The Workforce Development Specialist I is a key associate at Hope Network whose primary responsibilities include: Serve as an employment case manager for participants referred for career development, job placement and retention services. This includes providing employability skills training, career development and supportive services for participants, developing on-going relationships with employers and referral sources, and connecting participants to needed community resources. The Workforce Development Specialist I will function within internal and external teams to deliver seamless services to the participant and to ensure that positive relationships are maintained resulting in the optimum employment outcome for participants.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of job functions. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The employee is required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as assigned.

1. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential requirement of this position.
2. Complete new referral eligibility, orientation and intake including administering, scoring and reviewing employability and interest assessments.
3. Maintain accurate metrics as required including timely and thorough completion of all necessary program assignments, progress reports, billing requirements, and other required documentation.
4. Maintain accurate record of services provided to participants using various computer data systems i.e. case noting, data entry, written progress reports.
5. Maintain accurate, timely and current participant information/files including documentation and metrics.
6. Connect participants to necessary ancillary services using warm transfers whenever possible.
7. Act as an advocate and/or a liaison coordinating services among providers of service and referral source.
8. Connect positively with community agencies and resources serving as liaison for participant to ensure appropriate service matches and to promote agency and its mission.
9. Facilitate employability skills training including but not limited to: employability and personal responsibility and behavior workshops and resume’ development.
10. Interview participants seeking new employment and endeavors to identify career objectives suited to their abilities. Develop and update regularly individual strategies for overcoming challenges to employment using the Individual Written Placement Plan (IWWP) or Individual Service Strategies (ISS) with program participants.
11. Provide career development coaching in accordance to program requirements, current labor market and employer demands, and participant’s needs including but not limited to: accountability, positive reinforcement, and guidance.
12. Assess and determine if participant has completed program requirements and is eligible for Transitional Work, On the Job Training, Classroom Training or Competitive Employment Search Assistance.
13. Provide appropriate support services, including referrals to outside agencies, to assist in ensuring successful job placement.
14. Maintain regular and consistent contact with participant through all phases of employment (employment readiness, job search, transitional work, job placement, and job retention) as per the WFD Participant Contact Policy.
15. Develop partnerships with employers through communication with the employer to determine their workforce needs, understanding employers' product, requirements, and style of operating, and advocate for good job fit participants for placement with the employer and to promote agency and its mission.
16. Develop community resources providing new and updated information to HN WFD Admin Specialist responsible for maintaining the community resource book.
17. Maintain positive relationships with coworkers with a willingness to learn from others to ensure a cohesive team environment.
18. Cross train with other Career Development Specialists/Programs

Addendum for Essential Functions if Applicable for multiple departments :

KENT COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT-HARNESSING OUR POTENTIAL TO EXCEL AND YOUR UNLIMITED POTENTIAL PROGRAMS

1. Serves as a case manager/employment specialist for justice-involved youth in the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center and/or Kent County Probation Office.
2. Clearance is required to be able to grant access to Kent County Juvenile Detention Center.

KENT COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT-EMPLOYMENT SERVICES COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM

1. Represents Hope Network within the community in the Employment Services Collaborative, a new United Way funded initiative consisting of a unique eight organization collaboration using the Human Centered Design model.
2. Lead Navigator for Hope Network within the collaboration, working with Navigators from the other collaborating organizations to develop the processes and systems used to best meet the needs of participants, measure outcomes, and gain future funding.
3. Responsible for program development in collaboration with outside organizations and agencies involving intensive operational and service development to shape and form how this collaboration will evolve.
4. Serves as the point of contact for WFD’s Transitional Work Experience (TWE) worksites. Will be the face of Hope Network WFD with employers (Plant Managers/Supervisors, Human Resource Managers/Recruiters, etc.) within the community; serving participants across Hope Network programs and partner organizations.

KENT COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT-Harnessing Our Potential to Excel and Your Unlimited Potential Programs

1. Serves as a case manager/employment specialist for justice-involved youth in the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center and/or Kent County Probation Office.
2. Clearance is required to be able to grant access to Kent County Juvenile Detention Center.

Educational / Talent Requirements:

1. High School diploma or equivalent.
2. BA/BS in human service or related field from an accredited institution or equivalent employment experience, preferred.
3. Demonstrate ability to communicate in both verbal and written formats to meet position responsibilities.
4. Ability to work with diverse populations and individuals with socioeconomic challenges.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of current employment practices and opportunities.
6. Proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite including ability to type 40 wpm.

Work Experience Requirements:

1. 2 years’ experience in Human Services or Workforce Development, preferred.
2. 2 years work experience with justice involved individuals and/or individuals with socioeconomic disadvantages, preferred.
3. Experience with data collection and report writing.
4. Experience working in collaboration with other agencies/organizations
5. Experience with managing a caseload or assisting multiple clients with barriers to employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.