Career Planner

Career Planner

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is seeking a Career Planner to join our team at the Iowa WORKS office in Decorah, Iowa.

Position Details

• Location: 312 Winnebago St., Decorah, IA
• Schedule: Full-time | Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Work Flexibility: Hybrid telework and alternate schedules available after six months of employment and training have been completed.

Agency Overview

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is a state agency committed to providing employment services for individual job seekers and to connecting employers to available workers through our Iowa WORKS partnership.

Core Responsibilities

Customer Service and Team Collaboration

• Provide courtesy, respect, and politeness during all interactions with customers, both internal and external.
• Work with and ask customers appropriate questions to determine services they are seeking and/or needing.
• Interact effectively and build respectful relationships among coworkers and partners.
• Collaborate with team members within the American Job Center (AJC), resulting in a better experience for customers.
• Provide feedback as well as potential solutions to team and/or leadership and provide first day service to Veterans.
• Promptly greet customers upon entry into the Iowa WORKS Center in a friendly and professional manner.

Career Coaching and Customer Support

• Coach, motivate, and encourage job seekers on all aspects of the job search and assist customers to build their personal and job skills for the primary goal of successful employment.
• Provide customers with assistance with preparing and tailoring resumes and cover letters and facilitate mock interviews for customers, identifying ways to improve their interview responses.
• Process paperwork for partners and team programs and services.
• Refer, direct, and result customers to appropriate workshops and employment events.
• Facilitate workshops or one-on-one appointments in-person or through virtual conferencing platform for customers/participants of system programs and services, update workshops and presentations as new information is available.
• Accurately document all services, appointments, or other pertinent information in the database system and send/receive work-related documents for customers.

Employment Services

• Assist customers by answering questions about employment and training opportunities.
• Perform "job matching" referring career opportunities to candidates in the Iowa WORKS System.
• Provide appropriate partner referrals and relay current labor market information to job candidates.

Business Services and Employer Engagement

• Provide direct services to businesses for recruitment of employees and provide information and guidance to employers on how to use the Iowa WORKS system.
• Identify sources for potential new employer customers for the AJC and participate in development and implementation of customized recruitment strategies and events.
• Provide follow-up contact and services to job seekers and business.
• Utilize case management system for tracking and maintaining employer information.
• Critique and enter job orders and referrals into the Iowa WORKS system and network with businesses to determine hiring practices and employer needs.

Unemployment Insurance and Re-employment Support

• Connect unemployment claimants with re-employment activities at the AJC.
• Adhere and refer to unemployment administration rules and Iowa law when working with customers in regard to filing unemployment insurance (UI) claims, answering questions and concerns.
• Use database systems to review salary histories, cross reference database systems to ensure personal identification information matches and adjudicate issues within the claim in accordance with all UI laws.
• Provide information to customers for UI appeals when necessary and prepare and participate in all UI appeal hearings relating to issued adjudications decisions.

Benefits of Working for the State of Iowa

Joining the IWD team and becoming a State of Iowa employee comes with a range of valuable benefits, including:

• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including nine paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with no cap on sick leave accrual.
• Prepare for the future with the IPERS retirement package, as well as an additional optional deferred compensation retirement plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Free Life and Long-term Disability Insurance with the option of purchasing additional coverage.
• Employee Assistance Programs and Discount Programs for support.

Click here to learn more about all of the amazing benefits the State of Iowa offers.

If you're looking for a career with a well-respected organization that values its employees and customers, you've come to the right place!

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify; a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit

No applicant for employment with the Iowa Department of Workforce Development can have a current, ongoing overpayment balance with Iowa Workforce Development without a payment plan in place. Select positions will be subject to a criminal background check.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field.
2. Four years of full-time work experience in career services, teaching or training to improve skills, job coaching, providing human services to individuals in need, sales, customer service, call center operations, or human-resources-related services involving interviewing, reviewing job applications, conducting employment-related assessments, or job placement.
3. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number two), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
4. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as a Workforce Associate.

Benefits

Why Choose the State of Iowa?

At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset – our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice.

Our Robust Benefits Package Includes:

Competitive Compensation

Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise.

Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendly Total Compensation Calculator. Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits.

Health and Wellness

Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.

Retirement Planning

We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind. Click here to learn more about IPERS.

Paid Time Off

Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.

Professional Development

Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and Inclusion