Workforce Development Specialist

About the role

Global Connections to Employment (GCE) is a nationwide team providing jobs for people with significant disabilities, including war‑wounded veterans. Since 1986 GCE has matched team members to fulfilling careers in custodial services, facilities maintenance, food services and other business lines, working with U.S. military, commercial businesses, community partners and federal, state and local governments. As one of the country’s largest private employers of persons with disabilities, GCE helps team members maintain employment, build job‑related skills and pursue career advancement.

Responsibilities

• Assist GCE team members with disabilities in maintaining employment, building job‑related skills, and pursuing career advancement.
• Evaluate each team member’s employment needs and determine appropriate support and accommodations.
• Deliver on‑site retention services that promote performance, independence, and long‑term workplace success.
• Collaborate with team members, supervisors, and internal/external stakeholders to reduce employment barriers, support effective training, and facilitate placement or transition services when team members seek growth opportunities.

Requirements

• Related degree fields: Rehabilitation, Counseling, Social work, Psychology, Education, Human Resources, or Business Administration.
• Experience pathways:
  • High school diploma or equivalent and four years’ employment experience in vocational rehabilitation, job placement, job coaching, counseling, or related work supporting adults with disabilities.
  • Associate’s degree in a related field and two years’ experience as described above.
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field and one year’s experience as described above.
  • Master’s degree in a related field and six months’ experience as described above.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of workforce development, disability employment, job coaching, workplace accommodations, and employment retention practices.

Skills

• Skill in assessing individual employment needs, providing individualized training and support, communicating with diverse stakeholders, documenting services, and resolving workplace barriers.
• Ability to build effective relationships, advocate appropriately, maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and promote team member independence, performance, and long‑term employment success.
• Must be able to pass organization screening requirements, including state and/or federal background screenings as appropriate.

Schedule

• Schedules are subject to change; may require early morning, mid‑morning, afternoon, and/or evening hours as well as weekends and holidays.

Physical Requirements

• May travel to and from various locations and buildings throughout the year in various weather conditions; most work indoors.
• May work with cleaning chemicals.
• Will be required to follow the Emergency Operations Work Assignment per customer requirements.
• While performing duties, regularly required to bend, crouch, walk, climb stairs and ladders, reach above head, sit (to drive), and lift up to 40 pounds; occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.
• May be required to remove snow from sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas using snow shovels or snowplows.
• The mental demands, physical demands, and environmental factors described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.