WFD Programs Specialist - Employment

Purpose or General Objective: Design, develop, deliver, and evaluate job development/employment readiness services to help program participants prepare for, obtain, and maintain gainful employment.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and deliver quality job development/employment readiness support services that help program participants prepare for, obtain, and maintain gainful employment.
• Actively recruit and enroll individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, and/or exploring careers and help them achieve career goals.
• Maintain, through networks, a current list of employment opportunities and share that information with individuals seeking employment.
• Actively engage employers and maintain an actionable network and database reflecting employment opportunities in an identified service area.
• Actively engage and collaborate with personnel representing employers, secondary and postsecondary education institutions, and workforce development providers to identify, understand and remove barriers to employment.
• Provide employment skills assessments, resume and cover letter writing, job search, interviewing, and interpersonal /soft skills needed to participate in community partner engagements and ultimately secure and maintain gainful employment.
• Timely and accurate entry, management, and reporting of participant case records through the utilization of Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database.
• Represent Goodwill in a professional and dignified manner.
• Collaborate efficiently with team members to support participant success.
• Actively participate in opportunities for professional development.
• Collaborate with and support WFD team members to achieve goals.
• Ensure that all practices are compliant with CARF accreditation standards.
• Provide necessary program coverage in the absence of VP WFD.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Expected Results:

• Develop a network of area businesses that understands how GICMH can benefit their organization and provide work experiences for GICMH participants.
• Placement of participants into services and/or jobs that meet their individual needs.
• Established performance goals are met or exceeded.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong initiative, cordiality, punctuality, and dependability.
• Strong community engagement and outreach skills.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, Google products, remote conferencing, and related software.
• Must work a flexible schedule, including occasional nights and weekends.
• Must demonstrate high ethical standards, sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to handle confidential and private information in a secure and professional manner.
• Positive, helpful, and professional interpersonal and customer service skills.
• The ability to process information, act independently, and take initiative where appropriate.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and diligence.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within multi-discipline teams.
• Ability to produce highly accurate work.
• Strong knowledge in financial asset building through employment, financial services, and products.
• Experience working with persons with disabilities and other barriers to employment preferred.
• A valid Michigan driver's license with a driving record in compliance with Goodwill of Central Michigan's Heartland, Inc. insurance carrier requirements. Applicant must have reliable transportation with appropriate insurance coverage.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required - experience may be substituted for education on a case-by-case basis.
• Two years of work experience in workforce development, employment services, or related fields.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.