Workforce Development Specialist

For best consideration, please submit application materials by January 26, 2025.  

Job Summary

Provides employment and training services for job seekers and employers utilizing knowledge of educational institutions and support programs, labor market information and trends, local business community, workforce development grant policies and procedures. Supports the training scholarship process, on-the-job training services, post training job search support, and other areas depending on service needs. 

Essential Duties:

1. Develops and maintains workforce and training partnerships with education, business, industry, labor and government to maximize funding and meet yearly performance standards.  Conducts assessments with private and public sector employers to ascertain changing industry needs and translates these changing needs into programs and curricula.
2. Collaborates and coordinates with multi agencies (state and community-based organizations, community colleges and employers) to develop and deliver integrated One-Stop services to address priority workforce needs.
3. Develops curriculum and designs and implements training materials for workshops and one-on-one advising including adult basic education, workforce employability, life skills, and personal and professional development.
4. Works directly with participants experiencing a wide range of employment/career path barriers. Assists with developing training and employment goals and plan.
5. Develops, administers and interprets standardized and customized screening and assessment tools and tests.  
6. Evaluates and guides participant training and employment progress and maintains records and documents achievements.  
7. Designs, markets, and develops customized employment services with employers, and negotiates and administers on-the-job contractual agreements.   Delivers presentations and coordinates special projects with agencies and business community.
8. Provides enhanced retention services to employers including consultations and problem solving to remove barriers to employment.  Monitors on-the-job training sites.
9. Teaches internet usage and various software programs for career research, skill development, and job search.  Develops professional resumes and instructs participants on job-related skills including interviewing, resume writing, and networking.
10. Collaborates with community resource agencies to remove multiple barriers, provides crisis intervention and makes referrals for issues including, but not limited to, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, and emergency services.
11. Provides active employment focused case management services to participants, coordinates interagency staffing, and maintains accurate, detailed case notes and databases.  Ensures strict confidentiality to meet federal and state guidelines.
12. Participates on teams, focus groups, and interagency district committees to design program components that meet yearly contractual performance requirements and standards.
13. Mentors, trains and coaches the work of others such as interns and work experience participants.

Additional Duties:

1. Participates in the hiring and training of new staff.
2. Participates in researching and writing grants and responding to proposals for grant funding.
3. Uses English-as-a Second Language (ESL) training techniques to teach skills needed for successful job search with regard to filling out applications, interviewing and using English on the job.
4. Trains employers and managers in techniques for working more successfully with limited English proficiency (LEP) employees through cultural awareness training, interpreted employee/employer discussions and sites specific ESL training.
5. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social science, business or other related field 
• Three (3) years of experience in workforce development, job training or placement, career exploration, or case management
• Experience working with diverse students including limited English speakers and at-risk populations

Additional qualifying education/experience may be substituted, year for year, for education/ experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Fluency in a second language in order to provide translation/interpretation assistance for non-English speaking clients and community partners

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge or experience with implementation of contracts connected to Oregon Employment Services (WIOA, SNAP, Rapid Response, Dislocated Workers, etc.)
• Considerable knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, email, database and presentation applications, preferably within the Microsoft Office Suite. 
• Experience in case management in a workforce development, social service, or educational setting 
• Knowledge of workforce development programming and delivery, and establishing and maintaining partnerships with community resources
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and problem-solving skills

Working Conditions:

Work is typically performed in an office environment. Repetitive hand/wrist motion for data-entry and keyboarding functions. Regular contact with potentially hostile and confrontational, and/or violent clients. Work is sometimes performed in an emotional and stressful environment resolving interpersonal conflict and providing support. Possible exposure to potentially dangerous situations while driving between work sites and working after hours. Occasional local travel and evening hours required.

Salary : $54,453 - $75,376