Employer Engagement Specialist, Utility Infrastructure

Civic Works; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Works in Baltimore seeks an Employer Engagement Specialist, Utility Infrastructure, to build and sustain employer partnerships in the utility, construction and infrastructure sector. The role focuses on sourcing openings, presenting candidates, and guiding graduates through their first 90 days on the job.

You will coordinate incumbent worker training and on-the-job training with employer partners while aligning with Civic Works' job quality framework and equity goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of experience in employer engagement, business services, job development, recruiting, sales/account management, workforce development, or a closely related field.
• Experience in or knowledge of the utility, construction or infrastructure industries preferred.
• Experience coordinating incumbent worker training, OJT or other grant-funded training preferred.
• Proficiency in Google and Microsoft Office suites; Salesforce experience is a plus.
• Experience working in diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, cultivate and partner with utility, construction and infrastructure employers.
• Source openings and present candidates to employers; coordinate interviews with coaches.
• Maintain employer relationships and provide post-placement support during the first 90 days.
• Coordinate incumbent worker training and on-the-job training with employer partners; meet grant requirements.
• Plan and coordinate employer-facing events and track outcomes in Salesforce.

Skills

Relationship-building

Sales outreach

Communication

Organization

Advocacy

Team collaboration

Judgment & discretion

Driver's license

Tools

CRM system

Salesforce

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position title: Employer Engagement Specialist, Utility InfrastructureSupervisory responsibilities: NoneBudget responsibilities: NoneReports to: Employer Engagement & Job Quality ManagerFLSA Classification: ExemptOrganization Summary:Founded in 1993, Civic Works strengthens communities through education, skills development, and community service. Our Center for Sustainable Careers (CSC) houses our Career Pathways and Career Exploration (YouthBuild) workforce development programs, which expand access to family-sustaining careers for Baltimore residents facing significant barriers to quality employment. CSC supports participants in building technical and soft skills, earning marketable certifications, and accessing wraparound case management and job placement services, while also helping employers adopt practices - including competitive compensation, health benefits, paid leave, and leadership training - that strengthen retention and improve outcomes for employees.Position Summary:The Employer Engagement Specialist, Utility Infrastructure (UI) is responsible for the employer side of every UI graduate's job placement. The Specialist recruits and cultivates utility, construction and infrastructure employers, sources openings against the UI track's placement-ready list, presents candidates, and stays in contact with employers through each graduate's first 90 days on the job. The Specialist also coordinates incumbent worker training and on-the-job training (OJT) with UI employer partners. As a member of the UI track team, the Specialist works alongside the UI Program Manager, Student Success Coaches and Job Readiness Coach, and brings Civic Works' job quality standards into every employer relationship.Through employer engagement, the Specialist advances Civic Works’ commitment to expanding access to quality jobs and career pathways for residents who have historically been excluded from employment opportunities, including people impacted by the criminal justice system, housing instability, and other systems.Primary Responsibilities:1) Employer Recruitment and Partnership DevelopmentIdentify, initiate and cultivate relationships with utility, construction, infrastructure and equipment operation employers offering family-sustaining careers for UI graduates.Conduct employer meetings, site visits and virtual engagement, tailoring outreach to each employer's hiring model, credential requirements and hiring calendar.Maintain a pipeline of employer partners and openings large enough to meet the UI track's placement targets.Build relationships with apprenticeship programs and unions in the UI sector, in coordination with the Employer Engagement & Job Quality Manager.Represent Civic Works at industry events, partner meetings and community convenings.2) Job PlacementSource openings against the UI track's placement-ready list, matching each graduate's training, credentials and career goals to employer needs.Present candidates to employers and arrange interviews; share interview details with the Student Success Coach, who prepares the student for each interview.Bring current openings, employer expectations and upcoming employer events to weekly group job search.Relay employer feedback on candidates and interviews to the student's coach and the track team.Participate in the regular UI case review for students.3) Employer Relationship Management and Post-Placement SupportCheck in with employers regularly during each graduate's first 90 days on the job, addressing issues on the employer side while the coach works with the graduate.Advocate for graduates in employer interactions and help resolve issues that arise after placement.Gather employer feedback on graduate performance, curriculum and credentials, and share it with the UI Program Manager and the Employer Engagement & Job Quality Manager to inform program improvements.Support employer partners in adopting equitable hiring and retention practices, using Civic Works' job quality framework.4) Incumbent Worker and On-the-Job TrainingCoordinate incumbent worker training with UI employer partners, including employer outreach, course scheduling, enrollment and communication of program expectations.Coordinate OJT placements and agreements with UI employers, and monitor trainee attendance, progress and completion.Meet grant requirements for incumbent worker training and OJT, and collect post-training outcomes.5) Employer Events, Data and ReportingPlan and coordinate UI employer-facing events, including job fairs, employer presentations and screenings, site visits and industry demonstrations, timed to cohort job readiness and graduation.Document all employer and candidate interactions, placements and starting wages in Salesforce.Track progress toward the UI track's targets for placements, starting wages, new employer partners developed, openings sourced per graduate and partner engagement.Secondary Responsibilities:Participate in staff and team meetings, graduations and cohort orientations.Maintain updated labor market data and information for the utility and infrastructure sectors.Provide coverage for the Solar/Roofing and EMS Employer Engagement Specialist during absences.Perform other related duties as neededEducation & Experience:At least two years of experience in employer engagement, business services, job development, recruiting, sales/account management, workforce development, or a closely related field.Experience in or knowledge of the utility, construction or infrastructure industries preferred.Experience coordinating incumbent worker training, OJT or other grant-funded training preferred.Proficiency in the Google and Microsoft Office suites and experience working in a CRM or similar data management system; Salesforce experience is a plus but not required.Experience working in and creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments.Skills & Abilities:Strong relationship-building, sales and communication skills, including cold outreach to new employers.Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple employer relationships, openings and candidates at once.Ability to advocate for graduates with employers while maintaining strong employer partnerships.Ability to work as a member of a track team and share information promptly with coaches and program staff.Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive employer and participant information.Commitment to expanding access to family-sustaining jobs for Baltimore residents facing barriers to employment, including people with criminal records.Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for employer visits and job sites.Work Environment & Physical Demands:Work schedule is typically Monday-Friday (8:00 am - 4:00 pm), with occasional early mornings, evenings or weekends to meet employer schedules and attend eventsRegular local travel to employer sites, job sites and partner meetingsThis position is eligible for a hybrid schedule. Candidates must be able to commute to the Baltimore City office at least four days per week, with the option to work remotely up to one day per week.During the 90-day orientation period, additional in-office days will be required. This arrangement is subject to change based on organizational needs and may be adjusted to include additional in-person time.