POSITION: Skills Development Specialist

PROGRAM: Community Works Project (CWP)

STATUS: Full-Time with Benefits

SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm

LOCATION: This position serves DHS locations

REPORTS TO: Program Manager/Human Solutions Employment Director

Compensation: Starting at $18.54-$21.56/hour, plus $1/hour bilingual premium pay and generous benefits package

SUMMARY:

The Community Works Project (CWP) is a 4-agency collaborative project providing job preparation and placement services to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) participants who are participating in Job Opportunities Basic Skills (JOBS) program. CWP serves several Department of Human Services (DHS) locations. More information about the CWP program is available at communityworksnw.org

This position is expected to serve many DHS locations, during the DHS hours of business (with flexibility to meet and respond to participants’ needs outside those hours/locations on an exceptional basis). The Skills Development Specialist facilitates most of the program’s skill-building workshops for adults and works with participants one-on-one to build employment portfolios, improve their computer skills, and gain the skills and confidence they need for the job market, in close coordination with participants’ CWP Employment & Engagement Specialists who act as clients’ case managers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, maintain and regularly update skills development curriculum for adult learners to include but not limited to such topics as life skills, resume building, cover letter writing, career mapping and computer basics.

• Facilitate fun and interactive workshops to engage participants in their own development and develop modules for self-paced individualized activities for participants.
• Lead CWP Orientation for participants and respond to individual and group queries about the program.
• Establish and maintain regular and effective communication with Employment & Engagement Specialists responsible for participants’ engagement in the CWP program to ensure their access and support navigating program and other community resources and services.
• Submit weekly and monthly reports on participants’ progress on strict deadlines.
• As necessary, staff the Career Centers, welcoming participants and guiding them to the appropriate services, including advocating or interpreting on their behalf when necessary.
• Bring understanding of home agency and targeted community to ensure wrap around service options for CWP customers.
• Participate in trainings, meetings to ensure project outcomes achievement.
• Maintain accurate, complete, up-to-date documentation of participant activities, progress and outcomes.
• Regularly update and build Curriculum to tie program objectives to CWP needs. Train colleagues on the new curriculum.

• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, committees, and volunteer activities to support CWP and agency’s goals.
• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. This would typically include:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Education, instruction, Social Services, or a related field
• Experience providing instruction to groups of adults and coaching individuals in need of building life skills, and working in a multi-cultural social services environment
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement adult centered curriculum around job preparedness and life skills.
• Understanding of the barriers and opportunities faced by adults engaged in TANF/JOBS program
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (including Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Experience and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and diverse environment

REQUIRED FUNCTIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to function in a positive manner in a demanding work environment, to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, to respond to priorities and schedules that change frequently.
• Ability to meet multiple, sometimes conflicting deadlines.
• Ability to learn and use moderately complex databases.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to deal with distressed and/or demanding participants and employees in an effective, participant-centered, manner.
• Work in a fast-paced environment and make good judgments as it pertains to participants.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Strong skills in intercultural, interpersonal and organizational communication.
• Ability to communicate in a positive manner verbally, in writing, and by phone.
• Ability to communicate with a variety of personality types and levels of the organization as well as with persons outside of the organization.
• Ability to listen for understanding and assist in problem solving.
• Be punctual, good attendance, and be able to work flexible hours to meet the availability of participants.
• Use office equipment, telephone, copy machine, fax machine, and computer.
• Possess a valid driver's license and verification of current auto-insurance, and have full use of automobile during work hours.
• Proficiency in a second language other than English, preferred.