Placement & Employer Engagement Specialist

SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP INC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

PTO sell-back program

Employer-paid benefits (platinum plans

Company-paid learning and professional

Pension plan

457 retirement plan

Job summary

San Diego Workforce Partnership is seeking a Placement Specialist – Sector Initiatives in San Diego, CA. The role leads placement activities for internships, OJT, and permanent employment, coordinating with sector programs and external employers to connect participants with quality work-based learning and job opportunities.

You will track outcomes, support employer outreach, and assist with events while ensuring compliance with funding, reporting, and performance requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 3–5 years in workforce development or related field.
• Experience supporting internships, employment placements, or work-based learning.
• Experience working with employers and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple placement activities.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and database systems.

Responsibilities

• Apply equity-centered, trauma-informed, and participant-centered approaches to placement support.
• Support participant placement activities including internships, unsubsidized employment, on-the-job training (OJT), and permanent job placement across Sector Initiatives programs.
• Coordinate apprenticeship-related placement activities in collaboration with the Apprenticeship Manager.
• Match participants with appropriate employment opportunities based on skills, interests, and employer requirements.
• Coordinate with program staff to ensure participants are job-ready and supported throughout placement and retention periods.
• Track and document placement outcomes, wages, retention, and required follow-up in CalJOBS, Salesforce, and other internal systems.
• Prepare placement-related reports and summaries for internal teams and funders as needed.
• Ensure timely and accurate data entry, documentation, and verification of employment outcomes in accordance with funder requirements.
• Collaborate with Sector Initiatives program teams to ensure alignment between training, participant readiness, and employer needs.
• Work closely with the Business & Community Relations team to support the planning, coordination, and execution of hiring fairs, employer panels, and recruitment events in collaboration with the business engagement team.
• Conduct employer outreach to identify placement, work-based learning, and hiring opportunities aligned with Sector Initiatives programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, industry partners, training providers, and community-based organizations.
• Work closely with the SDWP Communications Department to support: Website updates related to programs and employer partnerships; Development of outreach collateral, flyers, and digital materials; Collection and documentation of participant and employer success stories.

Skills

Relationship-building

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Database systems

Bilingual Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Communications, Social Work, Human Services, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database systems

Job description

San Diego Workforce Partnership is seeking a Placement Specialist – Sector Initiatives in San Diego, CA. The role leads placement activities for internships, OJT, and permanent employment, coordinating with sector programs and external employers to connect participants with quality work-based learning and job opportunities.

You will track outcomes, support employer outreach, and assist with events while ensuring compliance with funding, reporting, and performance requirements.