Employment Development Specialist (WSS4): WorkSource Spokane

Whether in the Resource Room helping customers, facilitating orientations and career services workshops, or meeting one on one with a job seeker to assess customers work readiness and employability, it is our Employment Development Specialists' goal to engage our job seekers by offering access to the full array of services available through the WorkSource system. These services increase job seeker’s skills and ability to find gainful employment in high-quality jobs and careers.  In this role, you will regularly meet with customers to determine which service best fits their needs and determine where they are in their employment search. Because you will interact with people needing varying levels of support, listening to understand, empathizing, and the ability to be adaptable with how you communicate are crucial skills in fostering trusting relationships with customers who may have barriers or facing difficult situations. 

Some of what you will do: 

• Conduct individual interviews to articulate program services and activities, identify components applicable to customer need, and develop recommendations for continuous engagement. 
• Determine eligibility and/or appropriateness for program, enroll and explain program participation requirements, and develop employment and training contracts and agreements based on applicable regulations, customer eligibility and assessment. 
• Manage caseload, provide case management, facilitate appropriate support services and/or make referrals as well as identify and evaluate barriers and explore solutions to assist in removing barriers and obtaining needed documentation. 
• Authorize or deny support service and/or training fund requests, track program resources available to customers, and prepare A19s or vouchers for payment. 
• Provide outreach and follow up services to customers. 
• Ensure the customer understands and follows all employment and training directives, expectations, and performance standards. 
• Develop and sustain relationships with vendors and the community and keep informed of available external resources and referrals. 
• Administer a variety of assessments as well as both formal and informal career tools, review and explain the results, and incorporate that information into employment plans in conjunction with relevant labor market information to present to the customer. 
• Record and maintain case notes, service plans, program-related expenditures, and exit outcomes in multiple data management systems. 
• Coordinate resources with partners, communicate and promote agency and partner services to encourage maximum utilization of available incentives. 

To request a detailed position description click here.

About the Employment Connections Division:

Employment Connections (EC) is made up of three Lines of Business: WorkSource, Central Operations System Support, and Washington Service Corps (WSC). EC administers the Labor Exchange (LEX), Migrant Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW), Veterans Services, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), and WorkFirst programs for job seekers and employers in Washington and provides job seekers with referrals to our partners. 

A combination of education and/or relevant experience that totals seven (7) or more years.

OR A Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or public contact work, such as: education, social services, public relations, human resource services, unemployment insurance, benefits programs, insurance claims, law enforcement and banking OR a combination of education and/or relevant experience. 

OR One year as a WorkSource Specialist 3 or equivalent class within the Employment Security Department, or another state’s Employment Security agency.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will be skilled in the following areas: 

Effective Communication: You have a talent for both written and verbal communication that expresses information quickly and effectively with the customer's perspective in focus. 

Critical Thinking: You use purposeful and reflective judgement to process, analyze, interpret, explain, and recommend ideas for improved effectiveness. 

Accountability: You own your work and mistakes and see setbacks as an opportunity for growth. 

Customer Service: You demonstrate that excellent customer service begins with really listening to the customer, asking questions to discover highest need, and assisting the customer in creating an individualized solution that includes opportunities for continued collaboration. 

Inclusiveness: You actively work to live out our Agency's values (see ESD mission and values) by embracing diversity, different perspectives, and ensuring our workplace is a welcoming, possibility-infused resource for all customers and coworkers. 

Team-Player: You support coworkers, encourage others to participate, and address conflict when necessary.

Education to Experience Equivalences:

Associate Degree = 2 years | Bachelor Degree = 4 years | Masters or Higher = 5 years

Additional Requirement of Employment:

• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim & Benefit Information Review.
• Must be able to travel on a daily or weekly basis to provide services. 

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. 

Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

Why work with us?

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship.  We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self. 

Opportunity for All
 We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
  
 The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program.  Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. 
 
  If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Katie Swanson or the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

**This Organization Participates in E-Verify**

Salary : $52,920 - $71,148