Employment Specialist 4 (WSS4): Union Gap-BFET Program/Project-Occasional Dual Language-Spanish

State of Washington; Moses Lake (WA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington is seeking an Employment Specialist 4 for the BFET project to deliver customer-centered employment and training services at the Union Gap WorkSource office. This in-person role includes up to one day of telework per week after training and requires effective communication in Spanish with diverse communities.

The ideal candidate will have strong assessment, case management, and individualized service planning skills, partnering with WorkSource teams to connect customers

Qualifications

• Ability to assess needs and develop service plans to achieve self-sufficiency.
• Experience in case management and coordinating services.
• Ability to guide customers through program requirements and develop employment strategies.
• Strong communication skills in person, by phone, and in writing; Spanish language ability required.
• Demonstrated empathy and client-centered service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Develops individualized service strategies based on assessments and helps customers set self-sufficiency goals.
• Conducts interviews to articulate program services and identify applicable components.
• Manages caseload, provides case management, coordinates support services, and makes referrals.
• Assesses knowledge and abilities to determine employment and training activities.
• Develops instructional strategies and uses technology and guest speakers.

Skills

Assessment

Case management

Individualized service planning

Client-centered approach

Coaching and mentoring

Instructional support

Spanish communication

Relationship-building

Job description

This is a Project position that is expected to last through June of 2027. This is also an Occasional Dual Language (OCDL) position. The incumbent must be able to communicate effectively in person, via telephone, and in writing, in Spanish.

This position works in-person at the WorkSource office in Union Gap.

This position will be eligible for at least 1 day of telework per week after training.

The ideal candidate for the Employment Specialist 4 (WorkSource Specialist 4), on our Basic, Food, Employment and Training (BFET) project is a compassionate, customer-focused workforce professional who excels at helping individuals overcome barriers and move toward long-term self-sufficiency.

They bring strong skills in assessment, case management, and individualized service planning, using a client-centered approach to understand each person’s needs, goals, and challenges. They are adept at developing tailored employment and training strategies, guiding customers through program requirements, and providing coaching, mentoring, and instructional support that builds confidence and employability. Their ability to communicate effectively—including in Spanish—ensures clear guidance and meaningful engagement with diverse communities.
This candidate thrives in dynamic environments where collaboration, outreach, and relationship-building are essential. They work closely with WorkSource partners, training providers, community organizations, and employers to coordinate resources, confirm eligibility, and connect customers with opportunities that align with labor market needs. They are skilled at job development, employer engagement, and facilitating workshops and orientations that prepare customers for employment. Their ability to navigate varied service settings—office, field, and remote—demonstrates adaptability and a commitment to meeting customers where they are.
They are also detail-oriented, organized, and committed to maintaining high-quality documentation and compliance. They manage caseloads effectively, track expenditures, authorize support services, and ensure accurate, timely data entry across multiple systems. They use assessments, labor market information, and instructional strategies to support informed decision-making and positive outcomes. Their blend of empathy, technical expertise, and problem-solving ability makes them a trusted partner in delivering equitable, impactful employment and training services through the BFET program.

Develop and/or provide comprehensive, customer-centered employment and training services. This includes:

• Develops individualized service strategies based on needs assessment and assist customers in establishing self-sufficiency goals and developing and managing service plans to attain those goals

• Conduct individual interviews to articulate program services and activities; identify components such as individualized and training services, applicable to customer need

• Manage caseload; provide case management; facilitate appropriate support services and/or make referrals; identify and evaluate barriers and explore solutions to assist in removing barriers; assist in obtaining needed documentation

Assess knowledge, skills, and abilities to assist in determining employment and training activities and benefits. This includes:

• Administer a variety of assessments and informal and formal career tools; review and explain results; incorporate assessment results into employment plans in conjunction with relevant labor market information; prepare and present information to customer

• Develop and utilize a variety of instructional strategies appropriate to the needs of students, including the integration of technology, and guest speakers.

Develop and maintain relationships with partners, other service providers and businesses. This includes:

• Collaborate with WorkSource partners regarding enrollments, program guidelines, and training recommendations; negotiate and confirm customer eligibility

• Attend community meetings and events; represent the workforce partnership process; communicate and work closely with internal and external partners; be responsive to requests

• Coordinate resources with partners; communicate and promote agency and partner programs and services to encourage maximum utilization of available incentives

To request a detailed position description, click here.

• 1 year as a WorkSource Specialist 3 or equivalent class within the Employment Security Department, or another state’s Employment Security agency

• OR 3 years of professional experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or professional public contact work

• OR A combination of education and/or relevant experience

AND

• Must be able to occasionally communicate effectively in person, via telephone and writing in Spanish

Required equity competencies:

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

The required experience includes:

• Client-Centered Service Delivery: Needs assessment to evaluate client situations, goal setting to establish realistic objectives, case management to develop and oversee service plans, problem-solving to address barriers, and communication skills to guide and support clients effectively

• Eligibility Assessment Expertise: Ability to evaluate and determine client qualifications

• Employability Plan Development Expertise: Ability to structure personalized career growth strategies

• Career Coaching and Follow-Up Expertise: Ability to provide ongoing workforce guidance

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

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

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

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 Caleb Baldwin, or at 253-306-2999 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position 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 recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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