The City of Phoenix Human Services Department provides a comprehensive array of services to help people meet emergency, short-and long-term needs; and help every individual reach their highest level of self-sufficiency. Currently, the Human Services Department is seeking to fill Workforce Development Specialist positions in the Business and Workforce Development Division.

The Workforce Development Specialist is responsible for implementing workforce initiatives that advance strategies, policies, and ideas to help individuals with barriers to employment including low skilled workers, long-term unemployed, immigrants and refugees, limited English speakers, formerly homeless, formerly incarcerated, and two-generation households. They are also responsible for analyzing federal, state, and local policies that increase access to federal workforce development, and education and training opportunities authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The Workforce Development Specialist collaborates with team members and advocacy partners to initiate and cultivate relationships that can be leveraged to serve their populations and develop a standard of work, policy and advocacy strategies that promote equity for the below indicated targeted populations as well as individuals with low incomes, basic skills deficiencies, and skills gaps.

• Workforce Development Specialist (Re-entry)

This position is responsible for engaging in outreach to justice-involved adults and assist in transitioning them to the workplace. The position will collaborate and coordinate with community-based organizations, foundations, and state and local justice agencies to provide workforce services including education and training, job preparation, case management and needs assessments, career exploration and planning.

• Workforce Development Specialist (Homeless)

This position works closely with the homeless population and partnering programs, serving individuals experiencing homelessness. The individual will be responsible for engaging in outreach to individuals, unaccompanied young adults, families, and veterans within this target group. This includes but is not limited to the following activities: street outreach, case management, emergency/temporary shelter visits, and other community-based partner visits.

Additionally, the Workforce Development Specialist works with area employers to identify their hiring needs and coordinates hiring events and other specialized activities to connect them with area work-ready and appropriately skilled individuals. This may include interacting with employer organizations, human resource representatives, and neighborhood groups to ensure alignment of business, resident, and community needs.

Duties involve:

• Developing and implementing complex casework plans and counseling strategies designed to lead individuals to economic self-sufficiency and emotional well-being by providing federally funded services and follow-up.
• Using assessments and interviewing clients to determine eligibility for services.
• Providing coaching on resume development and interviewing.
• Providing career counseling.
• Interpreting local labor market information.
• Identifying problems and supportive service needs to remove barriers.
• Engaging in outreach and delivery of employment readiness workshops.
• Monitoring and evaluating contracts and/or subcontractors, memorandums of understandings, and/or interdepartmental agreements.
• Recording services and applicable documentation of need and/or specific eligibility factors in the applicable case management system.
• Attending events, conferences, and seminars during normal business hours, after business hours, and on weekends to meet the public need.

These positions report to a Senior Workforce Development Specialist and may be stationed at various locations to meet the needs of both the populations they serve and other WIOA enrolled clients.

• Knowledge in coordinating resources and providing services to individuals at risk and other vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of training and education providers and programs.
• General knowledge of social service programs such as TANF, SNAP, etc.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills needed to initiate, cultivate, and retain successful partnerships.
• Data entry accuracy skills.
• Ability to take initiative.
• Ability to work with internal and external contacts at all levels.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment..
• Ability to meet deadlines and achieve required outcomes.
• Ability to conduct hard and electronic file maintenance.

$22.92 (minimum) - $34.78 (maximum) hourly / $47,673.60 - $72,342.40 annually. Candidates may be hired up to $72,342.40 depending upon qualifications.

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Employer paid long-term disability
• Free Bus/light rail pass
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
• Paid time off includes 12.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi

For more details, visit: Unit 007 Benefits

• One year of federal employment programs experience with complex eligibility and monitoring requirements or involving workforce development and training.
• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration or a related field.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• The City job description can be found here.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must be fingerprinted and will have their fingerprints used to check the Criminal History Records of the State of Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Any records returned will be reviewed to determine the candidate’s suitability for the job.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Master's degree in business, education, social work, or a related field is preferred.
• Lived experience (Formerly Justice Involved, Refugee/Immigrant, Formerly Homeless).
• Experience interpreting a variety of assessments to guide career planning.
• Experience collaborating with community partners to provide programming that supports the population served.
• Experience working with employers or hiring managers.
• Experience determining eligibility for social services within a federally funded program.
• Experience managing caseloads to ensure compliance with program requirements.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and/or providing intensive casework management or counseling to vulnerable populations.
• Federal employment programs and/or Business and Workforce Development program experience (with complex eligibility and monitoring requirements).
• Bi-lingual (English and any other language) is preferred.
• Working some evening and weekends may be required.

Recruitment closes March 27, 2023. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and generates a one time use only list. Once interviews are conducted and candidates are selected, this job posting will be considered closed and candidates will no longer be in consideration for the position applied for. This posting will not result in any ongoing eligibility list.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

• Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
• If you are in need of computer resources, click here for free options.
• Arizona at Work has frequent classes to help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and general career guidance. Click here for more information.
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• If you need assistance applying for this job, please contact our HR Connection Center at (602) 495-5700.

Workforce Development Spec, JC:06930, ID#49295, 03/10/23, USM, RAL, Benefits:007

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.