Workforce Development Specialist

Job Summary:

The Workforce Development Specialist will play a key role in the success of New Hampshire’s newly established workforce program, NH Vibrant, Inclusive and Prosperous (VIP).  A team of Workforce Development Specialists will be conducting an aggressive outreach campaign to help increase project visibility, employment outcomes, and WIOA Adult program enrollments.  Within an assigned territory or embedded within the day to day operations of an identified partner organization(s), the Workforce Development Specialist will work in close coordination with the local WIOA Career Navigator to ensure strategic communication is continuously maintained, policies are followed, and adequate levels of technical assistance is provided in a way that will allow the program to achieve established goals.  Remain intently focused on capacity building and relationship development with agencies and/or organizations working with historically marginalized populations or those that have been systemically excluded. These populations include, but are not limited to: communities of color, immigrant and refugees, caregivers to children, the disabled, individuals that are 55 years of age or older, women, LGBTQ+ community, homeless individuals, single parents, and Veterans.  The Outreach Specialists primary objective is to work closely with these organizations and prospective applicants to better understand the services that are available in the VIP and WIOA Adult programs.  Program applicants will receive a high degree of technical assistance while completing the online application; support with obtaining all necessary forms of documentation, and actively working with each individuals until enrollment has been completed.  Workforce Development Specialists will also be working with NH business, to assess their immediate and future workforce needs, promote the menu of services that are available through BEA, the WIOA Adult program, and the local NH Works offices. 

JOB RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Work with Project Manager to develop strategic outreach plans tailor to assigned territory.
• Attend business- led meeting/functions (e.g., Chamber of Commerce meetings, breakfast forums, etc.) for the purpose of marketing programs and assessing local workforce needs and/or trends.
• Educate employers on the various incentive and services that are available in NH.
• Conduct customer outreach and technical assistance with program application and eligibility determination.
• Conduct client-tracking functions including timely and accurate on-going data entry of customer information into the WIOA case management system.
• Provide information on and arrange for Support Services based on the participant needs.
• Participate in job related training opportunities including cross training for other staff.
• Become familiar with and refer customers to appropriate community resources.
• Will maintain professional boundaries with all current, past and prospective clients and maintain the confidentiality of clients and staff in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Will abide by all SNHS Safety policies and procedures.
• Will present professional and positive image as a representative of SNHS.
• Responsible for having adequate knowledge of all local SNHS programs and will gather sufficient intake information to make referrals to other SNHS programs which are beneficial to the client and his/her family.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Ability to work in an integrated service delivery environment.
• Strong marketing and outreach skills.
• Experience working with employers, private and public educational institutions, and/or re-employment agencies.
• Dependability, reliability, and flexibility in performing required statewide coverage and assuming varied assignments and projects as needed.
• Experience working with target populations (i.e. immigrants and refugees, veterans, low income, disabled, older adults, women, single parents, communities of color, LGBTQ+, and homeless individuals)
• Workforce development experience; including knowledge of USDOL regulations, case management, career planning, customer service, job development, labor market information.
• Experience in providing employment counseling services.
• Effective communicator, including written, oral and public speaking for conducting workshops as needed.
• Creative thinking, problem-solving, & decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team (both internally and in the community) to ensure maximum level of coordinated services that benefit the customer, are achieved.
• Knowledge of professional ethics, including confidentiality policy.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: 

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Education, Business Administration or Marketing, and 3 years of employment counseling and case management experience and 3 years of experience in recruiting candidate, marketing to employers, job development with demonstrated placement success.  Experience in job task analysis and sales work a plus. Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative team setting required.  Ability to travel statewide is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating the skills, knowledge, and ability required for this position may substitute for degree.