Employment Specialist (RGV)

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Employment Specialist supports Goodwill’s mission of empowering individuals to achieve independence through employment. This position works directly with job seekers to assess their skills, identify career goals, and connect them with training and employment opportunities. The Employment Specialist is responsible for meeting placement goals, including ensuring participants secure employment within established timeframes, and meet and/or exceed job placement outcome percentages. The Employment Specialist is expected to exemplify professionalism and demonstrate Goodwill’s core values of Empowerment, Public Trust, Respect, Innovation, Quality, and Safety.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

Participant Services

• Assess participants’ employment history, transferable skills, and career goals to determine job match.
• Assist participants with job applications, résumé development, and interview preparation.
• Track participant progress, document services, and maintain compliance with program requirements.
• Place participants in to jobs and meet organizational placement goals.

Employer & Community Engagement

• Attend community events and outreach activities to represent Goodwill and build strong relationships with key community members. Understand and be knowledgeable of upcoming trends in the community.
• Engage with agencies and establish collaborative relationships. Maintain on-going communication with employer partners and help identify qualified candidates for available positions. Build and maintain strong relationships with local employers to identify job openings; ensure quality and partner satisfaction.  
• Match participants with appropriate job opportunities and advocate for their employment.

Program Support & Compliance

• Responsible for case management for assigned participants.
• Monitor participant outcomes and contribute to achieving program performance goals (placements, completions, retention).
• Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development activities to strengthen service delivery.
• Maintain knowledge of local labor market trends, training opportunities, and workforce resources.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any of the following may be used to qualify:

• High School Diploma or equivalent and 5 (five) years related experience  
• Associate degree and 3 (three) years related experience
• Bachelor’s degree and 1 (one) year related experience
•  Possess a valid Driver License with a clean driving record. Reliable transportation with the ability to travel within the region as required for meeting participants, workshops, and meetings. Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug/alcohol screen. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Engaging with strong interpersonal, customer service and relationship-building skills. Able to effectively communicate with individuals with different lifestyles, genders, personal beliefs, and disabilities.
• Be highly resourceful and self-motivated, with ability to work effectively with little supervision. 
• Able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and Saturdays. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, business, workforce development, or related field
• Bilingual (English and Spanish speaking).
• Experience achieving measurable outcomes in job placements.
• Experience working with people with disabilities and disadvantaged conditions. 

Goodwill Industries of South Texas Inc. is an EO employer M/F/Vets/Disabled and other protected categories.