Employment Specialist 3 (WSS3): WorkSource Kitsap

State of Washington; Silverdale (WA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington is seeking an Employment Specialist (WSS3) in Silverdale to support job seekers and employers through coordinated employment services. This role emphasizes empathetic client service, tailored employment plans, and collaboration with community partners to drive local economic growth.

The ideal candidate will facilitate assessments, provide training resources, and connect individuals with high-impact career opportunities while navigating program requirements and maintaining

Qualifications

• Experience providing career guidance and training.
• Ability to outline employment options and connect job seekers with resources.
• Ability to track interactions between job seekers and employers.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth interviews and registrations to assess readiness and barriers.
• Develop and monitor individualized service plans for ongoing engagement.
• Administer formal skill, interest, and aptitude tests for goal setting.
• Provide career guidance and refer customers to WorkSource programs.
• Deliver individual and group coaching on job-search strategies, resumes, and interviews.
• Build relationships with job seekers to tailor support using workforce resources.
• Guide customers in using WorkSourceWA website and online tools.
• Track and manage interactions to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Contact employers to assess needs and promote WorkSource services.

Skills

Employment coaching

Workforce development

Data management

Digital literacy

Customer service

Problem solving

Education

Associate degree

Job description

The ideal candidate for the Employment Specialist (WSS3) position will excel in serving a diverse range of customers, whether individually or in groups, with both empathy and professionalism. They possess a proven ability to conduct insightful individual assessments, facilitate critical return to work services to help job seekers overcome barriers and achieve sustainable employment. In addition to supporting job seekers you will work with employers in the community and accelerate local economic growth by serving as a business liaison, where you will consult with employers to solve their hiring challenges and directly connect skilled job seekers to high-impact career opportunities.

The ideal candidate for this position is a skilled facilitator and workforce professional who develops tailored employment service plans, navigates complex program regulations, and secures critical training resources. They possess strong coaching and mentoring capabilities, enabling them to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and help those facing significant employment challenges. As a confident communicator, they use formal assessment tools and labor market data to deliver personalized training solutions, lead targeted orientations, and facilitate specialized job search curricula that empower job seekers from diverse backgrounds and significant employment challenges.

About the Workforce Services Division:

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.

Beyond individual service, they serve as a dynamic community ambassador and collaborator who builds productive partnerships with local employers and service providers to cultivate job opportunities. They possess the organizational savvy required to manage precise records, maintain strict compliance with program protocols, and efficiently support front-line operations. Whether managing cases in the office or representing WorkSource in the field, they thrive in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment dedicated to making a measurable impact on people's lives.

This role is located in Silverdale, 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 Kitsap office.

Some of your daily tasks include but not limited to:

• Conduct in-depth interviews and registrations to evaluate job readiness, identify employment barriers, and assess customer needs.
• Develop and monitor individualized service plans and recommendations to ensure continuous customer engagement and support.
• Administer formal skill, interest, and aptitude tests to help job seekers clarify and establish clear training and employment goals.
• Provide comprehensive career guidance, outline training options, and refer customers to relevant WorkSource and partner programs.
• Deliver individual and group coaching focused on job-search strategies, resume writing, applications, and interviewing skills.
• Build strong relationships with job seekers to deeply understand their needs and blend available workforce resources to support them.
• Guide and assist customers in utilizing the WorkSourceWA website, digital resource center tools, and other online employment platforms.
• Connect individuals to support services, systematically tracking and managing job seeker and employer interactions to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Contact employers to assess local business needs, job requirements, and gaps in their workforce; and contacts employers to discuss job openings, promote WorkSource business services and coordinates recruitment efforts for expanding and new companies.

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

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 ofprofessional 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.

Required experience includes:

• 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.

Required equity competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Education to Experience Equivalences:

Associate Degree = 2 years | Bachelors Degree = 4 years | Master's Degree or Higher = 5 years

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) & Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.

Why work with us?

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.

Opportunity for All

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.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Katie Swanson (360-742-8208), the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact [e-mail] or [phone] or toll free [phone], Washington Relay 711.

**This Organization Participates in E-Verify**