Employment Specialist 3 (WSS3): WorkSource Cowlitz Wahkiakum
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
State of Washington's Employment Security Department seeks an Employment Specialist in Kelso, WA. The role combines in-office support with community outreach to help job seekers connect with employers and navigate agency services.
You will use strong communication and tech skills to build trust, manage program requirements, and deliver staff-assisted services. This position features one remote day per week and in-person work the rest of the week.
Qualifications
- One year (1) as a WorkSource Specialist 2 within the Employment Security Department, or in an equivalent class with another state’s Employment Security agency.
- Two years (2) years of professional experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or professional public contact work.
- A combination of education and/or relevant experience equals two (2) or more years.
Responsibilities
- Provide staff-assisted customer services, such as group and individual in-depth interviews, registrations, and review of job readiness and barriers.
- Use tests to identify employment goals and develop service plans.
- Provide information about agency services and refer to resources in person, virtually, and by phone.
- Meet one-on-one with customers to discuss job search strategies and labor market information.
- Answer calls and respond to emails and in-person inquiries.
- Assist customers in using resource center services, resumes, applications, and interview skills.
- Provide basic information on unemployment benefits and route issues to the appropriate staff.
- Monitor program performance and generate reports as required by supervisors.
- Collaborate with WorkSource partners on enrollments and eligibility.
- Represent the workforce partnership and maintain responsive communication with partners.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The ideal candidate for this position will excel in serving a diverse range of customers, whether individually or in groups, with both empathy and professionalism. They should confidently engage in community outreach to connect job seekers with employers. Demonstrating exceptional customer service skills and computer proficiency is crucial. Additionally, the candidate must be highly organized and adaptable, especially under pressure, to thrive in this role.
Workforce Services Division (WSD) is made up of three Lines of Business: WorkSource, Central Operations System Support, and Washington Service Corps (WSC). WSD administers the Labor Exchange (LEX), Migrant Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW), Veterans Services, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), and WorkFirst and RESEA programs for job seekers and employers in Washington and provides job seekers with referrals to partners providing Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) adult, youth, and dislocated worker training and support services.
NOTE: This is a project role with an anticipated end date of 6/30/2028.
As an Employment Specialist, you’ll provide personalized support both in the office and through community outreach to help individuals achieve their employment goals. Your excellent communication and tech skills will be crucial in building trusting relationships and managing program requirements. This role is located in Kelso, Washington and offers one day a week of remote work (subject to schedule needs), with the remainder of the week reporting in-person to the WorkSource Cowlitz Wahkiakum office.
Some of your daily tasks include but not limited to:
- Provide staff-assisted customer services, such as group and individual in[depth interviews, partial and full registrations, and review job readiness, employment barriers, and customer needs.
- Use skill, interest, and aptitude tests using informal tools to identify employment and/or training goals, develop and monitor service plans, and develop recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Provide information in person, virtually, and over the phone about the full range of agency services and programs and refer to appropriate agency and community resources.
- Meet one on one with customers to answer questions about job search strategies, provide Labor Market information, review resumes and cover letters, and assist with interviewing skills.
- Answer phone calls and direct to the appropriate team as well as providing timely responses to email and face-to-face interactions.
- Assist customers in the use of resource center services including technology, resumes, applications, and interview skills training to prepare for job openings.
- Provide basic information on how to apply for unemployment benefits, direct UI customer concerns, issues, and problems to the liaison or supervisor.
- Monitor WorkSource program performance management activity within agency reporting systems and create and disseminate reports as required by supervisors and managers.
- Collaborate with WorkSource partners regarding enrollments, program guidelines, training recommendations, and negotiate and confirm customer eligibility.
- Represent the workforce partnership, communicate, and work closely with partners and stakeholders; be responsive to requests.
Option 1
- One year (1) as a WorkSource Specialist 2 within the Employment Security Department, or in an equivalent class with another state’s Employment Security agency.
Option 2
- Two years (2) years of professional experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or professional public contact work.
Option 3
- A combination of education and/or relevant experience equals two (2) or more years.
- Employment Coaching Expertise: Ability to provide career guidance and training.
- Workforce Development Knowledge: Proficiency in outlining employment options.
- Data Management Expertise: Ability to track job seeker and employer interactions systematically.
- Employment Support and Referral Expertise: Ability to assess job seekers’ needs effectively.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Proficiency in finding solutions and directing individuals to the correct services.
- Digital Literacy and Online Navigation Expertise: Ability to support job seekers in using web-based employment tools.
- Customer Assistance Skills: Proficiency in guiding individuals through digital job search platforms.
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Associate Degree = 2 years | Bachelors Degree = 4 years | Master's Degree or Higher = 5 years
- Must be able to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) & Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.
Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
This Organization Participates in E-Verify
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