About This Role
The Retention Specialist provides professional follow-up and retention services to Out-of-School Youth (OSY) participants who have exited WIOA Title I
-funded programming. The primary goal of this role is to support participants in sustaining unsubsidized employment, post-secondary education enrollment, or registered apprenticeship placement for a minimum of 12 months following program exit. This role helps ensure that participants who have transitioned out of TeamWorks continue to experience hope-centered support, stability, and forward momentum toward long-term self-sufficiency. The specialist works collaboratively with program staff, employers, educational partners, and community resources to remove barriers, administer supportive services and incentives, and maintain accurate documentation of post-exit outcomes.
Responsibilities
- Conduct regular, mandated contacts with former participants via text, phone, or letter to monitor progress and offer support, including weekly or monthly check-ins during the first 90 days after exit and quarterly contacts thereafter for a full year
- Engage unemployed former participants in job search activities and help re-establish contact with non-responsive individuals
- Respond appropriately to participant needs and crises that arise during the post-exit period, providing guidance and appropriate referrals
- Identify ongoing barriers to retention
- such as transportation, childcare, housing, or healthcare needs
- and provide immediate referrals to internal or external resources
- Assess ongoing participant needs and process requests for supportive services, including transportation vouchers (gift cards), uniforms, and work tools, to remove financial barriers to maintaining employment or education
- Maintain detailed records of all supportive service expenditures within the VOS case management system to ensure internal controls and prevent duplication of services
- Manage the timely completion, documentation, and distribution of incentive gift cards awarded to participants for reaching key milestones, such as obtaining a GED, completing educational training, or securing employment
- Track participant progress toward milestone-based incentives to ensure accurate and timely processing and payout
- Serve as a resource to identify and address issues that arise for participants, employers, and educators in post-placement settings to prevent job loss or training dropout
- Counsel youth in long-term career planning and help them realize their educational goals, including assistance with promotions or additional placements as needed
- Maintain accurate case notes and enter post-program outcomes (employment status, wages, and credentials) into VOS and other required systems within established timeframes
- Ensure all activities and documentation pertaining to follow-up contacts and supportive service distribution comply with WIOA regulations, grant requirements, and local policies regarding personally identifiable and confidential information
- Support alignment of retention practices with Agape
- s Performance Quality and Improvement (PQI) standards, and assist with related audits or monitoring as needed
Requirements
- Associate
- s degree required; Bachelor
- s degree in social services, human services, business administration or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- Minimum of one year of experience in customer service, administrative data entry, or providing support services specifically to youth populations
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences
- Basic understanding of budgeting and voucher processing to assist youth in managing their incentive awards
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Experience working with case management, data, or client information systems
- Exceptional organizational skills and time management to meet strict reporting deadlines and manage multiple priorities
- Reliable transportation
- Valid driver
- s license and insurance
- Flexibility for evenings and weekend activities as needed
- Active participation in Agape
- s Performance Quality and Improvement (PQI) standards of quality & excellence
Nice to have:
- Experience with WIOA-funded or other grant-funded workforce development programs
- Experience with platforms such as CaseWorthy, Jobs4TN
- Virtual One Stop (VOS), Smartsheet, or similar case management systems
- Experience supporting compliance, audits, or performance improvement efforts
Important Details
- Physical requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer; prolonged walking, standing, and climbing stairs at program sites and events; must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at a time
About the Company
Agape
- s mission is to fight poverty so families can flourish. Agape Child & Family Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
