Intake Specialist

Intake Specialist / Life Skills Educator San Jose, CA

Anticipated deadline to submit application: September 13, 2026 by 8am PST. Position may close early if application limit is met. Apply promptly for full consideration.

The Opportunity

The Intake Specialist ensures that CEO program participants have the required documents to work in the United States and that they meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in CEO. This role enters relevant participant data into CEO's computerized case-management system (Salesforce). In addition to core coaching responsibilities, this role may support office-specific operational needs, including the provision of Work Readiness Education and Orientation Facilitation services.

This is an in-person role with the expectation that staff report to a CEO site, as the majority of participant interactions are conducted in person.

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.

Who We Are

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people recently released from incarceration. Across the United States, 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.

Who You Are

• You come to CEO with at least 2+ years of experience.
• You have the ability to accept ownership for outcomes and consequences of one’s behavior.
• You have the ability to adhere to CEO structures and processes and ensures work product is consistent, accurate and thoroughly documented.
• You demonstrate respect, fairness, patience and efficiency to participants, employees and others to problem-solve and satisfy their needs with the resources available.
• You demonstrate the ability to identify and/or anticipate a problem, analyze the situation, offer and/or seek assistance in order to identify solutions and, when appropriate, decide on and implement a course of action.
• You have the ability to build rapport and cooperate with persons inside and outside of CEO through interpersonal understanding. Maintaining a network of contacts that can provide information and assistance.
• You have the ability to work effectively under pressure and at a sustained pace, managing emotional highs and lows, while maintaining focus on objectives despite setbacks or opposition.
• You are dedicated to achieving personal, team and organizational goals through time management, data analysis, focused communications and teamwork, and continuous learning.
• You have the ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• You have the ability to develop and deliver presentations appropriate to the audiences (of varied sizes) in content, tone and timing.
• You have the ability to ask supervisor for feedback; control emotions; empathize well with situations; express opinions proactively and appropriately; self- motivate; prioritize to meet deadlines; use priority map to help optimize time/CEO's overall goals; produce quality work under pressure; take action to address low morale; take responsibility for mistakes and their impact; use an "internal editor."
• You have the ability to work productively and achieve group goals within a team setting while being aware of the perspectives of each team member.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Assists in the orientation process by providing a brief explanation of why documents are required and collects documents from participants.
• Returns documents with 100% accuracy to correct participants.
• Reviews and ensures that all documents received are in compliance with the requirements of the CEO program and Federal guidelines.
• Enters all information expeditiously and with 98% accuracy into CEO’s computerized data system (Salesforce).
• Provides a brief overview of the CEO program to all walk-ins.
• Retrieves parolee documentation from staff and Parole Officers.
• Exchanges information in a timely and collegial manner with all participants, referral representatives and all departments involved in the intake process.
• Completes reports and forms and documents accurately and submits them within preset targets.
• Responds to inquiries from soon-to-be-released prisoners for letters of reasonable assurance, as requested.
• Responds in a timely fashion to inquiries from governmental entities such as the Office of Child Support Enforcement and the Social Security Administration as well as from companies seeking employment verification, as requested.
• Develops an understanding of the functions and responsibilities of all Vocational Services, including Single Stop and Life Skills Education.
• Performs other job-related duties and responsibilities that will be assigned from time to time.

Work Readiness Education and Orientation Facilitation Support

• Presenting well-prepared, organized, and clear content that follows CEO’s course syllabus to participants enthusiastically and with deep care
• Preparing participants for CEO’s program model by ensuring they have sufficient documentation and are aware of all policies and safety practices
• Guiding and coaching participants in key preparatory activities tied to employment, including writing professional resumes, networking, and mock interviewing
• Helping participants become job-start ready by promoting their development and effective utilization of communication and self-presentation skills
• Engaging participants in ongoing discussions about their employment goals
• Offering support, encouragement. and constructive feedback to all participants
• Keeping abreast of current practices and events that could impact participants; making suggestions about new material to incorporate into the curriculum
• Ensuring that participants’ experiences are strong and adhere to best practices
• Keeping Parole Officers in the loop regarding individual participant progress
• Recruiting for and tracking attendance of each class

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $62,200. 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.