Employment Placement & Retention Coordinator

The WRTP/BIG STEP Employment Placement & Retention Coordinator aids participants in developing, evaluating, and effectively initiating and implementing plans to find employment and/or employment skills. Work involves developing and maintaining contact with participants. Helps participants to engage in self-assessment; obtain occupational information; explore the full range of employment opportunities and/or training; present themselves effectively as candidates; and obtain optimal placement in employment. Completes job development activities, such as assessing participants' soft skills and providing soft skills training, or refer to appropriate soft skills training, prior to scheduling a first meeting between the participant and the prospective employer. 

The WRTP/BIG STEP Employment Placement & Retention Coordinator  will be responsible for developing, executing, an implementing employer and participant engagement and retention strategies, with a focus on conducting structured follow-ups at 30, 60, and 90 days. This role aims to ensure that program participants are supported throughout their journey, reducing drop-off rates and fostering long-term engagement.

25% of time will be providing employment readiness and soft skill development services such as resume prep, placement, retention, and follow-up services for jobseekers up to 1 year after exit.

50% of time cultivating and maintaining employer partnerships leading to living wage jobs from direct placements, hiring events, etc. as well connecting with various employer networks to connect participants to employment opportunities.

20% of efforts will be dedicated to entering, organizing, and maintaining accurate data, reporting, and main files for all participants aligned and leading towards successful grant outcomes, including administrative and compliance responsibilities.

5% of time will support management and the entire coordinating team with assessment, planning, and improvement of the service delivery model and its execution

 Job Development/Employer Support

• Establishes and maintains professional business relationships with employers, union halls, and outside agencies for the purpose of job development.
• Makes cold calls to potential employers and explains the benefits and employment support services provided by programs to employers, including addressing employer’s special needs
• Works collaboratively with staff to coordinate and facilitate recruitment days, employer panels, and targeted job fairs.
• Collects data from employers related to job orders including job requirements and skills.
• Matches job skills with applicant qualifications.
• Refers qualified applicants to employers and conducts necessary follow-up when applicants are placed in positions.
• WORK based learning solutions
• Customized training for employers
• Provides individual consultation with participants on their needs and abilities.
• Assists participants in assessing their job skills for positions.
• Guides participants through appropriate activities to meet their job readiness needs.
• Provides guidance and other assistance to help the participant obtain employment.
• Monitors participant performance on the job and counsels participants when job performance is not satisfactory.
• Works with participants to improve job performance and gain necessary job skills or reviews other employment options.
• Maintains contact with employers during the participants' employment and reports results to appropriate staff.

Employment Retention

• Conduct follow-up communications with exited program participants at 30, 60, and 90-day intervals to assess satisfaction, address concerns, information on job placement and offer additional resources.
• Maintain detailed records of participant interactions, follow-up results, and resolutions.
• Identifies and actively works to overcome barriers for employment and retention.
• Offer personalized support, referring participants to additional services or programs that may benefit their progress.
• Stay updated on best practices in participant retention within the non-profit sector.

 Program Support

• Documents case records and prepares reports.
• Instructs in job seeking, application procedures, resume writing, interview preparation and job retention skills and attitudes.
• Assess participant skills and work with them (in groups and one-to-one) with the goal of placing them in training and employment positions.
• Arranges for interviews.
• Tracks participant activity and progress data.
• Bring in employers for interviews.
• Establishes plans of action to address negative attrition/retention patterns and to enhance positive patterns of enrollment.

Other Job Duties 

• Assist with client program intake, orientation sessions, and client follow-up as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality of all agency files/records, business lists, and contractual agreements.
• Represent WRTP|BIG STEP, members, and partners in a professional manner at all times.
• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be requested to perform other reasonable related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management as required. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties as business requirements dictate. It is also understood that the company reserves the right to change work schedules as required, including requiring overtime.

Physical Demands/Work Environment 

Physical requirements include carrying/lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally. Visual acuity, speech, and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to drive an automobile and operate computer keyboard and basic office equipment. 

Subject to carrying, lifting, twisting, and reaching to perform essential job functions. Working conditions are primarily in an office environment with occasional travel to other locations.

Skills

• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; works well in group solving situations.
• Customer Service: The ability to use reason when dealing with difficult or emotional customer situations.  Responds promptly to customer needs; Responds to requests for service and assistance.
•  Interpersonal Skills: Maintains confidentiality; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a
• positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Change Management: Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Culture Fit: motivated by a fast-paced, action-oriented, and collaborative team environment; strong desire to engage in continuous improvement and growth, both personally and organizationally; intellectually curious and willing to take risks; willing to act in the face of uncertainty.

Requirements

• Minimum of a BA or BS in social services, education, or related field and two years’ experience working with workforce development, and/or knowledge of the skilled trades, apprenticeships, and training programs.
• Thorough knowledge of standard computer programs, including Microsoft Office, and ability to learn new systems.
• The ability to work comfortably with a wide range of customers, in both group and individual settings, preferably with experience supporting adults entering into employment and meeting career goals.
• The ability to establish rapport and relate sensitively to a multiracial and multicultural group of customers.
• Workforce Development Program Experience preferred.
• The ability to pass an extensive background check.
• Must have project management experience, utilizing planning and organizational skills.
• Organizational skills and ability to multi-task is required.
• Flexible scheduling:  most work will be performed between 8 – 5, but may require occasional evenings and weekends.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team is necessary.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies.
• Flexible and a self-starter; able to multi-task while also being highly detail oriented.
•  This position requires a driver's license, reliable transportation, and state mandated vehicle insurance.
• Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus.

WRTP/BIG STEP is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All federal, state and local and other fair employment standards including EEO and ADA requirements in race, gender, gender identification, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, veterans or disabled veterans’ status as found in 41CFR 60-1.4, 60-250.4 and 60-741.4 are herein incorporated by reference. Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. WRTP/BIG STEP encourages applications from all the above referenced protected and unprotected status groups.

Benefits

• Health Insurance - Employer pays 85% of all health plan premiums
• Dental Insurance (single or family) – 100% Employer paid
• Vision Insurance (single or family) – 100% Employer paid
• Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance – 100% Employer paid
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance – 100% Employer paid
• 10 vacation days after successful completion of probationary period
• 9 personal days annually after successful completion of probationary period
• 14 Paid Holidays annually
• 10% of monthly salary contributed to retirement accounts
• Pay range: $24 - $28 (depending on experience)