Workforce Development Specialist

Commonpoint is a non-profit, multi-service agency with flagship sites in Little Neck, Bayside, Forest Hills, East Elmhurst, and Jamaica with 80 additional sites throughout the community that provides a diverse array of programs and services to over 85,000 individuals. The mission is to sustain and enhance the quality of family and individual life for all members of our community, regardless of religion, ethnic or cultural background, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual preference, age, or disability, within a pervasive and inclusive environment that facilitates individual growth, meets individual needs and builds community. We accomplish this mission through a broad range of social, educational, and recreational services that reach community members of all ages and backgrounds.

Overview:
The Adult Workforce Department at the Jack and Shirley Silver Hub offers comprehensive employment and support
services designed to help individuals achieve long-term career success. Through access to career counseling, job
placement, training, education, and resources, we empower clients to enter the workforce and advance their careers.

The Workforce Development Specialist will play a critical role in supporting IT, Culinary Arts, Security Guard, Construction, Customer Service, and Allied Health clients and graduates by connecting them with meaningful internships, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities. This position ensures that placements align with clients’ career goals, fostering professional development and long-term success.

Additional Information:
Transportation will be provided, including a MetroCard, as the role requires travel between Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx.

Responsibilities:

Employer Engagement:

• Develop and maintain partnerships demonstrating excellent rapport with employers in key sectors, including Information Technology, Construction, Customer Service, Culinary Arts, Security Guard, Community Health Workers, and Allied Health sectors.
• Support Director of Employer Partnership to conduct virtual and in person meetings with external business leaders who are aligned with the mission.
• Secure paid and unpaid internships, apprenticeships, and direct job placements to meet monthly, quarterly, and annual placement goals.
• Collaborate with the supervisor to discuss employer partners, job trends, training referrals, and job matching progress.
• Submit appropriate candidates to employers to fulfill job openings.

Client Support and Advocacy:

• Work closely with Employment Coordinators and Career Coaches to coach clients on career pathways, addressing resume development, application processes, mock interviews, and networking strategies.
• Advocate for clients by sourcing job leads tailored to their skills and interests and ensuring alignment with available job opportunities.
• Assist clients in building essential social skills and work habits that promote long-term career success.
• Address barriers to employment by coordinating referrals to internal and external social services.
• Lead professional development workshops for clients when necessary to improve their own professional development and personal brand
• Lead job opportunity sessions as well as sharing job opportunities and career fairs creatively utilizing Canva
• Guide clients through all facets of job search, including resume revisions, online applications, mock interview sessions and networking

Collaboration and Reporting:

• Work with the Intake Team to ensure job placements are accurately reported in Salesforce
• Provide necessary follow ups with clients after their vocational trainings and employment
• Add case notes to SF about clients status, engagements, and progress
• Collect employment verification letters, pay stubs, etc. and upload to client’s files timely in salesforce as they hit their 30, 60, 90, 185, 365 milestones
• Maintain the job bank, updating job links and opportunities regularly.
• Collaborate with senior staff to design and deliver training sessions and workshops on labor market trends and program outcomes.
• Generate program reports and contribute to funding proposals as needed.
• Share and track new updates of employer partners, report clients who have interviewed and have been placed.

Community Engagement and Events:

• Ability to travel to different boroughs: Attend external job fairs to establish new partnerships and represent Commonpoint by tabling the organization’s resources.
• Attend events on the weekends occasionally.
• Actively participate in internal staff meetings, mock events, internal job fairs, and staff professional development training sessions to enhance program effectiveness.
• Travel outdoors to connect and establish relationships with business leaders at least once a week.

Technical Skills:

• Demonstrate strong proficiency in digital tools, including Zoom, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Workspace applications (Gmail, Google Voice, Calendar, etc.).
• Salesforce a knowledge preferred but not required.
• Expertise in resume creation, editing, and formatting.
• Knowledge of Canva or other graphic design platforms - preferred

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Education or related field
• At least 3 years of Workforce development and at least 2 years of job placement experience.
• Proven experience working with low-income, limited-English, and immigrant populations.
• Spanish, Yiddish, or Russian is a plus but not necessary

Key Attributes for Success:

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for fostering client and employer relationships.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrate professionalism at all times
• Believe and practice equity and inclusion
• Follow through on assignments and meet deadline
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities to balance diverse responsibilities effectively.
• Innovative problem-solving skills to address employment barriers and create opportunities.
• Commitment to collaboration, team-building, and achieving shared goals.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to engage and inspire audiences.

Commonpoint reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as needed.

Commonpoint is an equal-opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and résumé, as a Word or PDF document only, to Diahan Collins at dcollins@commonpoint.org. Please indicate “Workforce Development Specialist” in the subject line. Due to the high volume of applicants, only qualified candidates will be contacted.