sick Days

• 9 Company Holidays

• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits

• Optional Health Care Coverage

• An additional $5,000 award is available to Fellows upon successful completion of the Research Requirement of the Fellowship.

To apply, please fill out the online application at the Work First website:

https://www.theworkfirstfoundation.org/2022-2023-fellowship-application

If you have any questions, please direct them to the recruitment team at recruitment@theworkfirst.org