Business and Employment Specialist (BES2) in the North Portland WorkSource Office

Business and Employment Specialist (BES2) North Portland WorkSource Office Employee Position Salary: $4,519 - $6,276 What you will do: Interview a high volume of job seekers to identify goals/needs, transferable skills, and interests. Provide job seekers referrals for job listings, provide guidance for the application process, document writing, and interviewing techniques. Advise claimants of potential eligibility problems/issues to their claim. Provide progressive assessments to job seekers, as needed, to inform provision of services on an ongoing basis with other WorkSource staff. What we are looking for: Required Minimum Qualifications: Two years of experience providing customer service, which included requesting and reviewing information, documentation, and deciding an action based on the information. Examples of qualifying experience are eligibility interviewer, application examiner, unemployment insurance, examination proctor, information clerk, insurance aide, public counter intake person, employment and claims aide, employment services, job placement, recruiter, vocational guidance, or retail industry if it involved the above stated experience. Two years of education or experience; listed above are examples of acceptable experience. 45‑quarter (30‑semester) college‑level credits in Human Resources, Vocational or Career Counseling, Social Services, Psychology, Education, Business or Public Administration, Communication or related field substitute for one year of experience. Desired Attributes Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Demonstrate respect, patience, and cultural awareness when assisting job seekers from diverse backgrounds. Create a welcoming environment where every customer feels supported. Strong Customer Service and Communication Skills: Provide clear, friendly, and professional assistance across all service points. Actively listen, ask clarifying questions, and explain processes using simple, accessible language to support customer confidence and independence. Technical Comfort with Everyday Digital Tools: Confidently use and assist customers with Microsoft Office tools, file management, scanning and uploading documents, and navigating web‑based workforce systems. Help customers build the digital skills needed to move forward. Helpful to have experience using artificial intelligence. Ability to Work Independently and as Part of a Collaborative Team: Operate efficiently with minimal supervision while collaborating with teammates to ensure smooth customer flow and consistent service delivery. Communicate clearly and support shared problem‑solving. Adaptability and Creative Problem‑Solving: Shift quickly based upon changing customer needs or unexpected situations. Use flexibility, resourcefulness, and innovative thinking to troubleshoot issues and help customers successfully navigate onsite and digital services. What’s in it for you: A workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment and encourages learning and mentoring. Rewarding work in a dynamic and creative environment with colleagues who are passionate about public service. Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package. Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity! Get There - Oregon’s easy‑to‑use carpool matching tool and trip planner. Additional Information: During the application process, the State of Oregon does not request nor require information regarding an applicant’s age, date of birth, or educational attendance or graduation dates. The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification. This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). This recruitment may be used to fill current and future Permanent, Limited Duration, Job Rotation and Temporary vacancies as they occur. The salary listed is the non‑PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS‑qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6.95%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details. Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. Salary Determination: The information in your Workday profile will be used to complete an equal pay assessment to determine salary placement upon hire. United States Employment Eligibility: The Oregon Employment Department does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I‑9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards. The Oregon Employment Department is an E‑Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate you must present your I‑9 acceptable documents (See page 2) for employment verification. WORK LOCATION INFORMATION: This position will report to the North Portland WorkSource Office and is not suitable for remote or hybrid remote work. CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK: The Employment Department is committed to being a leader in providing its employees with fair and equal employment opportunities and recognizes that as a best practice in equity and inclusion, criminal background check policies shall be job related and consistent with business necessity. For positions with authorized access to FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) information, a separate criminal records check is conducted by the Oregon State Police. If you would like further information on how each criminal records check is conducted, please read our Criminal Record Check Policy or contact us at the number below with any questions. Note: To verify identification, the successful candidate will be subject to a criminal background check which may require a fingerprint‑based background check as a condition of employment. Contact Information If you have questions about the position or need an alternate format to apply, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io; View email address on click.appcast.io. Please be sure to include the job requisition ID number. Helpful Links & Resources Reasonable Accommodations Veterans Resources How to Set Job Alerts Workday Applicant FAQ Interview Scoring Criteria used during recruitment What You Need to Know to Get the Job Guidance our hiring managers use: Equity and Inclusion Recruitment Question Guide for Managers and Gender Identity and Expression Procedure Come for a job. Stay for a career. Make a difference ... for a lifetime! The Oregon Employment Department is an Equal Opportunity, Aff… Equal Opportunity Statement The Oregon Employment Department is an Equal Opportunity, Aff… we foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to maintain a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or status as a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking. This applies to every aspect of our employment practices, including recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, and training. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.” #J-18808-Ljbffr Employment Department