Employment Specialist, Basic Food Employment and Training

YWCA Seattle King Snohomish • Seattle, WA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Specialist supports Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) participants in King County as they build skills, explore career paths, and move toward employment. Based onsite in Seattle, the role provides participant-centered coaching, job-search assistance, workshops, training and resource connections, and support to overcome employment barriers. The specialist also builds relationships with employers and community partners, coordinates referrals with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and maintains program records and reports.

This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week. Occasional local travel is required to community partner locations, WorkSource offices, college campuses, housing programs, employer sites, job and resource fairs, and other YWCA locations in King and Snohomish counties. The role involves working with people who may have experienced trauma; employees are encouraged to seek support and maintain self-care.

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 respectful work 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 40-hour workweek and travel locally as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with King County resources, WorkSource, or BFET is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, interview, screen, enroll, and orient eligible Basic Food recipients to the BFET program.
• Receive DSHS referrals and determine participant eligibility for program services.
• Conduct outreach to DSHS, college partners, and community service providers to build referral relationships.
• Assess participants’ job readiness, career interests, occupational training needs, and employment barriers.
• Help participants develop individualized employment and education goals and monitor their progress.
• Provide 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.
• Follow up after placement 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.
• Maintain accurate, 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 outcomes.
• Apply YWCA social justice and antiracism principles and treat participants, staff, volunteers, employers, and community partners with respect and dignity.
• Follow Volunteer Services protocols when volunteers support program activities.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Generous vacation leave
• Holiday leave
• Sick leave
• Retirement plan
• Voluntary enrollment in the Fidelity 403b Plan at hire
• Eligibility to participate in the YWCA Retirement Fund after two years of employment

What This Job Offers

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