EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST-EUGENE

Goodwill Industries of Lane & South Coast Counties & Alaska•Eugene, OR

6d•$18 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Specialist works as part of a team to provide employment-related education, support, guidance, training, and job opportunities to people enrolled in Workforce Development programs. The role helps participants prepare to obtain and retain employment, including counseling, application and resume development, interview preparation, referrals, workshops, mentoring, and support in overcoming employment barriers. The position coordinates participant enrollment, eligibility, case management, training, job placement, and follow-up. It maintains accurate participant records, reports, and outcome documentation; collaborates with workforce staff, employers, community organizations, and funding representatives; and helps match job seekers with local employment opportunities. The specialist also delivers individual and group instruction, provides worksite and on-the-job coaching, monitors participant progress, and helps ensure safe and clean work environments. The role is based at Goodwill Workforce Development in Eugene, Oregon. Work is typically Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM, with occasional travel between locations. The work environment varies and generally has a moderate noise level.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old.
High school diploma or GED.
Two years of related experience and training, or equivalent.
Ability to read, write, and communicate proficiently in English.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong technical office skills, including proficiency with MS Office, Outlook, database management systems, and virtual platforms.
Ability to use Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, and data management systems.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to build relationships and trust with clients, motivate them, and provide value-added customer service.
Ability to read and interpret business periodicals and governmental regulations; write reports, business correspondence, and client case notes; and present information effectively to groups.
Ability to solve practical problems, handle varied situations with limited standardization, and interpret written, oral, diagrammed, or scheduled instructions.
Must be available to work the assigned shift and be flexible as needed.
Must have access to reliable transportation.
Must pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screening.
Must immediately inform the CFO or Human Resources of arrests or convictions occurring during employment.
Current valid Alaska or Oregon driver license and an insurable driving record.
Ability to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; speak, hear, and listen; lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 30 pounds; and use peripheral vision and depth perception.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of or experience working with the business community.
Experience assisting individuals with self-sufficiency, vocational goals, or related counseling practices.
Proficient knowledge of basic office software.

Responsibilities

Assist participants with employment preparation, including counseling, applications, resumes, cover letters, interviewing skills, online resources, job leads, referrals, workshops, workplace basics, and mentoring.
Complete participant orientation and enrollment in accordance with Goodwill and contractual requirements.
Refer participants to community resources to help address barriers to employment.
Determine program eligibility and enter information into the appropriate databases.
Provide case management services, track participant participation and progress, coordinate support services, maintain records and reports, protect confidentiality, and ensure accurate data entry.
Document program outcomes, including intakes, training, job placements, and participants’ employment status.
Participate in required training and collaborate with program leads and management to coordinate services and train staff.
Promote and recruit participants for Job Connections services.
Develop, revise, and deliver workshop curricula and services; provide individual and group instruction.
Coordinate enrollment, placement, and attendance for community service activities.
Communicate with internal and external contacts and maintain vocational resources and referral information.
Maintain a list of qualified, work-ready individuals for Goodwill employment openings and match job seekers’ skills with local employer needs.
Keep job postings current by cold calling, printing, and cataloging job listings.
Follow up with participants to document job placements and employment status.
Provide coverage as needed for front desk, navigation, cold calls, customer service calls, and individual appointments.
Monitor participants’ work performance and collaborate with departmental staff, including Retail Managers, to meet objectives.
Provide worksite orientation, intake, coordination, job coaching, mentoring, supervision, problem solving, training, and feedback to participants.
Help participants understand and overcome employment barriers and resolve conflicts among participants, coworkers, and worksite supervisors as needed.
Report attendance and progress at weekly or bi-weekly branch work screenings and provide attendance documentation and TRACS narratives.
Provide on-the-job training and work alongside participants to demonstrate tasks and model appropriate performance.
Help ensure participants and employees work in a safe and clean environment.
Maintain positive business relationships with funding source representatives.