Workforce Specialist

Employer:

Why We Care NFP

Reports To:

Program Manager

Position Type:
Grant-Funded Position – R3 Grant

Program:
Southland Economic Empowerment Initiative

The Workforce and Education Pathways Coordinator is a grant-funded position with Why We Care NFP, supported through the R3 Grant, and will support the implementation of the Southland Economic Empowerment Initiative, a comprehensive economic mobility program serving residents in R3 zones, including Dolton, Riverdale, Posen, Phoenix, Harvey, and Robbins.

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Coordinator will support participants pursuing workforce training, career development, and employment opportunities. The position will coordinate training enrollment, provide career-readiness assistance, monitor participant progress, and connect participants to employment opportunities and employer partners.

The Southland Economic Empowerment Initiative, administered by Why We Care NFP, is designed to increase access to workforce training, entrepreneurship development, financial literacy education, employment pathways, and civil legal aid referrals. The initiative addresses economic barriers by connecting residents with coordinated services that support employment, business development, financial stability, and the resolution of legal barriers that may limit economic participation.

• Coordinate participant enrollment, orientation, and referrals to appropriate workforce training and career development programs.
• Assist participants in identifying training and employment pathways aligned with their skills, interests, experience, and career goals.
• Provide career-readiness support, including resume and cover letter development, job-search assistance, application support, and mock interviews.
• Maintain regular communication with participants to monitor engagement, training progress, credential attainment, and employment goals.
• Identify barriers to successful participation and coordinate referrals to appropriate program services, community resources, or partner organizations.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with workforce training providers, educational institutions, employers, and community partners.
• Coordinate participant referrals and enrollment with training partners and monitor attendance, progress, completion, and credential attainment.
• Connect qualified participants with employment opportunities, employer partners, hiring events, internships, apprenticeships, and other career pathways.
• Support participants throughout the application, interview, hiring, and early employment process.
• Track participant outcomes, including training enrollment and completion, credentials earned, job placement, retention, and other required R3 Grant performance measures.
• Maintain accurate and timely participant records, case notes, service documentation, and grant-related reporting information.
• Provide regular program updates to the Program Manager and assist with reports, participant success stories, outcome data, and other grant-related documentation.
• Participate in staff meetings, partner meetings, employer engagement activities, and community outreach events as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Manager and consistent with the goals of the Southland Economic Empowerment Initiative.

• At least two (2) years of professional experience in workforce development, career services, employment placement, job readiness, workforce training coordination, or a closely related field.
• Bachelor's degree in workforce development, education, human services, social services, business administration, human resources, or a related field preferred. Relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Demonstrated experience assisting individuals with resume development, interviewing, job searching, employment preparation, or similar career-readiness activities.
• Experience working with workforce training providers, employers, educational institutions, community-based organizations, or similar partners.
• Experience tracking participant progress, outcomes, and maintaining accurate program…