Workforce Development Specialist

Position Summary

The Workforce Development Specialist helps Veterans served by VTC build skills, find meaningful employment, and maintain long-term job stability. The position provides individual career coaching, job readiness assistance, employer outreach, and connections to education, training, and employment opportunities that match each Veteran’s interests, abilities, and goals. This is a temporary position expected to last until approximately November 2027.

The Specialist works with case managers and community partners to address employment barriers and help Veterans build financial stability and independence. The role requires practical problem-solving, reliable follow-through, and respect for each Veteran’s experiences and choices.

• Meet individually with Veterans to identify work history, military and civilian skills, career interests, education, strengths, and support needs.
• Develop a written employment plan with each participating Veteran, including realistic goals, action steps, referrals, and follow-up dates. Review progress and adjust the plan together.
• Help Veterans translate military experience into civilian job qualifications and explore employment, apprenticeships, certificates, or further education.
• Coordinate with case managers to address barriers such as transportation, identification, work clothing, digital access, or scheduling conflicts. Refer benefits questions to qualified benefits counselors.

• Assist Veterans with resumes, cover letters, job applications, online job searches, and professional email communication.
• Provide interview practice and coaching on workplace expectations, attendance, communication, conflict resolution, and responding to employer feedback.
• Lead practical workshops on job search skills, basic computer use, workplace readiness, and career advancement.
• Help Veterans prepare for job offers and start dates, including required paperwork, transportation plans, and access to appropriate work supplies.

• Develop relationships with local employers, workforce agencies, and community organizations to identify suitable job openings and hiring needs.
• Match Veterans with opportunities based on qualifications, interests, schedules, and goals; coordinate referrals, interviews, hiring events, and employer introductions.
• Explain VTC’s employment services to employers and maintain current employer contacts and job opportunities. Share participant information only with appropriate consent.

• Connect Veterans with workforce centers, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, and other training providers to pursue skills needed for their chosen careers.
• Assist with enrollment steps and referrals for available training resources; coordinate with partner staff and follow up on attendance, completion, and credentials earned.
• Develop education and training connections with Monterey Peninsula College, Hartnell College, California State University Monterey Bay, and other regional partners as appropriate to Veteran goals and VTC priorities.

• Follow up with Veterans after placement to identify early challenges, support adjustment to the workplace, and help resolve concerns before employment is disrupted.
• Coordinate employer communication with the Veteran’s consent and within VTC procedures. Support self-advocacy and refer accommodation questions to appropriate resources.
• Help Veterans pursue increased hours, higher wages, additional training, or advancement when consistent with their goals.
• Document job retention at established follow-up intervals and help Veterans update…