Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Outreach Specialist - Bilingual

Job Title

Bilingual (English/Spanish) Migrant Seasonal Farm Worker (MSFW) Outreach Specialist

Iowa WORKS has an opening for a bilingual (English/Spanish) dynamic, customer focused, Migrant Seasonal Farm Worker (MSFW) Outreach Specialist to provide critical services to agricultural workers and employers in Iowa located in our Iowa Works Council Bluffs, IA office. In this important role, you will provide outreach to MSFWs where they live, work and gather to ensure they receive equitable access to important workforce related services and referrals.

Position Details

• Location:
  
  300 W Broadway #13, Council Bluffs, IA
• Schedule:
  
  Full-time | Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Hybrid telework and alternate work schedule opportunities after 6 months of employment and training have been completed

What You'll Do

As an Outreach Specialist, you will have the opportunity to:

• Conduct outreach to Migrant and Seasonal Farm workers (MSFWs) in their workplaces, living areas, and community gathering locations.
• Meet with MSFW participants to assess employability, eligibility for workforce services, and employment barriers or challenges.
• Explain available Iowa WORKS services, including employment, training, Employment Service, and Employment-related Law Complaint System resources.
• Provide information on farm worker rights, employment terms and conditions, and organizations serving MSFWs in the area.
• Encourage MSFWs to access services at Iowa WORKS centers and provide on-site services when individuals cannot or do not wish to visit a center.
• Refer job seekers to seasonal, permanent, agricultural, and non-agricultural employment opportunities.
• Promote and connect customers with workforce programs and services, including Unemployment Insurance, Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), Veterans assistance, PROMISE JOBS, food assistance, and other Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) programs.
• Collaborate with partner agencies, including National Farm worker Job Grant, Legal Aid, Migrant Education, and Braking Traffik.
• Provide courteous, respectful, and professional customer service to internal and external customers.
• Collaborate with the One-Stop workforce system to improve customer experience and access to services.
• Interpret and explain applicable workforce rules and regulations to MSFW participants.
• Document and enter daily and monthly outreach activities, services, and reports into the appropriate electronic system.

Partner Agency Coordination & Referral

• Identify and maintain knowledge of services provided by partner agencies and service-based organizations that assist MSFW participants.
• Contact service organizations to plan outreach activities and compile available services electronically.
• Exchange monthly updates and current information regarding services available to MSFWs.
• Refer MSFW participants to appropriate partners and service agencies for applicable services.

Agricultural Employer Outreach & Support

• Maintain regular contact with agricultural employers to assist with assessments and staffing needs.
• Provide assistance to employers and community-based organizations regarding presentations, the Agriculture Recruiting System, Worker's Rights, and Migrant and Seasonal Farm worker programs.
• Maintain an up-to-date tracking log for services provided to employers.
• Present or coordinate presentations for agricultural employers and agriculture-related employer groups.
• Provide information on MSPA, child labor laws, OSHA, tax information, and Worker's Compensation.
• Conduct presentations in both small- and large group settings.

Case Management & Participant Services

• Perform case management functions, including assessing participants' transferable skills, education, and work experience.
• Develop participant goals and objectives to identify employment-related opportunities that provide experience and support progress toward self-sufficiency.
• Identify additional supportive service needs and connect participants with appropriate resources.
• Maintain an organized electronic case file for each participant.
• Follow all program rules, policies, and procedures.
• Coordinate co-enrollment with partner agencies and programs, including the National Farm Job…