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 roles29
Top employerClarvida
Top citySan Jose, CA
Cities hiring18
Work type50% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 29+ Employment Specialist jobs

Morgan Lewis
Legal Administrative Specialist - Labor & Employment
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Morgan Lewis
Added 1d ago
Legal Administrative Specialist - Labor & Employment
Morgan Lewis
Los Angeles, California
Business Development
Business Strategy
Partnerships & Business Development
$87k - $113k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc.
Employment Specialist/ Job Coach
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Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc.
Added 1d ago
Employment Specialist/ Job Coach
Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc.
Sacramento, California
Community & Nonprofit Services
Customer Service
Human Resources
$24.5 - $25.86/hr
On-Site
Associate's degree

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Union Station Homeless Services
Employment Specialist
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Union Station Homeless Services
Added 2d ago
Employment Specialist
Union Station Homeless Services
Altadena, California
Customer Service
Technical Program Management
Bachelor of Arts
51-200

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N
Employment Specialist
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N
Added 2d ago
Employment Specialist
North Valley Services
Red Bluff, California
Corporate Training
Educational Administration
Learning & Development
$18.5 - $24.5/hr
High school diploma or GED

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Goodwill Central Coast
WIOA Employment Specialist
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Goodwill Central Coast
Added 5d ago
WIOA Employment Specialist
Goodwill Central Coast
Watsonville, California
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$23 - $25/hr
Associate's degree
501-1,000

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See All 29 Employment Specialist Jobs in California

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Employment Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Jose
4 jobs
San Francisco
3 jobs
San Diego
2 jobs
Sacramento
2 jobs
Los Angeles
2 jobs
Concord
1 job
Hanford
1 job
Altadena
1 job
Pasadena
1 job

Employment Specialist Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

Clarvida
Clarvida2 open roles
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County2 open roles
Goodwill of Silicon Valley
Goodwill of Silicon Valley2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services

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, San Bernardino County, and Goodwill of Silicon Valley, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?

San Jose, San Francisco, and San Diego 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 50% of employment specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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 29 Employment Specialist Jobs in California

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

Find Employment Specialist Jobs