Employment Specialist, Basic Food Employment and Training

YWCA Seattle King Snohomish • Lynnwood, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Specialist works with Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) participants in Snohomish County to identify strengths, explore career interests, set employment and education goals, and navigate job searches and training opportunities. The position provides individual guidance, workshops, referrals, and supportive services while building relationships with employers and community partners. The role also coordinates referrals with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and maintains program records and reports.

This part-time position is based onsite in Lynnwood and is scheduled for 20 hours per week. Services focus on Snohomish County, with occasional local travel to community partners, WorkSource offices, college campuses, housing programs, employer sites, job and resource fairs, and other YWCA locations in Snohomish and King counties. The position involves interacting with people who may have experienced trauma and carries a risk of secondary trauma.

Requirements

• One to two years of experience in employment services, case management, community services, or a related field; relevant education and transferable experience will be considered.
• Ability to provide supportive, participant-centered guidance to people facing employment barriers.
• Commitment to YWCA’s mission, racial equity, and working respectfully with diverse communities.
• Strong communication, customer service, and organizational skills, with attention to accurate records and follow-through.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and willingness to learn program databases.
• Ability to manage priorities within a 20-hour workweek and travel locally as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Snohomish County resources, WorkSource, or BFET.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, interview, screen, enroll, and orient eligible Basic Food recipients to the BFET program.
• Receive referrals from DSHS and determine participants’ eligibility for program services.
• Conduct outreach to DSHS, college partners, and community service providers to build referral relationships and connect eligible individuals with services.
• Assess participants’ job readiness, career interests, occupational training needs, and barriers to employment.
• Develop individualized employment and education goals with participants and monitor their progress.
• Provide individual job search assistance, including resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, and guidance on workplace expectations and communication.
• Facilitate program orientations and job readiness workshops.
• Connect participants with education and occupational training programs and coordinate training arrangements as applicable.
• Coordinate supportive services and community referrals to address barriers to training, job searches, and employment.
• Develop employer relationships to identify job opportunities and support participant placement.
• Provide post-placement follow-up to support job retention, wage progression, financial literacy, and time management.
• Collaborate with the Work$ Team, YWCA Economic Advancement staff, BFET partners, and the WorkSource system to coordinate services.
• Maintain accurate and timely participant files, document services and progress, and enter required information into e-JAS.
• Complete monthly and quarterly data and narrative reports on participant demographics, services, and program outcomes.
• Apply YWCA social justice and antiracism principles in daily work and treat participants, staff, volunteers, employers, and community partners with respect and dignity.
• Follow Volunteer Services protocols when volunteers support program activities.

Benefits

• Prorated sick and vacation leave accruals based on scheduled hours, in accordance with YWCA policy.
• Voluntary enrollment in the Fidelity 403(b) plan at hire.
• Eligibility to participate in the YWCA Retirement Fund, typically after two years of employment and subject to plan eligibility requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed