Employment Services Specialist

Description

Summary: The Employment Services Specialist provides clients with workforce development activities such as employment search, career exploration, unemployment insurance requirement navigation, workforce system registration, labor market information, and referrals to additional career planning services when appropriate. The position promotes career planning services and collaborative efforts with teams to promote employers and approved community partner activities within the department. Ensures compliance with federal and state workforce development regulations, including but not limited to Wagner-Peyser, WIOA, Priority of Service, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Unemployment Insurance requirements while maintaining accurate documentation and collaborating with internal and external workforce partners to improve employment outcomes for clients.

1. Provides employment services for clients and external partners.
2. Assist clients with employment services by providing guidance with state workforce system registration, work search documentation, identity verification, certifications, test, redeterminations, appeals, unemployment insurance, training waivers, fact-finding questionnaires, and other workforce-related requests. Connect clients with external partner organizations and submit documentation on their behalf when needed.
3. Provide guidance to clients for establishing profiles in state and national labor exchange systems and other employment search resources.
4. Provide guidance with résumé development, completion of employment applications, online job search databases, digital literacy, virtual workforce services, electronic document submission, and virtual interviewing to support successful employment outcomes.
5. Serve as agency liaison for required state workforce programs ensuring compliance with state and federal mandates and laws.
6. Assess clients' employment and supportive service needs; provide employment related advice, labor market information, occupational outlook data, referrals to career pathway exploration and employment opportunities, education, occupational training, apprenticeships, workforce development programs, and community resources.
7. Promote agency business services, hiring events, and workforce initiatives while maintaining current knowledge of partner organizations, available services, and eligibility requirements to facilitate effective referrals and workforce collaboration.
8. May be required to obtain Facilitating Career Development (FCD) certification

Requirements

Factor Minimum Qualifications EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree required. Other education and/or 3+ years of directly related experience may be considered. EXPERIENCE: Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a results-driven environment such as, workforce development, educational, or social/human services. Preferred experience includes providing comprehensive, participant-focused services to individuals overcoming personal, social, or employment barriers. Experience in delivering collaborative employment and career services for unemployed/underemployed, justice-involved or reentry populations, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other populations with significant barriers to employment required. Facilitating Career Development certification is preferred. KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES: Demonstrated knowledge and experience in coordinating and facilitating workforce development, social, human, or business services while adhering to organizational confidentiality, ethical standards, and customer service policies and procedures. Strong understanding of professional protocols, effective workplace communication. Proven ability to take the initiative within guidelines and established protocols, work independently or collaboratively within a team to deliver participant-focused services. Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills required. Capable of managing multiple tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining timelines in a fast-paced workforce development environment. Proficient using Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, internet search tools, technology platforms, customer relationship management systems to deliver workforce development services and virtual client engagement as needed. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Able to provide services in a business, community or office setting. Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time. MENTAL DEMANDS Required to maintain objectivity and respond effectively while coordinating workforce development services for diverse participant populations. Must demonstrate patience, cultural competence, inclusiveness, and a positive, professional attitude. Work is intellectually challenging and requires the ability to make timely, accurate decisions in alignment with funder, organizational, and program expectations. Strong ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and coordinate tasks to meet deadlines in a fast-paced workforce development environment. MACHINES/EQUIPMENT: Proficient with using standard office technology and equipment, including telephones, calculators, copiers, scanners, and personal computers. Must be competent and have high digital literacy skills with experience in Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and be able to effectively use internet search tools and online platforms. WORKING CONDITIONS: Interactive position requires working with job seekers who have significant employment barriers in an office, instructional and/or community setting. Must demonstrate professional customer service demeanor. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team. Skilled in working professionally with agency staff, participants, employers, and community partners, while maintaining strict confidentiality of program and participant information. Daily local travel may be required, and candidates must possess and maintain a valid State of Michigan driver's license, an insured vehicle, proof of insurance or ability to utilize ride share services when required and/or needed. Ability to travel to and operate safely within correctional facilities, including prisons and jails, to provide workforce development services.