Workforce Development Consultant - Contract

Description

The Workforce Development Consultant will connect YW Tech Lab participants with career opportunities in the tech industry by building strategic relationships with employers, securing job placements, and providing personalized job search coaching. This role also supports recruitment and community engagement efforts, with a primary focus on job placement. 

The ideal consultant is a proactive self-starter with experience in workforce development and a strong understanding of the tech job market. They are passionate about creating pathways to career success, fostering community connections, and promoting equity in employment. The contractor will operate in a hybrid work environment, collaborating closely with the Program Manager and other team members to build employer partnerships.

Essential Functions of the Job:

Job Placement & Employer Engagement 

• Establish and maintain partnerships with tech companies and employers for job and internship placements; 
• Support participants in securing permanent, part-time, and full-time roles aligned with their training; 
• Track and report on placement outcomes and employer engagement;

Recruitment

• Support the recruitment of new participants into the YW Tech Lab program through community outreach, social media, and collaboration with partners; 
• Represent the program at job fairs and community events as needed;

Job Readiness Coaching 

• Provide individualized and group coaching on resume writing, interviewing, job searching, and professional communication; 
• Facilitate workshops and mock interviews to prepare participants for the workforce;
• Assist participants in navigating job offers, onboarding processes, and early employment challenges;

Program Support & Collaboration 

• Collaborate with program staff, including the Program Manager, to ensure a seamless participant experience;
• Maintain accurate documentation and reports related to recruitment, coaching, and placement; and 
• Participate in team meetings and provide updates on participant progress and employer relations.

Requirements

Education: 

• Associate's Degree in Workforce Development, Human Services, Education, Business, or a related field required. 
• Bachelor's degree preferred. 
• Relevant professional experience in workforce development, career coaching, or job placement. 
• Certifications in technology-related areas are a plus.

Experience:

• Workforce Development Expertise: Knowledge of career pathways, job readiness strategies, and employment trends, particularly in the technology sector. 
• Employer & Community Engagement: Ability to build and maintain relationships with employers, community partners, and stakeholders to support recruitment and job placement. 
• Career Coaching & Advising: Skilled in guiding individuals through resume writing, interview preparation, job search strategies, and professional development. 
• Recruitment & Outreach: Experience in engaging diverse populations through community events, social media, and direct outreach to increase program participation. 
• Cultural Competency & Equity Focus: Committed to supporting diverse populations with a focus on racial, gender, and economic equity. 
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to engage effectively with participants, partners, and team members. 
• Organization & Time Management: Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate documentation. 
• Technology Proficiency: Comfortable using digital tools, platforms, and databases to support job search efforts, data tracking, and virtual engagement.

License or Certifications (Preferred, but not required): 

• Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP); 
• Project Management Certification (PMP, CAPM, or Scrum); 
• Industry-recognized technology certifications, such as CompTIA A , Google IT Support, Microsoft Office Specialist, or other relevant credentials that demonstrate familiarity with tech industry standards.

Schedule: 

This is a contractor position with a standard schedule of Monday through Friday. As part of a hybrid work model, the Workforce Development Contractor will maintain a mix of in-office and remote work hours. Specific hours of operation will be discussed and agreed upon between the Program Manager and the selected candidate to ensure alignment with program needs and participant support.

Key Competencies: 

• Seeks to cultivate and develop professional working relationships with key stakeholders, i.e., staff, volunteers, interns, board members, etc.;
• Demonstrated skill in the understanding of others;
• Engages in (or commits to) personal and professional development;
• Demonstrates a willingness to examine one’s assumptions and attitudes;
• Maintains productive work relationships while considering multiple perspectives;
• Demonstrates awareness of one’s and others’ life experiences and their relevance in the workplace;
• Experience resolving conflicts effectively; and
• Promotes a respectful work environment in which concerns are addressed effectively.

Skills: 

Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail and ability to troubleshoot;

Collaboration: Team-centered and willing to work in a collaborative and team-based environment;

Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills;

Customer Service: Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service skills and build rapport with internal and external customers; Ability to interact with key stakeholders and respond to inquiries in a timely manner;

Dependability: Ability to work independently and communicate effectively and consistently with internal and external constituents;

Emotional Intelligence: Recognizes and values different ideas of others; Empathetically and respectfully accepts these differences and works cooperatively and sincerely to optimize the contributions of all individuals;

Innovative: Innovative thinkers ready to contribute to model design and strategic plans, and review and implement changes and enhancements to programming; 

Mission Focused: Must uphold the core values of the organization; Strong supporter of the organization’s mission and services offered;

Presentation: Exceptional public speaking and workshop facilitation skills;

Problem Solving: Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills;

Personal Accountability: Accepts responsibility for own actions and embraces experiences as learning opportunities;

Results-oriented: Directs behavior to emphasize the achievement of organizational goals and core values. Ability to meet multiple deadlines;

Technical Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including high proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, and Word required;

Time Management: Strong time management, project management, and prioritization skills;

Trust and Respect: Offers respect to all in the work environment, and adheres to high personal standards of acceptance, reliability, openness, and consistency of action with words; and

Relationship Building: Superb networking skills and builds productive relationships in the workplace.