Workforce Development Specialist II

Mortenson is currently seeking an experienced

Workforce Development Specialist II to join our team.

This role will serve asa liaison with community partners, community-based organizations, city, county and state officials, business and industry, union trade and technical schools, all educational institutions within the area(s) assigned.

This role is focused on assisting job seekers expressing interest in employment within the construction industry and program participants in their efforts to kickstart a career within the industry

Location: Minneapolis, MN / Denver, CO / Chicago, IL area / Nashville, TN / San Antonio, TX / Phoenix, AZ

• Meet with job seekers and or potential program candidates to discuss and develop clear career and employment goals that supports their career pathway; identifying cognitive strengths & challenges; areas of interest, time management strategies; self-advocacy and identify potential obstacles.
• Provide navigational coaching, which includes career pathway and transition services, follow up and retention, referral services for job seekers in support of their career goals and or academic attainment and employment within the industry.
• Assist potential candidates and or program participants on a walk in/appointment basis in assigned high volume to determine fit for a program, and related funding resources to include but not limited to:
• Complete mandated/time sensitive Progress Reports for program participants to maintain satisfactory progress within the program. Completes all required activity and or program reports weekly.
• Work as a member of the project site teams to collaborate with Mortenson onsite project leadership, customers, Trade partners, Mortenson internal teams, diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) Manager, community impact teams
• Explore industry trends and impact on employment, hiring trends, best practices in the industry training(s)
• Conduct outreach, recruitment, prescreens and orientation for potential program candidates.
• Coordinate with community partners, educational institutions, union and non-union trade partners to identify and recruit special populations (homeless, low skilled, returning citizens, veterans and low-income), adults and young adults limited in skills and resources, across the community(s) where Mortenson is building.
• Partner with the internal marketing team to develop appropriate marketing materials to reflect the local demographic within the area Mortenson is selected to build
• Provide systematic communication with program participants through multiple methods including:
• Establishing group text-participants to use for communication outside of classroom
• Utilizing text messaging for emergency texting regarding onsite and or immediate program changes.
• Email via company email address, no use of personal email (priority for use when communicating with participants)
• Effectively work and build relationships with those of diverse backgrounds and organizational levels

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; if no Bachelor’s degree, high school diploma/GED or equivalent required with 3+ years of workforce development experience, including developing, implementing, and managing workforce development programs.
• 3+ years of experience in Workforce Development, including case management experience and having had a caseload of at least 50 program participants
• Previous experience interacting with corporate company’s, community leaders local political officials, county boards, etc.
• Ability to interact with a diverse population and build relationships quickly
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to handle multiple projects with varying deadlines simultaneously
• Proficient skills in Microsoft Word,…