Employment Specialist - Career Technical Education Program

Summary 

The CTE Employment Specialist’s role is critical to the overall GWSV CTE mission of helping individuals facing barriers to employment—including justice involvement, disability, or housing instability—transition from technical training into meaningful, sustainable careers. This role blends individualized coaching, job readiness support, and employer engagement to help participants advance into living-wage careers that align with their interests and the skills gained through our CTE programs. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Learner and Career Support 

• Provide 1:1 and group career coaching to learners in occupational training programs (e.g., Construction Fundamentals, HVAC, Medical Assistant) 

• Support participants in career readiness activities: resume writing, interview preparation, networking, and job search strategy 

• Tailor coaching to address each participant’s unique goals, challenges, and lived experience 

Employer Engagement and Job Placement 

• Build and maintain relationships with employers and workforce partners 

• Pursue employment opportunities aligned with learner interests and training pathways 

• Facilitate job matching and follow-up to support successful placement and retention 

• In coordination with Employer Engagement Manager, regularly develop and distribute lists of job leads to graduating and graduated CTE students 

• Monitor graduate retention post-employment through regular follow-up with employer and/or participant 

• Write and submit student success stories and document best practices as requested by internal and external partners and funders 

Data, Reporting, and Compliance 

• Maintain accurate case notes, records, and outcomes in program database 

• Monitor and report on participant progress toward placement and retention milestones 

• Use data to inform coaching strategies and adjust support to maximize outcomes 

Program Collaboration and Contribution 

• Coordinate with instructors, case managers, and training vendors to ensure wraparound support 

• Attend team meetings, professional development sessions, and supervision check-ins 

• Participate in continuous improvement efforts to enhance learner outcomes and program quality. 

Required Qualifications: 

• 2+ years’ experience in career coaching, case management, workforce development, or employment services. 

• Familiarity with job search strategies, employer outreach, and industry-recognized credentials. 

• Demonstrated ability to motivate and support individuals from diverse, underserved communities. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and virtual meeting platforms. 

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written communication skills. 

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) 

• Must possess a Valid CA driver's license and auto insurance. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience  

• Experience working with justice-involved individuals, people with disabilities, or housing-insecure populations. 

• Knowledge of local labor market trends and high-demand industry sectors. 

• Bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, or other commonly spoken regional languages.  

• Familiarity with workforce or case management systems (e.g., CaseWorthy, Salesforce). 

• Experience in a nonprofit, training, or community-based setting. 

Sucess Metrics May Include: 

• Participant job placement rate within 90 days of training completion. 

• Job retention rate at 30/60/90-day benchmarks. 

• Participant satisfaction and feedback scores. 

• Quality and timeliness of documentation and case records. 

• Employer feedback and engagement. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed care 

• Demonstrated ability to work in a mission-driven, collaborative environment 

• Personal alignment with GWSV’s belief in the power of work to change lives 

• Embodiment of GWSV’s core values: Integrity (honesty), collaboration, respect, and mutual empowerment 

Work Environment and Support 

•  In-person participant meetings, team meetings, and community events 

• Access to professional development opportunities and mentoring, such as Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator Professional Certificate 

• Supportive team culture focused on shared learning and innovation 

Equipment Used: 

• Computer, telephone, and copy machine 

• Case management software; Microsoft Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc.) 

Working Conditions: 

The job is performed indoors in a climatically controlled setting in cooperation with co- workers. There is regular contact with the public, business and community agencies. 

Emotional Effort 

Moderate: Occasional short deadlines. The work environment is occasionally hectic with occasional high activity, with great emphasis on teamwork. 

Physical Requirements: 

• The job involves sedentary and light work. Light work requires lifting no more than 20 lbs and frequent lifting and or carrying items weighing 10 lbs. 

• Light work differs from sedentary work in that it requires substantially more walking and 

• standing and the lifting required is frequent; or that repetitive manipulation of clothing or other items while seated or standing is frequent. 

Pay Range 

$28 - $30 hourly 

Goodwill of Silicon Valley is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law