Workforce Development Specialist

Workforce Development Specialist

FLSA Status: Full Time, Exempt

Pay Grade: M-10

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Reports to the Economic Vitality Manager

Supervision Given: Does not have direct supervision

Under the supervision of the Economic Vitality Manager, the Workforce Development Specialist leads workforce development efforts that connect residents to employment, training, and career advancement opportunities aligned with local economic priorities. This position builds partnerships with employers, training providers, educational institutions, and community organizations; coordinates workforce initiatives and supportive programming; and helps strengthen talent pipelines that support both resident success and broader economic vitality.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Leads workforce development efforts that connect residents to employment, training, and career advancement opportunities aligned with local economic priorities.
• Builds and maintains partnerships with employers, workforce agencies, training providers, educational institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen local talent pipelines and address workforce needs.
• Coordinates workforce initiatives, recruitment events, job fairs, training opportunities, and supportive programming designed to expand access to quality jobs and skills development for residents.
• Assists in identifying workforce gaps, barriers to employment, and emerging opportunities in order to support responsive strategies and program development.
• Tracks program participation, outcomes, employer engagement, and other relevant data to support reporting, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborates with internal staff and external partners to align workforce programming with business attraction, retention, community development, and economic vitality goals.
• Provides information and assistance to residents regarding training programs, job readiness resources, career pathways, and available workforce support services.
• Prepares reports, correspondence, outreach materials, presentations, and updates related to workforce activities, partnerships, and program outcomes.
• Supports meetings, events, and community engagement efforts related to workforce planning, employer outreach, and resident opportunity development.
• Performs other related duties as assigned in support of departmental, organizational, and community priorities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in public administration, human services, workforce development, education, business administration, community development, or a related field; supplemented by 5 years of experience in workforce programming, employment services, training coordination, community engagement, program administration, or a related area; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience working with employers, training providers, educational institutions, workforce boards, community organizations, or public sector programs that support employment and career advancement. Familiarity with workforce systems, job readiness programming, career pathway development, employer engagement, and performance tracking is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of workforce development practices, employment barriers, community engagement strategies, and program coordination principles; ability to build partnerships and work effectively with residents, employers, educators, service providers, and community stakeholders; ability to organize initiatives, track outcomes, and manage multiple priorities; skill in research, reporting, presentation development, and written communication; ability to analyze needs and support practical solutions; and proficiency in standard office software, database systems, and program tracking tools.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in both office and community settings and requires regular interaction with residents, employers, training partners, educational institutions, and the public. The position may require local travel for meetings, events, recruitment activities, site visits, and community engagement efforts, as well as occasional attendance at functions outside of regular business hours.