Employment Specialist/Trainer

The Employment Specialist is responsible for identifying, developing, and maintaining relationships with employers and departmental partners to create meaningful job opportunities for job seekers. The Employment Specialist collaborates with instructors, case managers, vocational counselors, workforce staff, and other professionals to place individuals in suitable positions, particularly those facing employment barriers. The role also supports participant engagement, career readiness, recruitment efforts, job placement, retention, and facilitation of workforce programming under the direction of the Workforce Specialist Program Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

1.

Employer Outreach and Relationship Building:

Develop and maintain strong relationships with local businesses, employers, and other agency partners to create job and alternative training opportunities. Identify potential employers through networking, cold calling, referrals, community engagement, and attendance at industry events. Educate employers about the benefits of hiring participants within the program, including tax incentives, credentials, training supports, and other available services. Serve as a consistent point of contact for employer partners to strengthen recruitment, placement, and retention outcomes. 2.

Departmental Recruitment and Talent Pipeline Development:

Lead and support heavy departmental recruitment efforts to identify employment opportunities, employer needs, and participant placement pathways across workforce programs. Build, manage, and maintain a recruitment pipeline of employers, job leads, training partners, and placement opportunities aligned with program credentials and participant goals. Coordinate recruitment activities with internally and externally to ensure participants are connected to appropriate employment opportunities and workforce services. Track recruitment outreach, employer responses, job openings, participant referrals, interviews, placements, and follow-up outcomes. Participate in recruitment events, job fairs, information sessions, community outreach, and employer-facing activities that support departmental placement goals. 3.

Job Development and Placement:

Work closely with instructors, case managers, and workforce staff to understand the skills, qualifications, credentials, and employment goals of job seekers. Identify and create job opportunities that align with the skills and interests of job seekers and the credentials of the program. Match job seekers with suitable job openings and coordinate interviews between employers and candidates. Provide support and guidance to job seekers during the application, interview, hiring, and onboarding process. Support participants in gaining and retaining employment through individualized coaching, career counseling, and job placement assistance. 4.

Program Facilitation Support:

Serve as an additional facilitator for workforce programming, supporting the Career Specialist Program Manager, who serves as the master facilitator. Assist with the delivery of workshops, participant sessions, employment readiness activities, recruitment sessions, and workforce development trainings. Follow facilitation standards, curriculum guidance, agendas, and participant engagement strategies established by the Career Specialist Program Manager. Help prepare facilitation materials, participant handouts, attendance records, workshop documentation, and follow-up activities. Provide facilitation coverage and support as needed to ensure consistent program delivery and participant engagement. 5.

Employer Support and Follow-Up:

Offer ongoing support to employers after job placements to ensure successful integration of job seekers into the workplace. Address concerns or issues that arise between employers and job seekers to promote job retention. Act as a liaison between the employer and job seeker to facilitate communication and resolve workplace challenges. Conduct follow-up with participants and employers to monitor progress, retention, and satisfaction. 6.

Market Research and Analysis:

Conduct market research to identify industry trends, labor market demands, hiring patterns, and emerging job opportunities. Analyze employer needs, job descriptions, and job requirements that align with job seekers skills, credentials, and career goals. Monitor the local job market to identify new employment opportunities and trends that could benefit job seekers and workforce programs. Share labor market and recruitment insights with the Career Specialist Program Manager and relevant departmental staff. 7.

Collaboration and Networking:

Collaborate with instructors, case managers, and other professionals to develop comprehensive employment plans for job seekers. Participate in community events, job fairs, recruitment events, and industry meetings to build a network of employer and workforce contacts. Advocate for job seekers needs and promote their strengths to potential employers. Coordinate with the Career Specialist Program Manager to align recruitment, facilitation, and placement activities with program goals. 8.

Documentation and Reporting:

Maintain detailed records of employer contacts, recruitment activities, job leads, job placements, participant referrals, and follow-up activities. Prepare reports on job development activities, departmental recruitment efforts, employment outcomes, facilitation support, and employer satisfaction. Ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, including those related to confidentiality, documentation, participant records, and non-discrimination. Use program systems and tracking tools to document recruitment, facilitation, placement, and retention outcomes accurately and timely. 9.

Training and Workshops:

Develop and deliver, or co-facilitate, workshops and training sessions for job seekers on topics such as resume writing, interview skills, job search strategies, workplace expectations, and career readiness. Provide training or information to employers on working with diverse populations, including individuals with disabilities or those with other barriers to employment. Support participant readiness for recruitment events, interviews, employer meetings, and job placement opportunities.

Qualifications:

Education:

A bachelor's degree in human services, business administration, marketing, workforce development, education, or a related field is preferred. Relevant professional experience in workforce development, recruitment, facilitation, job placement, employer engagement, or human services may be considered.

Skills:

Strong networking, recruitment, and relationship-building skills. Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to analyze labor market trends and identify job opportunities. Experience coordinating recruitment activities, employer outreach, participant engagement, and placement pipelines. Persuasive and confident in promoting job seekers to potential employers. Strong organizational skills and ability to track recruitment, facilitation, placement, and follow-up activities. Problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict-resolution abilities. Ability to collaborate with a master facilitator, program manager, and cross-functional workforce team.

Working Conditions:

The role may require significant time spent in the community, meeting with employers, attending events, conducting recruitment activities, and supporting workforce programming. The Employment Specialist may work with a diverse range of job seekers, requiring adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and a strengths-based approach. The role may require flexible scheduling to support recruitment events, workshops, employer meetings, and participant programming.

Pay:

$48,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Flexible schedule Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Mileage reimbursement On-the-job training Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Vision insurance

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Wilmington, DE 19805