Workforce Development Specialist

Job Summary and Responsibilities/Duties

For best consideration, please submit application materials by April 21, 2024.

This is a grant funded position. Position continuation is contingent upon grant renewal.

Provides employment and training services for job seekers and employers utilizing knowledge of educational institutions and support programs, labor market information and trends, local business community, workforce development grant policies and procedures. Supports the training scholarship process, on-the-job training services, post training job search support, and other areas depending on service needs.

Essential Duties:

• Develops and maintains workforce and training partnerships with education, business, industry, labor and government to maximize funding and meet yearly performance standards. Conducts assessments with private and public sector employers to ascertain changing industry needs and translates these changing needs into programs and curricula.

• Collaborates and coordinates with multi agencies (state and community-based organizations, community colleges and employers) to develop and deliver integrated One-Stop services to address priority workforce needs.

• Develops curriculum, and designs and implements training materials for workshops and one-on-one advising including adult basic education, workforce employability, life skills, and personal and professional development.

• Works directly with participants experiencing a wide range of employment/career path barriers. Assists with developing training and employment goals and plan.

• Develops, administers and interprets standardized and customized screening and assessment tools and tests.

• Evaluates and guides participant training and employment progress, and maintains records and documents achievements.

• Designs, markets, and develops customized employment services with employers, and negotiates and administers on-the-job contractual agreements. Delivers presentations, and coordinates special projects with agencies and business community.

• Provides enhanced retention services to employers including consultations and problem solving to remove barriers to employment. Monitors on-the-job training sites.

• Teaches internet usage and various software programs for career research, skill development, and job search. Develops professional resumes and instructs participants on job-related skills including interviewing, resume writing, and networking.

• Collaborates with community resource agencies to remove multiple barriers, provides crisis intervention and makes referrals for issues including, but not limited to, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, and emergency services.

• Provides active employment focused case management services to participants, coordinates interagency staffing, and maintains accurate, detailed case notes and databases. Ensures strict confidentiality to meet federal and state guidelines.

• Participates on teams, focus groups, and interagency district committees to design program components that meet yearly contractual performance requirements and standards.

• Mentors, trains and coaches the work of others such as interns and work experience participants.

Additional Duties:

• Participates in the hiring and training of new staff.

• Participates in researching and writing grants and responding to proposals for grant funding.

• Uses English-as-a Second Language (ESL) training techniques to teach skills needed for successful job search with regard to filling out applications, interviewing and using English on the job.

• Trains employers and managers in techniques for working more successfully with limited English proficiency (LEP) employees through cultural awareness training, interpreted employee/employer discussions and sites specific ESL training.

• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in education, social science, business or other related field

Experience/Training:

• Minimum (3) years of experience in workforce development, job training or placement, career exploration, or case management

• Experience working with diverse students including limited English speakers and at-risk populations

Additional qualifying education/experience may be substituted, year for year, for education/ experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Fluency in a second language in order to provide translation/interpretation assistance for non-English speaking clients and community partners

Additional Qualifications and/or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge or experience with implementation of contracts connected to Oregon Employment Services (WIOA, SNAP, Rapid Response, Dislocated Workers, etc.)

• Considerable knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, email, database and presentation applications, preferably within the Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experience in case management in a workforce development, social service, or educational setting

• Knowledge of workforce development programming and delivery, and establishing and maintaining partnerships with community resources

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and problem-solving skills

Working Conditions and Important Information

Working Conditions:

Work is typically performed in an office environment. Repetitive hand/wrist motion for data-entry and keyboarding functions. Regular contact with potentially hostile and confrontational, and/or violent clients. Work is sometimes performed in an emotional and stressful environment resolving interpersonal conflict and providing support. Possible exposure to potentially dangerous situations while driving between work sites and working after hours

Salary:

Initial salary placement will be based on years of relevant full-time equivalent experience at the sole discretion of the College, per the guidelines in the applicable Handbook or Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please include all relevant full and part-time experience in your application that you want the College to review towards potential placement. Hired employees will not have an opportunity to update past experience or appeal initial placement after the time of hire.

Important Information:

MHCC only accepts applications through our online application system at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/mhcc/default.cfm. For technical assistance, please call 855-524-5627.

Please note: We do not request or read letters of recommendation. Also, it is not necessary to upload a large number of documents with your materials. We are looking for the required documents and perhaps one or two additional documents of your choosing (optional). Faculty applications require a current resume, cover letter and official transcripts (copies are fine for application purposes) and/or any required certificates or licenses.

Please note: this is initially a self-screening system. We recognize that our application process can be lengthy, so before you begin, please read all of the stated requirements to determine if you meet them. Applicants must meet all of the stated minimum qualifications and additional requirements to be considered for this position. Based on your responses to the qualifying questions, the system may automatically screen you out from further consideration.

Position subject to budget consideration and approval.

Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background check as part of the employment process.

MHCC is NOT able to support Visa applications for employment at the college. Applicants must already be eligible to work in the United States to be considered.

MHCC provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235; OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015.

Qualifying veterans and disabled veterans may obtain preference by submitting as verification of eligibility a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) or a letter from the US Dept. of Veteran's Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension to your application. Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veteran Affairs, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

If you are seeking this preference, appropriate documentation must be provided at the time of application. You may submit an electronic copy in the document upload area of the application in the section marked "veterans' preference document," or fax to 503-491-7257 or mail to Human Resources, Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, OR 97030. If you do not have your documentation, you may request it through your Veterans' Administration Office.

Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and interview process. Please notify Human Resources at least three working days prior to the date of need.

Mt. Hood Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively supports workforce diversity.