Employment Specialist Jobs in California

Employment Specialist jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where public workforce agencies, nonprofits, and large employers maintain active hiring across vocational rehabilitation, workforce development, and job placement specialties. Organizations such as Goodwill Industries of Southern California, the California Department of Rehabilitation, and Marriott International consistently employ specialists at every level from entry-level case coordinator to senior program manager. Demand is especially strong in workforce reentry, disability services, and community-based employment programs tied to California's expansive social services infrastructure. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles55
Top employerClarvida
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring31
Work type48% On-site
Top credentialBachelor's degree

Showing 5 of 55+ Employment Specialist jobs

UC Davis
Temporary Employment Services (TES) Digital Communications Specialist 3
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UC Davis
Added 2d ago
Temporary Employment Services (TES) Digital Communications Specialist 3
UC Davis
Davis, California
Customer Service
Technical Program Management
Hybrid
10,000+

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Social Vocational Services
Employment Specialist - 268
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Social Vocational Services
Added 2d ago
Employment Specialist - 268
Social Vocational Services
Long Beach, California
Administrative & Office Support
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
On-Site
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Central Valley Regional Center
Employment Specialist
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Central Valley Regional Center
Added 2d ago
Employment Specialist
Central Valley Regional Center
Merced, California
Business Operations
Compliance & Risk
Project Management
$71k.73 - $87k.15/yr
Master's degree in social work
201-500

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S
Employment Training Specialist
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S
Added 3d ago
Employment Training Specialist
SER - Jobs for Progress, Inc.
Pasadena, California
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
On-Site
Associate's degree in psychology

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California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Employment Development Specialist I
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California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Added 3d ago
Employment Development Specialist I
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Santa Clara County, CA
Business Operations
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$4,570 - $6,880/yr
Hybrid
5,001-10,000

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See All 55 Employment Specialist Jobs in California

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Employment Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
7 jobs
San Diego
6 jobs
San Francisco
6 jobs
Sacramento
3 jobs
Fresno
2 jobs
Concord
2 jobs
San Jose
2 jobs
Riverside
2 jobs
South San Francisco
2 jobs

Employment Specialist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Clarvida
Clarvida4 open roles
JobTrain
JobTrain2 open roles
Morgan Lewis
Morgan Lewis2 open roles

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in employment specialist jobs across California.

  • California Department of Rehabilitation vendor certification preferred for vocational rehabilitation roles
  • Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, human services, or a related field
  • Experience conducting job development, placement, and employer outreach in California communities
  • Knowledge of California Employment Development Department programs and CalJOBS system
  • Case management experience with documentation in an electronic tracking system
  • Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation for community-based services

Employment Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a employment specialist in California?

Most employment specialist positions in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, rehabilitation, or a related human services field. Roles within the vocational rehabilitation system often require or strongly prefer candidates who qualify to work with the California Department of Rehabilitation, which may involve department-approved vendor credentialing. Familiarity with the CalJOBS system and California's America's Job Centers network gives candidates a concrete advantage in public-sector hiring.

Which companies hire employment specialists in California?

Employers hiring employment specialists in California right now include Clarvida, JobTrain, and Morgan Lewis, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large nonprofit sector, county workforce investment boards, and statewide rehabilitation agencies make it one of the most consistently active employment specialist markets in the country.

Which California cities have the most employment specialist jobs?

Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco lead California for employment specialist openings. Los Angeles dominates due to the scale of its county social services system and nonprofit workforce sector, while Sacramento concentrates state agency headquarters and policy-driven programs, and the Bay Area reflects demand from both tech-adjacent workforce development initiatives and large regional nonprofits.

Are there remote employment specialist jobs in California?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because employment specialist work often requires in-person client contact, employer outreach, and community site visits. About 52% of employment specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with virtual roles most often found in case coordination, program intake, and grant-funded workforce development positions that rely on phone and video contact.

How can I get hired as a employment specialist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through an employment services assistant or job developer associate role at a California America's Job Center, county workforce board, or large nonprofit such as Goodwill Industries of Southern California or Chrysalis. Many California county departments and workforce agencies hire candidates with a relevant degree and no direct experience into trainee classifications. Volunteering or completing an internship through a California State University human services program and earning a basic case management certificate strengthens an application considerably.

Where can I find and apply to employment specialist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to employment specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, whether that is vocational rehabilitation, workforce development, or community job placement, and apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and location.

See All 55 Employment Specialist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Employment Specialist Jobs