Placement Specialist

SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP INC•San Diego, CA

2h•$31 - $44•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Program Manager or Program Director, the Placement Specialist – Sector Initiatives supports workforce development programs by leading and coordinating participant placement activities including internships, permanent employment, on-the-job training (OJT), and apprenticeship opportunities. The Placement Specialist works closely with Sector Initiatives program staff, Apprenticeship Manager, Business & Community Relations team, Marketing & Communications team, and external employers to ensure participants are connected to high-quality work-based learning and employment opportunities aligned with industry demand. This role supports all Sector Initiatives sector programs and serves as a key liaison between program operations, employer partners, and communications staff. The Placement Specialist assists with placement tracking, employer outreach, hiring events, and collaborates with the San Diego Workforce Partnership communications team to support web content updates, outreach collateral, and success stories that highlight program impact. The position requires strong relationship-building skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities across programs while ensuring compliance with funding, reporting, and performance requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Communications, Social Work, Human Services, or a related field OR a minimum of 3–5 years of experience in workforce development, job placement, employer engagement, business services, or a related field
Experience supporting internships, employment placements, or work-based learning programs
Experience working with employers and external partners
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple placement activities across programs
Computer proficiency, particularly with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and database systems

Nice To Haves

Experience working with sector-based workforce programs
Familiarity with WIOA, OJT, apprenticeships, and work-based learning models
Experience coordinating hiring events or recruitment activities
Experience collaborating with communications or marketing teams
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or other languages commonly spoken in San Diego County

Responsibilities

Apply equity-centered, trauma-informed, and participant-centered approaches to placement support
Support participant placement activities including internships, unsubsidized employment, on-the-job training (OJT), and permanent job placement across Sector Initiatives programs
Coordinate apprenticeship-related placement activities in collaboration with the Apprenticeship Manager
Match participants with appropriate employment opportunities based on skills, interests, and employer requirements
Coordinate with program staff to ensure participants are job-ready and supported throughout placement and retention periods
Track and document placement outcomes, wages, retention, and required follow-up in CalJOBS, Salesforce, and other internal systems
Prepare placement-related reports and summaries for internal teams and funders as needed
Ensure timely and accurate data entry, documentation, and verification of employment outcomes in accordance with funder requirements
Collaborate with Sector Initiatives program teams to ensure alignment between training, participant readiness, and employer needs
Support the planning, coordination, and execution of hiring fairs, employer panels, and recruitment events in collaboration with the business engagement team
Conduct employer outreach to identify placement, work-based learning, and hiring opportunities aligned with Sector Initiatives programs
Build and maintain relationships with employers, industry partners, training providers, and community-based organizations
Support website updates related to programs and employer partnerships
Development of outreach collateral, flyers, and digital materials
Collection and documentation of participant and employer success stories
Represent San Diego Workforce Partnership at employer meetings, hiring events, and community forums
Ensure adherence to SDWP policies, procedures, and ethical standards