Workforce Development Specialist

Position Summary

The Workforce Development Specialist helps Veterans served by VTC build skills, find meaningful employment, and maintain long-term job stability. The position provides individual career coaching, job readiness assistance, employer outreach, and connections to education, training, and employment opportunities that match each Veteran’s interests, abilities, and goals. This is a temporary position expected to last until approximately November 2027.

The Specialist works with case managers and community partners to address employment barriers and help Veterans build financial stability and independence. The role requires practical problem-solving, reliable follow-through, and respect for each Veteran’s experiences and choices.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Career Assessment and Employment Planning

• Meet individually with Veterans to identify work history, military and civilian skills, career interests, education, strengths, and support needs.
• Develop a written employment plan with each participating Veteran, including realistic goals, action steps, referrals, and follow-up dates. Review progress and adjust the plan together.
• Help Veterans translate military experience into civilian job qualifications and explore employment, apprenticeships, certificates, or further education.
• Coordinate with case managers to address barriers such as transportation, identification, work clothing, digital access, or scheduling conflicts. Refer benefits questions to qualified benefits counselors.

Job Readiness and Individual Coaching

• Assist Veterans with resumes, cover letters, job applications, online job searches, and professional email communication.
• Provide interview practice and coaching on workplace expectations, attendance, communication, conflict resolution, and responding to employer feedback.
• Lead practical workshops on job search skills, basic computer use, workplace readiness, and career advancement.
• Help Veterans prepare for job offers and start dates, including required paperwork, transportation plans, and access to appropriate work supplies.

Employer Outreach and Job Placement

• Develop relationships with local employers, workforce agencies, and community organizations to identify suitable job openings and hiring needs.
• Match Veterans with opportunities based on qualifications, interests, schedules, and goals; coordinate referrals, interviews, hiring events, and employer introductions.
• Explain VTC’s employment services to employers and maintain current employer contacts and job opportunities. Share participant information only with appropriate consent.

Education and Training Partnerships

• Connect Veterans with workforce centers, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, and other training providers to pursue skills needed for their chosen careers.
• Assist with enrollment steps and referrals for available training resources; coordinate with partner staff and follow up on attendance, completion, and credentials earned.
• Develop education and training connections with Monterey Peninsula College, Hartnell College, California State University Monterey Bay, and other regional partners as appropriate to Veteran goals and VTC priorities.

Employment Retention and Advancement

• Follow up with Veterans after placement to identify early challenges, support adjustment to the workplace, and help resolve concerns before employment is disrupted.
• Coordinate employer communication with the Veteran’s consent and within VTC procedures. Support self-advocacy and refer accommodation questions to appropriate resources.
• Help Veterans pursue increased hours, higher wages, additional training, or advancement when consistent with their goals.
• Document job retention at established follow-up intervals and help Veterans update their plans following job loss or a change in employment.

Documentation and Team Coordination

• Maintain timely, accurate records of assessments, employment plans, services, referrals, placements, wages, hours, training outcomes, and follow-up contacts.
• Prepare reports and track outcomes in VTC systems according to program and funding requirements. Verify results and distinguish job referrals from confirmed employment starts.
• Participate in case conferences and coordinate employment services with case managers and program staff to avoid duplicate or conflicting plans.
• Protect confidential Veteran and employer information, maintain professional boundaries, and report urgent concerns through established channels.
• Perform other related workforce development duties assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• At least two years of relevant experience in workforce development, employment services, career coaching, case management, recruiting, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Ability to coach individuals with different work histories, education levels, and barriers to employment while respecting their choices and goals.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, organization, and follow-up skills; ability to engage employers and community partners professionally.
• Ability to prepare clear documentation and use office software, online job platforms, and electronic participant records.
• Ability to work independently, coordinate with a service team, and travel locally for assigned employer visits, partner meetings, and hiring events.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience serving Veterans or people experiencing housing instability, developing employer partnerships, or facilitating workshops. Familiarity with regional employment resources and relevant education in workforce development or social services are preferred.

Work Environment and Performance Expectations

Work includes office-based coaching, workshops, and community visits. Approximately 30% of this role’s time will be spent offsite conducting community visits and engaging in community-based events. Occasional evening events may be scheduled in advance. Essential functions may be performed with reasonable accommodation. Appropriate driving credentials are required if operating a vehicle is assigned as an essential duty.

VTC will establish performance targets for service quality, documentation, employer engagement, training completion, job placements, and retention.