Job Development Specialist II - Spanish Speaking Preferred

There is currently one vacancy located in Employment Services. This recruitment may also be used to fill future vacancies.

About the role

Under general supervision, the Job Development Specialist will provide a variety of job development services, including assessing clients for employment-related service strategies, promoting and developing employment opportunities, facilitating workshops, and supporting Federal and State funded programs. The role involves community outreach, maintaining employer relationships, and providing employment support to individuals with barriers such as mental health diagnoses, developmental disabilities, medical barriers, and criminogenic history. The specialist may also have project lead responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Identify and establish working relationships with area employers to market the County's workforce programs and clients.
• Develop and update job listings.
• Facilitate employment-related workshops.
• Explain program advantages to employers and follow up on their participation.
• Secure job openings matching clients' training and vocational goals.
• Place clients in employment opportunities by matching their skills with job requirements.
• Participate in outreach and recruitment activities, including job fairs.
• Assess clients' job readiness and advise on vocational issues and barriers.
• Provide support services such as resume development, job search strategies, and interviewing skills.
• Conduct employment seminars in jails or other in-custody settings to support re-entry.
• Serve in a consultative role to clients, case managers, and others to resolve problems.
• Develop and coordinate job development resources, such as a job bank, and provide work direction to support staff.
• Advise clients on on-the-job interpersonal skills and appropriate work communication.
• Monitor and record client progress, including case notes, letters, and reports.
• Track clients' retention and maintain communication with employers to address issues.
• Operate a motor vehicle to visit employers, attend job fairs, and provide related services.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of job development and client placement.
• Understanding of local labor market trends and employment opportunities in business, industry, and government.
• Basic principles of marketing and public relations related to job development.
• Familiarity with task analysis techniques for job coaching.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, as well as County and program policies.
• Proficiency in computer applications related to the work.
• Understanding of office administrative practices and procedures, including records management.

Skills

• Ability to effectively market and represent programs, clients, and services to employers.
• Skill in securing job openings and matching clients to jobs.
• Ability to advise clients on employment and related issues and refer them to other resources.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with clients, employers, and staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to explain and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Proficiency in establishing and maintaining accurate records and preparing clear reports.
• Experience with software programs such as MS Word, MS Excel, and Publisher.
• Spanish-speaking bilingual skills preferred.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Job Development Specialist I: Bachelor's degree in public administration, marketing, human resources, social sciences, or a related field.
• Job Development Specialist II: Two years of professional experience providing job development, job placement, and support services for job seekers, including first-time entrants, unemployed, and dislocated workers.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Knowledge of or experience in workforce development and grant-funded employment training and placement initiatives.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including individuals with mental health disabilities, those in recovery programs, incarcerated/formerly incarcerated individuals, and others with employment barriers.
• Experience collaborating with treatment providers, case managers, and Department of Rehabilitation staff.
• Experience advocating for clients and partnering with employers.
• Ability to work productively with individuals facing employment barriers.
• Knowledge of career assessment, advising, mentoring, interviewing, and labor market intelligence analysis.
• Familiarity with community resources, referral services, and local labor market trends.