WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

State of Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

2d•$58,700 - $86,876•Onsite

About The Position

As a Veterans Employment Specialist within the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, you will serve as a vital bridge between world-class military talent and top-tier employers. In this role, you will liaise directly with companies and government agencies to identify their specific workforce needs and talent gaps. Armed with this insight, you will actively connect these organizations with transitioning service members, active-duty personnel, and veterans. Your mission extends beyond state lines; you will not only place exceptional candidates already living in Arkansas but also spearhead efforts to attract and import top military talent from across the country, positioning the state as a premier destination for post-service careers. On the candidate side, you will interface daily with veterans and service members, acting as a dedicated advocate and career coach during their transition to the civilian workforce. As part of this job, you will assist service members translate their military service, leadership experience, and technical skills into compelling, competitive resumes that civilian employers immediately understand and value. By providing personalized guidance and leveraging your employer network, you will empower our nation's heroes to navigate the job market with confidence, ultimately transforming their distinguished military careers into meaningful, impactful, and long-lasting civilian jobs. The Workforce Development Specialist supports the design, implementation, and evaluation of workforce development initiatives. This role performs a variety of administrative, logistical, and research tasks that help connect job seekers with employment opportunities and training resources. Ideal for recent graduates or professionals beginning their career in workforce development, this classification offers exposure to community engagement, program coordination, and data analysis, all aimed at strengthening local labor markets and promoting economic growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Workforce Development, Community Development, or a related field.
Basic familiarity with data management tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace) is beneficial.
Strong written and verbal communication skills to facilitate clear interactions with team members, community partners, and program participants.
Basic proficiency in interpreting data and preparing reports to inform program improvements and track outcomes.
Competence in standard office software and the agility to learn new systems or tools as needed for data management and collaboration.
A collaborative mindset with a willingness to engage with varied community members and build strong professional relationships.

Nice To Haves

Cross-Sector Collaboration
Public Speaking & Stakeholder Relations
Case Management & High-Volume Interfacing
Veterans Program Familiarity
Talent Acquisition Skills
Career Coaching & Resume Development
Military-to-Civilian Skills Translation

Responsibilities

Maintain calendars, schedule meetings, and manage documentation for workforce development projects.
Assist with the preparation of presentations, reports, and meeting minutes for internal and external personnel.
Input, update, and maintain program data in databases and spreadsheets.
Compile periodic reports on program outcomes, participant progress, and labor market trends.
Provide logistical support for career fairs, training workshops, and community engagement events.
Assist in outreach efforts by communicating with local employers, community organizations, and training providers to promote workforce programs.
Help the workforce development team with research, including labor market assessments and best practice evaluations.
Support the development of program materials, educational resources, and marketing collateral.
Serve as a primary point of contact for public inquiries regarding workforce initiatives.
Aid in organizing meetings and maintaining relationships with key community partners.