WIOA Employment Specialist

GOODWILL CENTRAL COAST; Watsonville (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Central Coast in Watsonville, CA is seeking a Workforce Development Specialist to support assessments, develop individualized employment plans, prepare participants for job readiness, and assist with job placement.

Work may be delivered in person or remotely via Zoom, phone, or email; duties include counseling, coordinating with employers, and tracking progress to meet WIOA requirements.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in behavioral science or related field; bachelor’s preferred.
• Three years of experience in job development, employment training, or recruitment.
• Knowledge of WIOA program requirements and performance metrics.
• Ability to document evaluations, progress, and referrals.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform case management, including eligibility and intake.
• Develop and implement individualized employment plans.
• Provide career counseling and workshop facilitation.
• Develop job leads and coordinate with employers.
• Maintain accurate records and compliance with WIOA.
• Assist with job fairs and community outreach.

Skills

English communication

Spanish (basic) desirable

SOP compliance

Ethics awareness

Time management

Education

Associate’s degree in behavioral science or related field

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Recordkeeping software

Internet job search tools

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Mission Services Santa Cruz - Watsonville, CA 95076Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $23.00 - $25.00 HourlyJob Shift: Day

JOB SUMMARY

Support in-depth assessments, development of individualized employment and training plans, job readiness preparation, and job placement assistance to determine eligibility and ensure effective coordination of workforce development services under the day-to-day supervision of the WIOA Program Manager. This role involves engaging with participants to identify career goals, connect them to training opportunities, and provide ongoing support throughout their employment/training journey. Services may be delivered in person, online, or remotely through various technology platforms, including telephone, video conferencing (Zoom), text, and email.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Perform case management, which includes eligibility determination and intake, development and implementation of individualized employment plans, case documentation, and follow-up. Manage each participant’s case by documenting evaluations, assessments, progress notes, and any referrals submitted to community agencies. Maintain detailed case files to ensure compliance with WIOA program regulations and performance metrics.
• Perform assessments that include a work history, employment skills and ability, educational history and competency, need for supportive services, identification of intensive and specialized employment needs, the skills to be attained, the resources available to obtain employment, and referrals to services for any other barriers to employment.
• Provide career counseling and employment coaching to help participants develop job readiness skills. Assist in resume writing, interview preparation, and professional skill-building to enhance employability. Facilitate job readiness workshops on topics such as financial literacy, digital skills, career planning, and workplace professionalism. Connect participants to vocational training, certification programs, apprenticeships, and other educational opportunities to improve their career prospects.
• Develop job leads and perform direct job placement activities including making employer contacts, understanding the local market requirements, reporting on placement and follow-up activities, and performing on-the-job interventions. Collaborate with local employers, training providers and workforce partners to identify job opportunities and career pathways.
• Maintain close contact with referring agents and facilitate communication regarding participant progress. Work in cooperation with training providers and other organizations being used to facilitate work experience or employment.
• Maintain accurate records of participant progress and case notes in compliance with WIOA regulations and performance metrics.
• Perform designated duties to ensure meeting the goals of the local contract outcomes and state program measures.
• Assist as needed with job fairs, large recruiting/hiring efforts, and other community outreach events.

SECONDARY DUTIES

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION REQUIRED: Associate’s degree in behavioral science or related field, or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree preferred.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Valid California Class C driver’s license preferred.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Three years experience as a job developer, employment training specialist, recruiter, or related profession. Vocational counseling training and/or experience desirable.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED: Knowledge of vocational implications of disadvantaging and disabling conditions and of tools to educate participants to meet individual employment plans.

Understanding of barriers to employment faced by participants.

Knowledge of the local labor market and job search strategies, and familiarity with career exploration and job search tools or processes.

Ability to administer selected academic and vocational testing instruments.

Familiarity with Goodwill’s mission, general Company policies and procedures (this may be learned on-the-job).

Thorough knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency in computer technology, including advanced recordkeeping software, state-of-the-art internet job search techniques, and software programs.

EQUIPMENT USED: Typical office equipment; vehicles.

SKILLS/APTITUDES/TEMPERAMENTS

Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing. Ability to communicate in basic Spanish desirable.

Ability to understand and comply with the protocols and state and federal program requirements related to workforce development and social services programs.

Ability to understand and follow Goodwill Central Coast’s Standard Operating Procedures.

Ability to understand and follow Goodwill Central Coast’s Code of Ethics.

Ability to demonstrate understanding of the entire operations of the One Stop center and ability to work across functions as needed to ensure both the optimal delivery of services to the public and a supportive work environment.

Ability to demonstrate flexibility in service delivery times, including being available to attend community events or offer services during the evenings and weekends as determined to be in the best interest of serving the needs of the community.

Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.

Ability to understand others’ feelings and personal viewpoints and adapt accordingly.

Ability to organize and utilize time effectively to coordinate participant schedules.

Ability to reason, make generalizations, evaluations, and decisions based on both sensory/judgmental and measurable/verifiable criteria.

Ability to understand and follow program-specific policies and procedures.

Ability to adhere to safe work practices as documented in Company policies; ability to report safety hazards/accidents promptly to supervisor or safety committee member.

EMOTIONAL EFFORT

The job requires some emotional effort involving occasional short deadlines requiring little or no overtime. Work environment is routine with periods of isolated high activity/demand.

JOB SETTING

The job is performed in an enclosed, climatically-controlled office building. This may vary some when visiting other employer/industry sites. Work is completed independently, one-on-one with the client and in a group setting with clients, client/employer meetings and in cooperation with other staff and referring agents.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The job is primary sedentary with walking and standing as is necessary to carry out the job duties. Normal lifting and/or carrying is limited to approximately 15 lbs. On occasion, heavier items (up to 25 lbs.) may be lifted/carried. Heavier items (26 lbs. or more) are moved by using proper material handling equipment, assistance from another person or by work order request.

Normal or corrected talking, hearing, and seeing abilities are sufficient to perform required tasks.