Employment Connections Specialist: Whidbey Island (WSS4 in training)



Employment Connections Specialist: Whidbey Island (WSS4 in training)

Salary

$41,352.00 - $54,108.00 Annually

Location

Island County - Oak Harbor, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2020-05583

Department

Employment Security Department

Division

Employment Connections

Opening Date

08/10/2020

Closing Date

8/24/2020 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Here's your opportunity to be a key part of how we live our vision and BUILD the nation's best and most future ready workforce – starting right at ESD!
Here at the Employment Security Department (ESD) we believe in the #PowertoHelp when people need it most. We provide our communities with inclusive workforce solutions that promote economic resilience and prosperity. We help people find jobs, bridge gaps in employment and now provide paid family and medical leave.
 
Why work with us?
Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others and are at the core of who we are. We value Collaboration, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Innovation, and Integrity, Investing in our people and Service with kindness.  We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value and trust our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

We have a fantastic opportunity in our Whidbey Island WorkSource office for an energetic Employment Connections Specialist with a flexible and innovative mind set and the ability to provide positive solutions for unexpected challenges. As our world has changed, so has the delivery methods of our services.  Whether in-person or now virtually our Employment Connections Specialists are a critical piece of our mission of providing our services to job seekers and employers. 

As an Employment Connections Specialist, you will support economic stability and an effective workforce by providing excellent direct reemployment, support, customer and postemployment services to our WorkFirst customers. Your work will ensure our clients and/or claimants receive WorkFirst (TANF) cash assistance and/or unemployment insurance benefits. Working with this diverse population as they navigate through trying times, you will develop individual employment service plans and guide customers to effectively use in employment and training programs and services. Your data management experience will be vital as you record and maintain case notes, service plans, program-related expenditures, and exit outcomes.

If you are ready to make an impact on those in your community in need of assistance, we encourage you to apply now!
 
This is an in-training opportunity and will be hired as a WorkSource Specialist 3, depending on qualifications. 
You will be required to successfully complete the training plan in order to promote to the next level of the series until the goal class of WorkSource Specialist 4 is reached.
 
Salary ranges for these levels are:
WorkSource Specialist 3: $41,352 - $54,108 annually depending on qualifications.
WorkSource Specialist 4: $45,504 - $59,688 annually depending on qualifications.
 

Duties

What a typical day looks like:
  • Determine eligibility and/or appropriateness for program; enroll and explain program participation requirements.
  • Conduct staff assisted job development, job matches and job follow-up; make job referrals; verify customer job search.
  • Ensure the customer understands and follows all employment and training directives, expectations, and
  • performance standards.
  • Perform records management functions in accordance with agency and program procedures.
  • Enter new and/or updated data in multiple data management systems.
To request a detailed position description click here.

Qualifications

Required:
  • A Bachelor's degree in social science, business administration or related field and two (2) years of professional experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or professional public contact work. 
OR 
  • One (1) year of experience as a WorkSource Specialist 2 within the Employment Security Department, or in an equivalent class with another state's Employment Security agency.  
OR 
  • A combination of education and/or relevant experience.
*Such as: unemployment insurance, social services, human resource services, education, public relations, benefits programs, insurance claims, law enforcement and banking.

A Master's degree will substitute for one year of the required experience.

Supplemental Information

Please attach a Resume and Cover Letter to your on-line application (through the Add Attachment(s) field).

  • A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application.
  • Applications with comments such as "see attachments" in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.
Other Information
  • Final external candidates must pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Fraud Check.
  • This position requires occasional travel.
  • This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  • The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
  • If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960.

More than Just a Paycheck
Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. Beyond the traditional benefits such as Health, Life Insurance, Retirement, and related benefits, we offer Flex Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Assistance, Deferred Compensation and so much more. We take work life balance seriously and many of our offices offer flexible work hours with a wider variety of shift and schedule option to assist in this.

Modern Workplace
ESD's employee engagement continued to trend upward in 2018 as we developed programs to improve the employee experience. We are diligent and remain focused on creating a modern workplace designed to meet the needs of a changing workforce. We have wellness programs, telework policies and flexible schedules. We're working to update our facilities all over the state to enhance both the client and employee experience.
 

Opportunity for All
The Washington Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Please include your name and preferred pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process.

Please email Nicole Walters or the Talent Acquisition Team or call 360.890.3789 with general questions, or Washington Relay Service 711, if you are a person with a disability needing assistance in the application process or if you need this job announcement in an alternate format.

More than Just a Paycheck!
 
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

 
Read about our benefits:
 
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with the agency human resource office for specific benefit information.

Insurance Benefits
 
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.  There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.  Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.  Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.  To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.
 
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
 
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
 
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
 
Vacation (Annual Leave)
 
You begin accruing vacation starting your first month of employment. Since we value your loyalty, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Vacation accrues for full-time employees per WAC 357-31-165.
 
Holidays
 
Full-time employees are entitled to eleven* paid holidays:
 
HOLIDAY
DATE
 
New Year's Day
January 1
 
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday
Third Monday in January
 
Presidents' Day
Third Monday in February
 
Memorial Day
Last Monday in May
 
Independence Day
July 4
 
Labor Day
First Monday in September
 
Veterans' Day
November 11
 
Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
 
Christmas Day
December 25
 
Personal Holiday
Employee's selection each calendar year

*Employees who are members of certain Unions are entitled to an additional personal leave day of their choice. Please refer to specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
 
Social Security
 
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
 
Sick Leave
 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave may be used for reasons included in WAC 357-31-130.
 
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information.

01
In order to be considered for this position, you must include a resume and letter of interest with this applicant packet. Please click below to indicate you have attached the required documentation.
  • Yes
  • No
02
Are you a current or former Washington state employee?
  • Yes
  • No
03
I understand that this is an in-training opportunity and will be hired as a WorkSource Specialist 3, depending on qualifications. I will be required to successfully complete the training plan in order to promote to the next level of the series until the goal class of WorkSource Specialist 4 is reached.
  • Yes
  • No
04
Select any of the following that best describes your WorkSource Specialist experience gained at ESD or in another state's employment security agency.
  • 1 year WSS2 or higher within ESD
  • 1 year WSS2 or higher equivalent class within ESD
  • 1 year WSS2 equivalent or higher class in another state's ES agency
  • None of the above
05
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?
  • Associate's degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree or higher
  • None of these apply
06
Which best describes your professional experience in social or human resource services, public relations, or public contact work?
  • I have 11 months or less months experience
  • I have 12 - 23 months experience
  • I have 24 - 35 months experience
  • I have 36 - 47 months experience
  • I have 48 - 59 months experience
  • I have 60 - 72 months experience
  • I have 72 - 83 months experience
  • I have 84 or more months experience
  • I do not have experience
07
In support of the question above, select any of the following that describes the majority or focus of your experience:
  • A) Work-Force Development
  • B) Human Resource Services
  • C) Public Relations
  • D) Unemployment Insurance
  • E) Social Services
  • F) Education
  • G) Benefits Programs
  • H) Insurance Claims
  • I) Law Enforcement
  • J) Banking
  • K) Other Public Contact Work
  • L) None of the above
08
In support of the question above, briefly describe your work experience and how it relates to this position. If this does not apply to you, type N/A.
09
How did you hear about this job opportunity?
  • WWW.Careers.Wa.Gov
  • WorkSource Center or Website (WorkSourceWA.com)
  • Washington State Employee Referral
  • ESD Employee Referral
  • Employment Security Department's job web page: WWW.Esd.Wa.Gov
  • Monster
  • College/university career fair or website
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • VERG
  • Craigslist
  • CareerBuilder
  • Other
10
If you selected "Other", please tell us how you learned about this job opportunity. If this does not apply to you, type N/A.

Required Question

Agency
State of Washington
Address
View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Phone
View Posting for Agency Contact