Workforce Development Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $22/hour

The Center for People is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative services and programs to the low-income community in Lincoln, Nebraska, addressing basic needs and providing opportunities to achieve economic independence for our clients.

We are currently looking for a Workforce Development Specialist. This position is a full-time, 40 hour per week, onsite position.

I. GENERAL FUNCTIONS

The Workforce Development Specialist will play a key role in supporting transitional planning for justice-impacted individuals by offering comprehensive services that include skill-building, education, employer connections, case management, and post-release support. This position also focuses on cultivating and enhancing relationships with employers, facilitating job placements, and optimizing employment outcomes for program participants.

II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Connect program participants to meaningful employment through our network of Employers of Choice

Assist the Workforce Development Manager in coordinating company virtual tours of Employers of Choice that showcase day-to-day operations, company culture, employee testimonials, and growth opportunities

Manage and regularly update digital job boards to promote employment opportunities, highlight program success stories, and advertise career fairs and job openings

Offer personalized support to participants enrolling in the Career Connection program, ensuring smooth transitions and success in the job-search process

Schedule regular check-ins (monthly) with participants to support their job search through tailored resume critiques, interview practice, job application assistance, and professional communication with employers

Track participants' progress, ensuring continuous follow-up on job searches, employment status, wage adjustments, and job retention

Build strong relationships through regular communication, understand and address the unique needs and challenges of both employers and employees, and collaborate to improve these connections

Coordinate alumni reintegration events, enacting engagement initiatives, and supporting events as career fairs, all aimed at ensuring a positive and supportive experience for job seekers

Schedule meetings with Employers of Choice to monitor participant performance and gather feedback, identifying areas for improvement and advocating for participants

Supervise and document activities within the computer and virtual reality labs, ensuring a smooth flow for learners and job seekers

Use the HMIS Clarity Database and other various data collection tools to track and measure participant progress and outcomes, and measure program impact, to ensure they meet funder requirements

Travel to facilities such as CCCL or LCDC to provide workforce development services and promote our programs

Facilitate check-ins, deliver curriculum, and/or provide 5 Keys Classes authorized by the Nebraska Department of Corrections to support justice-impacted community members in their personal development and reintegration efforts.

Provide a continuum of care by offering a holistic approach that addresses the diverse needs of justice-impacted community members, ensuring access to resources, emotional support, and skills development for successful reintegration into the workforce.

Maintain situational awareness of program environments and the location of participants at all times

Utilize de-escalation techniques when needed and redirect participants from behaviors that deviate from Center for People standards

Communicate with participants to understand their computer-related interests, educational needs, technical proficiency levels, and employment interests

Maintain flexible work schedule to ensure organizational needs are being met, may include weekend and evening hours

Ability to manage time effectively and discipline to work autonomously

Exhibit high integrity and ability to set and maintain ethical professional boundaries with program participants

Safeguard and prioritize confidentiality by handling sensitive information with the utmost discretion and integrity

Support organizational strategies in response to affirming organizational goals Operate in accordance with all contracts, government regulations, and Center for People policies and procedures

Organize and manage time to ensure organizational needs are being met within the time restraints

Other duties as assigned

III. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Strong interpersonal and communication skills; both verbal and written, including communicating with a wide variety of stakeholders

Strong leadership skills that can be leveraged in a collaborative setting

Must be able to proactively think, plan, and execute resourcefully

Must be able to solve problems and be solution-oriented

Ability to work independently and to handle multiple projects and priorities

Proficiency in programs including but not limited to Word, Excel, Outlook, Interplay Learning, HMIS Clarity Database, GoSkills, Coursera, and Penn Foster

Willingness and ability to learn new software programs

Ability to receive constructive feedback

Ability to take personal accountability for fulfilling job responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative and ownership of personal

Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with internal and external stakeholders

Skilled at possessing professionalism, courtesy, tact, and sound judgement

IV. DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelors degree in Education, Social Work, Organizational Development, or related field preferred, OR a minimum of 2 years of work experience in supervision, case management, career or education counseling, or related field.

V. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from a senior high school or equivalent

Must 18 years of age

Valid Nebraska drivers license and current motor vehicle insurance

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, frequently is required to sit, occasionally to stand; walk; arms reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally move up to 30 pounds regularly. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus when operating a computer, working with numbers, and use of forklift and other heavy machinery. Work is primarily in an indoor setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Center for People is an Equal Opportunity Employer