Employer Engagement and Career Development Specialist

Home - Skilled US Why SKILLED US - Skilled US The Opportunity : The Employer Engagement and Career Development Specialist is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with local and regional employers to create job and internship opportunities for Skilled US students.

This role focuses on connecting students to potential career paths through partnerships with businesses, job fairs, and career development programs.

Additionally, the Specialist will work with employers in the community who need training for their current employees, ensuring Skilled US can support upskilling initiatives for businesses.

The Specialist will oversee and run career readiness workshops focused on resume building, interview preparation, and professional skills development.

They will also manage and organize job fairs, ensuring students have direct access to employers who are eager to hire individuals with the skills developed through Skilled US programs.

Essential Job Tasks : Develop and maintain relationships with local businesses and industries to secure job opportunities for Skilled US students.

Engage with local and state workforce development partners and employers in the community to understand their workforce needs and offer training programs to upskill their current employees.

Organize and coordinate job fairs and hiring events, connecting employers with prospective employees. Plan and facilitate career development workshops, including resume building, interview techniques, and job search strategies.

Provide one-on-one career counseling and support for students seeking employment or career changes. Stay up to date with labor market trends to ensure Skilled US students are prepared for the evolving job market.

Collaborate with training partners to align career development workshops with student needs and employer expectations. Monitor and evaluate the success of employer partnerships, job fairs, and upskilling initiatives, using data to inform program improvements.

Act as a liaison between students, training partners, and employers to ensure successful employment outcomes for both students and businesses.

Administrative Duties Maintain accurate student records, track student progress, and submit necessary reports in a timely manner.

Organize and manage both the GED curriculum and manufacturing training schedule, ensuring students meet milestones in both areas.

Collaborate with program coordinators and other staff to align educational initiatives with industry standards and student needs.

Student Support Provide individual tutoring and guidance as needed, helping students overcome academic and technical challenges.

Regularly assess and evaluate student performance, providing constructive feedback to foster improvement in both academic and technical skills.

Foster student engagement through the development of motivational strategies and retention plans to help students stay on track.

Community Engagement Build relationships with employers in the community, facilitating partnerships for student internships, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities.

Serve as a liaison between Skilled US, local and state workforce development partners, and local companies to identify potential collaborations, training opportunities, and workforce development initiatives.

Work with employers who need additional training for their employees, ensuring the program aligns with industry needs. Experience and Education Requirements : Bachelor’s degree in business, human resources, social work, or a related field.

Proven experience in employer engagement, workforce development, or career services. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and events.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Familiarity with resume building, career coaching, job placement strategies, and workforce training.

Experience in organizing job fairs or similar events is a plus. Strong organizational, communication, and classroom management skills.

In-depth understanding of workforce development, career pathways, and how to integrate these into teaching practices. Proficiency with spreadsheets (Excel), databases.

Excellent active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, social perceptiveness, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Experience in adult education training and career advising. Knowledge of social work case management is an added advantage.

Bilingual skills are preferred but not required. Availability : This full-time position requires in-person and occasional virtual interactions with students, training partners, and community partners.

Flexibility to work during both day and evening hours as needed is essential. The Network : PLA is a transformative education nonprofit changing communities across the country by providing a depth of resources not found in the traditional education model.

In addition to serving as one of the country’s best turnaround school operators and successfully launching charter school start-ups, PLA also provides our school communities with a successful, research-based summer learning program (Summer Advantage), a successful Reading and Math Intervention program (Reading and Math Advantage) , and a workforce development program (PLA University) that provides expanded opportunities for our high school graduates, along with the family members of our current staff and students.

This menu of programs and services is unique to our network, sets us apart from other organizations, and provides expanded opportunities for our staff through career advancement opportunities, and expanded income opportunities.

PLA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Please read carefully. Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me.

If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice.

I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary. You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application.

No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks.

If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal. Powered by JazzHR