VT WFW Employment Specialist (VT, Jerico)

Major responsibilities include (not all inclusive):

• Conduct an annual evaluation by the 30th of September of existing partnered employers, policies, and data tracking systems to include those involving the Military & Family Support Center (1-888) phone line and provide recommendations for program improvements.
• On an annual basis, develop and provide an outline detailing the approach for the conduct of the Work for Warriors Program and related activities and events. The approach shall include a general description of phases, timelines and support required to complete objectives, tasks and special projects. The report is due within 30 days of the start of the initial contract award.
• Identify community resources and services available to Service Members, Veterans and Families within all Vermont Counties; develop and maintain relationships with community partners (local, state and national) that can assist them with their needs for employment assistance, education benefits and transition services.
• Research, coordinate and implement effective outreach techniques for all demographics and stakeholders.
• Manage the Military & Family Support Center (1-888) phone line. Refer callers to applicable resources available within communities and emergency support services.
• Maintain Military & Family Support Center (1-888) phone line coverage during the core hours of Monday through Friday, 0730-1630.
• Complete a categorized situation report (SITREP) for each mission-relevant call received and store SITREPs online in the network folder. SITREPs must categorize the interaction (e.g., Initial Consultation, Placement Support, Resource Referral).
• Hang-ups, wrong numbers, and non-mission inquiries shall not be counted toward performance volume.
• Evaluate operational and team processes that support the Military & Family Support Center (1-888) phone line and provide recommendations for improvements.
• Monitor and evaluate any implemented recommendations and reports results.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with state and local military, government and civilian agencies, social services agencies, community services, businesses, and civic organizations that may provide support to veterans, service members and their families.
• Provide assistance to the facilitator of the Military Family Community Network (MFCN) by educating the network on employment and outreach efforts of PRIME and other employment processes.
• Identify current gaps in service and issues within the military community to be addressed at these meetings for the purpose of educating and collectively producing solutions that will assist and improve the lives of VT veterans, service members and families.
• Collaborate with the Army and Air Recruiting and Retention Battalion by connecting them with employers to recruit existing employees to join the National Guard and to educate recruiters on how to best pitch PRIME benefits to prospective recruits.
• Provide a year in review 30 days prior to contract end date to include but not limited to accomplishments throughout the past year, data gathered in support the program, trends over the past year, partnerships, and success stories.

Employment Coordination and Outreach Activities:

• Meet with identified unemployed or underemployed National Guardsmen, Reservists, Veterans, and Spouses by briefing units (annually), employers, and stakeholders in their assigned region on the Work for Warriors program.
• Serve as the information conduit for employment assistance and resources to units, individuals, and Families at pre, during, and post mobilization events and the soldier life cycle.
• Contractor personnel should not serve as representatives or employees of the VTARNG, the Department of Defense or any of its Components.
• Provide career support, development, and maintenance of civilian-based careers. Specific services to include resume writing assistance, LinkedIn assistance, and interview skills coaching.
• Collect and review no less than ten (10) employment assessments monthly to identify client employability status and develop an individualized plan to strengthen the individual's career and employment opportunities.
• Document interaction in the database.
• Conduct substantive engagement with new candidates within two (2) Business Days of an employment request. "Substantive Engagement" is explicitly defined as a direct phone call, virtual meeting, or in-person career counseling session. Automated email responses, read-receipts, or generic mailers do not fulfill this requirement.
• Conduct after-referral surveys within 30 days of employment which should include success of the services provided to the Program Director.
• Actively engage with local businesses to expand the employment network, conducting meetings with a minimum of three (3) new companies per month. The primary performance objective of these engagements is to successfully execute a minimum of two (2) new Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) per quarter.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in career counseling, recruiting, or human resources.
• Proven expertise in resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, and interview skills coaching.
• Ability to independently conduct outreach to local businesses and negotiate employment partnerships/MOUs.
• Strong data entry skills and experience maintaining client interaction databases.
• Favorably adjudicated Tier 1 or an equivalent or higher investigation by the Office or Personnel Management.

Education Requirements and Training:

• Associate’s degree (Bachelor’s preferred) in Human Resources, Counseling, Communications, or related field.
• Must successfully complete: Awareness Training (AT) Level 1, iWatch Training, Information Assurance (IA) Training, OPSEC Training, and Other training as required to successfully fulfill job requirements.