Employment & Career Development Division
(1) Full-time position
| Salary: | Salary range 44 ($35,040 - $45,828 annually DOQ) |
| Recruitment number: | J2209WSS34204MJK |
| Location: | Yakima, Wash. |
| Opening date: | November 1, 2009 |
| Closing date: | November 8, 2009 by 5 p.m. |
WorkSource Yakima is seeking a Migrant, Seasonal Farm Worker Outreach Specialist to provide a full range of employment services to our local farm workers in both English and Spanish languages.
The opportunity
As a Migrant, Seasonal Farm Worker Outreach Specialist, you will communicate with Spanish-speaking job seekers and unemployment insurance (UI) claimants to provide service delivery resources. You will deliver direct core services, including recruiting, screening, etc., to WorkSource Yakima customers.
The majority of time is spent contacting farm workers and employers providing an overview of services available through the WorkSource system. You will conduct outreach to the job seeker and employers, matching Migrant Seasonal Farm workers (MSFW) with jobs, predominantly in the agriculture industries, but also assisting MSFW’s search for non-agricultural employment and/or training opportunities. You will meet with agricultural employers to determine workforce needs and develop recruitment efforts.
This position is responsible for exemplary customer service by greeting customers, conducting Initial Assessments (IA) of claimants work history and/or updating current IA to ensure relevance, in job keeping and seeking skills, wage requirements, and desires. This position will provide key employment services such as labor market information, job preparation services, job match services, considering claimant skills, and employment desires with current job opportunities. This position will also help develop employment plans, facilitating job preparation workshops, provide job referral and job placement services, which in turn ultimately enables claimant to obtain and keep employment.
In addition, you will be responsible to promote and work with the H2A program for assistance in interstate, intrastate, and out of country agricultural workers for local employers. This position is expected to document all claimant services in Service, Knowledge & Information Exchange System (SKIES) to support the Government Management & Accountability Performance (GMAP) program’s accountability measures.
Major duties
- Utilizes communication skills to provide administration, training providers, partners, agencies, the community, staff and customers with the information needed in the operation of the WorkSource services.
- Communicates, verbally and in writing, (in both English and Spanish) to staff, partners, customers, the community, and vendors. Communication is done by utilizing the phone (verbal skills), e-mail, fax, etc. Develops systems through technology and hard copies in order to maintain a high-level of confidentiality and appropriate data.
- Reads, reviews, and interprets all departmental policies and procedures in the performance of program requirements and WorkSource initiatives. Shares, in easily understood language, information about programs, services and referral provided by WorkSource partners. Interprets and applies governmental laws, rules, regulations, and initiates actions in a way that the public perceives as fair, objective, and reasonable.
- Independently performs a variety of complex assignments such as preparing reports and planning for WorkSource activities. Utilizes the program year targets and utilizes the WSMIS reports to track activities. Maintains a high level of performance outlined by the annual required targets for a WSS.
- Gathers, interprets, and documents information to assist customers in identifying employment goals, experience, desires, needs, education, interests, skills/abilities, and barriers to employment. Reviews client assessments, evaluations, work history, desired employment, skill sets, barriers to employment, personal and professional needs, and training. Completes a full registration in SKIES, comprehensive initial assessment, job referrals, employment referrals, training referrals, and community referrals, providing customers with an employment summary.
- Utilizes computer systems to house and retrieve data such as SKIES and GUIDE, plus all the Microsoft office products. Utilizes reporting systems to track and maintain a high level of performance and accountability. Assists job seekers to use technology to help them find employment and/or improve their skills such as Key Train, Mavis Beacon, Win Way resume, etc., and assists them with internet services such as email and websites that would assist job seekers to find employ when deemed necessary.
- Conducts one-on-one interviews with job seekers to evaluate work history and education for employment opportunities. Assesses and interprets employment and economic data regarding labor market conditions, occupational demand, wages, etc, providing each job seeker with a job, employment and/or training referral and job match services, utilizing the WA, WS, WX and other employment resources. Utilizes the SKIES and GUIDE systems to document interview and then finalizing the interview with a Re-employment Service Summary.
- Schedules and conducts workshops in Job Hunter Series, Job Search, employment, re-employment and unemployment services. Conducts UI Reemployment Orientation, Claimant Placement Program, and Emergency Unemployment Claimants workshops and orientations.
- Conducts outreach services to the MSFW community and its employers, matching MSFW with jobs, predominantly in the agriculture industries, but also assisting MSFW’s search for non-agricultural employment and/or training opportunities.
- Promotes and works with the H2A program for assistance in interstate, intrastate, and out-of-country agricultural workers for local employers.
Required qualifications
One year as a WorkSource Specialist 2 or equivalent class within Employment Security Department, or in another state’s Employment Security agency.
Or
A bachelor's degree and two years of professional experience in social or human resource services, public relations, or public contact work, such as: UI, social services, human resource services, education, public relations, benefits programs, insurance claims, law enforcement, banking, and real estate.
Or
A master's degree.
Additional experience in social or human resource services, public relations, or public contact work will substitute, year for year, for education, but not for the two years of professional experience.
College course work will substitute, year for year, for the required years of experience specified above. Qualifying volunteer experience in the above defined areas of work is acceptable.
Special requirement
Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand both English and Spanish.
Desired qualifications
This position is about helping people in need and helping people find employment with a focus on the migrant, seasonal farm worker population and the agricultural industry. The best candidates will enjoy working with the public and thrive off of seeing others find success while meeting business goals and performance expectations. Top candidates will have the following experience and skills demonstrated in their applicant packet:
- Community outreach experience.
- Experience working with the migrant, seasonal farm worker, and/or the agricultural community.
- Experience providing job placements, job referrals, job matching services, and/or career counseling services.
- Experience identifying and working with individuals with barriers.
- Experience using Microsoft Word, Outlook, and other database programs at a skilled level.
Why we work here
Employment Security employees:
- Make a difference in the lives of people looking for work.
- Receive affordable, quality healthcare, including medical, dental, and vision options.
- Get a generous, paid time-off package.
- Enjoy an employer-funded retirement plan.
- Can sign up for a deferred-compensation program, flexible-spending accounts and tuition reimbursement.
- Work in a challenging and fun environment with creative, talented, and diverse individuals.
How to apply
Your application materials must be received no later than 5 p.m. on November 8, 2009, to be considered for this position.
Complete and submit:
1) To download an ESD application, click the link below.
ESD Application
2) Letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this opportunity
Send your complete applicant package via e-mail to HRrecruiting@esd.wa.gov. Please reference the recruitment number in your email subject line.
To be considered for this position, you must submit a complete applicant package and follow the application instructions. Incomplete applicant packages will not be considered.
- Application materials must be in Word format (no PDF or scanned files).
- A signature is not required on the application form.
- Please do not password-protect the application form.
- Only electronically submitted materials are accepted.
The application package will be evaluated on quality and completeness as part of the screening/evaluation process. Should you have any questions regarding the application process please check the Frequently Asked Questions - Jobs at Employment Security page.
Agency profile
Employment Security Department (ESD) is one of the largest executive agencies in Washington State government.
The mission of Employment Security Department is to help Washington's workers and employers succeed in the global
economy by delivering superior employment services, timely unemployment benefits, and a fair and stable unemployment
insurance system.
Employment & Career Development Division profile
WorkSource sites statewide and the Web site provide no-fee job-listing and referral services to match employers and job seekers. Special programs and services are available for employers, welfare recipients, veterans, farm workers, persons of disability, unemployment insurance claimants, youth and others. We are here to help workers find employment that leads to long-term career growth.
Other information
As a condition of employment, the successful candidate accepting this position must comply with the Union Security clause contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington and the Washington Federation of State Employees.
Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer and provider of employment and training services. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities.
Individuals with disabilities needing assistance in the application process or needing this job announcement in an alternate format should provide contact information via e-mail, or via telecommunications device for the deaf at 800-676-3777.
