Youth Career Specialist

State-of-Missour; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Missouri is seeking a dedicated professional to support workforce development initiatives in Columbia Township. The role focuses on evaluating eligibility and enrolling participants in COTY, Wagner/Peyser, and Quest programs, with case management across all participants.

You will collaborate with CPS staff, educators, and community partners to connect students with education, employment, and training opportunities that lead to self-sufficiency and sustainable wages.

Qualifications

• Experience in workforce development or related programs is preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, teachers, counselors, and partners.
• Strong collaboration and leadership skills to engage stakeholders and OWD senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and approve eligibility and enrollment for COTY, Wagner/Peyser and Quest funded programs.
• Case management of all participants in the COTY/Wagner/Peyser programs.
• Establish soft skills training for participants.
• Provide access to information regarding career pathways.
• Assist CPS students, teachers, counselors, and staff with understanding Missouri workforce systems.
• Coordinate outreach and engagement activities.
• Engage with area employers and education entities regarding CPS student workforce needs.
• Ensure regular and reliable attendance.

Skills

Case management

Program coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

You will be joining a Department committed to a culture of TEAMWORK to accomplish our goals together, where we deliver excellence through COLLABORATION with partners and stakeholders, embody ACCOUNTABILITY through trust and professionalism, and embrace WORK-LIFE BALANCE by prioritizing respect, boundaries, and time. While working at DHEWD you will be helping to develop the workforce of the future!Join us as we pursue our vision of “Every Missourian empowered with the skills and education needed for success.”

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Responsible for evaluating and approving eligibility and enrollment for COTY, Wagner/Peyser and Quest funded programs.
• Case management of all participants in the COTY/Wagner/Peyser programs.
• Establish soft skills training to the participants.
• Provide access to information regarding career pathways.
• Assist students, teachers, counselors, and other Columbia Public Schools (CPS) with understanding of Missouri workforce and Missouri’s workforce system.
• Facilitate student access to related education, employment, training, and support services needed to succeed in Missouri’s workforce.
• Understand and communicate employment and training programs that provide CPS students with the skills and credentials necessary to secure and advance in employment that leads to self-sufficiency and sustaining wages.
• Serve as a liaison between Office of Workforce Development (OWD) and CPS.
• Collaborate with leadership to engage students and staff regarding employment and training services.
• Ensure students are aware of and engage with vocational classroom training opportunities, work-based learning programs, traditional education pathways, and community-based support programs and services.
• Assist as needed in other applicable individualized employment and training assistance.
• Coordinate outreach and engagement activities.
• Engage with area employers, education entities, community organizations and the state’s public workforce system on behalf of CPS student workforce needs.
• Collaborate with educators, students, and family members to help ensure student success.
• Possess high-level leadership and decision‑making skill coupled with the ability to communicate information clearly and effectively to stakeholders and OWD senior leadership.
• Perform other related work as assigned.
• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance.

Beneficial education and/or work‑related experience includes technical or professional experience in business, personnel, public administration or closely related area, including military service.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.

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