Workforce Development Specialist - Job Developer

Commonpoint; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

MetroCard provided for travel

Job summary

Commonpoint's Adult Workforce Department seeks a Workforce Development Specialist to connect clients with internships, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities across IT, Culinary Arts, Security, Construction, and Allied Health sectors.

Role includes travel between Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, providing career coaching, resume support, and networking strategies to promote long-term career success for clients.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Education or related field.
• At least 2 years of workforce development and 1–2 years of job placement experience.
• Proven experience working with low-income, limited-English, and immigrant populations.
• Spanish, Yiddish, or Russian language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain partnerships with employers in IT, Construction, Customer Service, Culinary Arts, Security, and Allied Health sectors.
• Support employer partnerships through virtual and in-person meetings with business leaders aligned with the mission.
• Secure paid and unpaid internships, apprenticeships, and direct job placements to meet placement goals.
• Collaborate with supervision to discuss employer partners, job trends, and progress.
• Coordinate with teams to submit suitable candidates to employers for open roles.
• Coach clients on resumes, applications, mock interviews, and networking strategies.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Advocacy

Education

Associates Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Education or related field

Tools

Zoom

Microsoft Word

Excel

Google Workspace

Salesforce

Canva

Job description

Overview:

The Adult Workforce Department at the Jack and Shirley Silver Hub offers comprehensive employment and support services designed to help individuals achieve long-term career success. Through access to career counseling, job placement, training, education, and resources, we empower clients to enter the workforce and advance their careers.

The Workforce Development Specialist will play a critical role in supporting IT, Culinary Arts, Security Guard, Construction, Customer Service, and Allied Health clients and graduates by connecting them with meaningful internships, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities. This position ensures that placements align with clients’ career goals, fostering professional development and long-term success.

Additional Information:

Transportation will be provided, including a MetroCard, as the role requires travel between Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain partnerships demonstrating excellent rapport with employers in key sectors, including Information Technology, Construction, Customer Service, Culinary Arts, Security Guard, Community Health Workers, and Allied Health sectors.
• Support Director of Employer Partnership to conduct virtual and in person meetings with external business leaders who are aligned with the mission.
• Secure paid and unpaid internships, apprenticeships, and direct job placements to meet monthly, quarterly, and annual placement goals.
• Collaborate with the supervisor to discuss employer partners, job trends, training referrals, and job matching progress.
• Submit appropriate candidates to employers to fulfill job openings.

Client Support and Advocacy:

• Work closely with Employment Coordinators and Career Coaches to coach clients on career pathways, addressing resume development, application processes, mock interviews, and networking strategies.
• Advocate for clients by sourcing job leads tailored to their skills and interests and ensuring alignment with available job opportunities.
• Assist clients in building essential social skills and work habits that promote long-term career success.
• Address barriers to employment by coordinating referrals to internal and external social services.
• Lead professional development workshops for clients when necessary to improve their own professional development and personal brand.
• Lead job opportunity sessions as well as sharing job opportunities and career fairs creatively utilizing Canva.
• Guide clients through all facets of job search, including resume revisions, online applications, mock interview sessions and networking.
• Work occasionally out of the Commonpoint Bronx site at least 20% out of the time and Queens site 80% to support job seekers/clients.

Collaboration and Reporting:

• Work with the Intake Team to ensure job placements are accurately reported in Salesforce.
• Provide necessary follow ups with clients after their vocational trainings and employment.
• Add case notes to SF about client’s status, engagements, and progress.
• Collect employment verification letters, pay stubs, etc and upload to client’s files timely in salesforce as they hit their 30, 60, 90, 185, 365 milestones.
• Maintain the job bank, updating job links and opportunities regularly.
• Collaborate with senior staff to design and deliver training sessions and workshops on labor market trends and program outcomes.
• Generate program reports and contribute to funding proposals as needed.
• Share and track new updates of employer partners, report clients who have interviewed and have been placed.

Community Engagement and Events:

• Ability to travel to different boroughs: Attend external job fairs to establish new partnerships and represent Commonpoint by tabling the organization’s resources.
• Attend events on the weekends occasionally.
• Actively participate in internal staff meetings, mock events, internal job fairs, and staff professional.
• development training sessions to enhance program effectiveness.
• Travel outdoors to connect and establish relationships with business leaders at least once a week.

Technical Skills:

• Demonstrate strong proficiency in digital tools, including Zoom, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Workspace applications (Gmail, Google Voice, Calendar, etc.).
• Salesforce a knowledge preferred but not required
• Expertise in resume creation, editing, and formatting.
• Knowledge of Canva or other graphic design platforms - preferred.

Required:

• Associates Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Education or related field.
• At least 2 years of Workforce development and at least 1-2 years of job placement experience.
• Proven experience working with low-income, limited-English, and immigrant populations.
• Spanish, Yiddish, or Russian is a plus but not necessary.

Key Attributes for Success:

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for fostering client and employer relationships.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrate professionalism at all times.
• Believe and practice equity and inclusion.
• Follow through on assignments and meet deadline.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities to balance diverse responsibilities effectively.
• Innovative problem-solving skills to address employment barriers and create opportunities.
• Commitment to collaboration, team-building, and achieving shared goals.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to engage and inspire audiences.
• Location: 77-17 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst, NY, 11373
• Salary - 55K - 65K.

Commonpoint is an equal opportunity employer.