Workforce Development Specialist

$26.57 - $39.86 Hourly

$55,273 - $82,909 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C7

Posting Details

At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST POSITION CAN BE HOUSED IN LAS CRUCES OR ALAMOGORDO

Fostering Connections provides services and supports for young people from ages 16.5-26 to include assistance with job applications, college applications, support with Medicaid and Snap and any other services needed while enrolled in Fostering Connections. Fostering Connections assists with different funding sources to assist with educational training and funding to support with furniture, deposits for housing and other resources to assist young people to transition successfully into adulthood.

*APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH & YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*


Why does the job exist?

Provide training, coaching and technical assistance to the Fostering Connections workforce to ensure that they are able to partner effectively with young people to support the transition from foster care to adulthood in developmentally appropriate and identity affirming ways; teach and support implementation of the coaching approach practice model to support growth across life domains (housing, physical and mental health, daily living skills, employment and finances, education, supportive relationships and community connections, cultural and personal identity, parenthood);


Provide technical assistance to the field, foster/adoptive families, providers, and the community regarding youth and emerging adult development, the impact of trauma, and best practices to support engagement and thriving; provide technical assistance regarding the Chaffee Act, NM Fostering Connections Services, and other legislation/policy/procedures that impact work with older youth.


How does it get done?

• Provide training, coaching and technical assistance to the Fostering Connections workforce to support ongoing work with youth and young adults. May include training specific to the Fostering Connections practice model, training for new employees and refresher training for ongoing staff development. 50%

• Develop, schedule, implement and track training and education activities and opportunities for Fostering Connections workforce. 20%

• Provide 1:1 and group coaching to Fostering Connections staff to support ongoing work with youth and young adults as well as to support ongoing staff development. 20%

• Serve as point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding Fostering Connections training and collaboration opportunities. 10%

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has experience as it relates to:

• Working with youth and young adults who have experienced system involvement and/or trauma;

• Partnering with Community Services Providers, as well as internal and external stakeholders as it relates to Children and Youth;

• Coaching and training of workforce members relating to work with youth and young adults;

• Understanding of adult learning styles and strategies to increase knowledge acquisition and retention;

• Collecting, reviewing and reporting out on data points to ensure compliance with federal, state and internal reporting requirements;

• Ability to be versatile and prioritize deadlines;

• Support services available to older youth and young adults in the community;

• Ability to maintain adherence to policy and procedure to ensure compliance.

Minimum Qualification

Associate's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Education, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Family Studies/Services, Social Sciences, or Human Services and one (1) year of experience as a social work assistant and/or in social or community coordination, working with communities, working on health or social service related matters, social work/case management experience, and/or behavioral health care. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling three (3) years may substitute for the required education and experience.


Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.


Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. May work under frequent time constraints. Travel is required.


Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Scott Patterson-Alatorre, View phone number on click.appcast.io, Email


For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.