WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST 1/2/3/4

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Workforce Development in Baton Rouge, LA seeks a Workforce Development Specialist to coordinate RESTART initiatives with DPS&C, BOR, and RAPs. The role focuses on employer engagement, partnership building, and program delivery for reentry services.

The position emphasizes liaison duties among leadership, staff, employers, and external partners, ensuring timely implementation of program initiatives and strong collaboration across agencies.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in workforce development, administrative services, or social services.
• Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR a bachelor's degree.
• Experience substitution: Every 30 semester hours earned… substitutes for up to four years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Serving as a communication liaison among leadership, staff, employers, and external partners to support timely implementation of program initiatives and priorities.
• Promoting collaboration, teamwork, and organizational stability in achieving program goals and performance outcomes.
• Leading efforts to connect participants with American Job Center services, labor market information, employer networks, and appropriate workforce development programs.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with employers, apprenticeship sponsors, and industry partners to support participant training and employment opportunities.
• Preparing summaries of program findings, deficiencies, and recommendations identified through monitoring and review activities.
• Developing and delivering presentations, training, and program updates to leadership, stakeholders, employers, and partner organizations.
• Coordinates and monitors the delivery of comprehensive workforce development services for reentry participants.
• Provides case management services to reentry participants and delivers training and technical assistance to Workforce Development Specialists, American Job Center staff, and external partners regarding the provision of reentry services.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Employer outreach

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Office of Workforce Development

Division: RESTART

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana Works transforms lives and drives prosperity by putting people at the center of everything we do. We provide one seamless door where individualized solutions create new possibilities, proving that when government works for people, Louisiana works for everyone.

Workforce Development Specialist 1/2/3/4 position serves as the lead for coordinating and monitoring the Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeship, and Training (RESTART) Initiatives in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C), the Louisiana Board of Regents (BOR), and Louisiana Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs).

The incumbent serves as an Employer Outreach Coordinator responsible for employer engagement activities, including sponsor recruitment, onboarding, technical assistance, and ongoing relationship management. The position ensures strong partnerships and alignment among local, regional, and state employers and industry stakeholders to support program objectives and expand workforce opportunities for participants.

AN IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES

• Building and Supporting Teams: The ability to combine one's actions and efforts with others to work toward achieving a common goal.
• Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Focusing on Customers: The ability to understand and meet the needs, preferences, and experiences of internal and external customers.

Three years of experience in workforce development, administrative services, or social services; OR

Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR

A bachelor's degree.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION: Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• Serving as a communication liaison among leadership, staff, employers, and external partners to support the timely implementation of program initiatives and operational priorities.
• Promoting collaboration, teamwork, and organizational stability in achieving program goals and performance outcomes.
• Leading efforts to connect participants with American Job Center services, labor market information, employer networks, and appropriate workforce development programs through coordinated service delivery and co-enrollment strategies.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with employers, apprenticeship sponsors, and industry partners to support participant training and employment opportunities.
• Preparing summaries of program findings, deficiencies, and recommendations identified through monitoring and review activities.
• Developing and delivering presentations, training, and program updates to leadership, stakeholders, employers, and partner organizations.
• Coordinates and monitors the delivery of comprehensive workforce development services for reentry participants.
• Provides case management services to reentry participants and delivers training and technical assistance to Workforce Development Specialists, American Job Center staff, and external partners regarding the provision of reentry services.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Specific Details

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Appointment Type: Probational / Job Appointment / Promotional / Detail to Special Duty

Career Progression Group: Workforce Development Specialist 1 / Workforce Development Specialist 2 / Workforce Development Specialist 3 / Workforce Development Specialist 4

Job Levels

• WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST 1
• WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST 2
• WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST 3
• WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST 4

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Heather Courville

[e-mail]

Louisiana Works is an equal employment opportunity employer and SAME agency, which serves as a model employer for the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities TDD# 800-259-5154