Workforce Development Specialist Jobs
Workforce Development Specialist jobs are open across nonprofits, community colleges, workforce boards, and corporate HR departments, from entry-level program coordinators to senior directors, with specializations in job training design, employer partnerships, and grant-funded program management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
The Community Youth Center of San Francisco (CYC) provides the youth of our city a sense of belonging and vital tools and experiences to succeed in life. Our services include academic support and college counseling, job placement and employment training, substance use and violence prevention education, crisis intervention and mediation, leadership development, technology and computer training. Our mission is to encourage a diverse population of high-need young people to explore their full potential through academic, career, family, and community life.
Title: Program Specialist
Salary: $26.00 - $30.00 per hour plus excellent benefits
Reports to: Program Coordinator
Status: Full Time, (40 hours/week), Non Exempt
Program Summary: CYC’s YAWL Workforce Development Program provides job readiness and employment support services to youth ages 16-24. The program offers 1:1 job search and career coaching, work based learning internships, college and career exploration, and job shadowing opportunities to propel youth and young adults to be ready for college, work and reach productive adulthood.
Position Description: Under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, the Program Specialist is responsible for coordinating and facilitating employment readiness workshops/training, career counseling, and providing high quality youth workforce and development services.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop curriculum and facilitate job readiness training workshops which include but are not limited to: professionalism, career exploration, resume and cover letter building, job search/navigation, interview skill development, mock interviews, and strength/talent identification.
- Provide 1:1 career guidance and assist participants with individualized education and career planning services, job search and placement assistance and conduct follow ups for retention services.
- Collaborate with the workforce team to strategize on program planning, development and implementation of overall youth workforce development programs and outcomes.
- Lead youth outreach initiatives, cultivating strategic community partnerships and developing a robust referral network to support recruitment and engagement.
- Support worksite visits, college tours, career spotlights, and special events as assigned.
- Connect participants to resources within CYC and other CBO or city services for barrier removal to ensure their success.
- Ensure that all program development incorporates local “Youth Program Quality Standards” and all deliverables are met as stated in the grant work plan.
- Act as a liaison and collaborate with other post secondary educational and training services to support youth.
- Coordinate GED attainment services, tutoring services, and basic skills remediation as needed.
- Cultivate relationships with employers to develop employment opportunities for youth and young adults.
- Complete all required written documentation and reports as required to meet funder compliance.
- Support agency-wide events and other duties as assigned by management.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Two years of experience working with youth, preferably within youth workforce development programs.
- Experience in facilitating meetings, workshops, and providing 1:1 support to youth and young adults.
- Ability to work with ethnically diverse groups of low-income youth as well as English language learners to provide social and emotional support.
- Experience working with community-based service providers and private sector partners.
- Ability to work as part of a team to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and to work independently in a fast paced environment.
- Bilingual in Spanish/Chinese and English is preferred.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Good organizational and project management skills.
- Enthusiasm for promoting academic achievement and college to career education.
- Able to lift or move at least 25lbs
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
CYC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, age, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis recognized by federal, state, or local law, including on the basis of the intersection of two or more protected characteristics, also known as intersectional discrimination. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.
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Find JobsWorkforce Development Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Intuit16

- Harrisburg Area Community College16
- D'Youville University5

- COPE Health Solutions4

- County College Of Morris4

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Electronics & Hardware
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in workforce development specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in human services, education, social work, or a related field
- Experience with case management and individualized employment planning for job seekers
- Knowledge of WIOA-funded programs, eligibility criteria, and performance reporting requirements
- Proficiency with workforce case management software or applicant tracking systems
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain employer partnerships across multiple industries
- Experience facilitating job readiness workshops, resume coaching, or occupational skills training
Tips for Your Workforce Development Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to funding sources
Many workforce development roles are grant-funded, so hiring managers look for candidates who understand compliance reporting, performance metrics, and program deliverables tied to federal or state dollars. Name the specific funding streams you've worked with, such as WIOA or TANF, wherever possible.
Highlight employer partnership outcomes
Workforce development specialists are judged on job placement rates and employer relationships, not just training delivered. Describe the number of employer partners you recruited or retained and the types of industries you connected participants to, using concrete outcomes rather than responsibilities.
Search by program type, not just title
Job postings for this role vary widely in title: career coach, employment specialist, workforce program coordinator, and training navigator all describe similar work. Searching across these variants surfaces openings you'd otherwise miss on any job board.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists workforce development specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a case management scenario for interviews
Interviewers frequently ask you to walk through how you'd support a participant facing multiple barriers to employment, such as housing instability or limited English. Prepare a structured example from your experience that shows assessment, goal-setting, and follow-through, not just empathy.
Negotiate around professional development budgets
Because certifications like the CWDP or state-specific workforce credentials matter for advancement, ask during offer conversations whether the organization funds continuing education or conference attendance. This signals long-term commitment and helps you evaluate the role beyond base compensation.
Workforce Development Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most workforce development specialists?
Intuit, Harrisburg Area Community College, and D'Youville University are hiring the most workforce development specialists right now, with openings concentrated in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially strong at American Job Centers, community colleges, and large nonprofit workforce intermediaries.
How many workforce development specialist jobs are remote?
About 52% of workforce development specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies by function. Roles focused on curriculum design, grant writing, and program evaluation tend to be the most remote-friendly, while positions requiring direct participant case management are more likely to be on-site or hybrid.
How do you become a workforce development specialist?
Most employers expect a bachelor's degree in a human services, education, or social science field, combined with direct experience supporting job seekers through training or employment programs. Starting in a case management, career coaching, or adult education role builds the core skills. Earning a credential such as the Certified Workforce Development Professional designation strengthens your candidacy as you advance.
Can you get hired as a workforce development specialist with little or no experience?
Entry-level roles do exist, particularly at community-based organizations and American Job Centers that hire program assistants or employment specialists without requiring prior workforce experience. Volunteering with job readiness programs, interning at a nonprofit, or completing coursework in career development can demonstrate readiness. Emphasizing transferable skills from customer service, teaching, social work, or community outreach roles helps close the experience gap.
What does the workforce development specialist interview process look like?
Most hiring processes include an initial phone screen focused on program experience and familiarity with workforce funding, followed by one or two in-person or video rounds with a panel that often includes program managers and HR. Candidates are frequently asked to describe a challenging participant case, walk through how they build employer relationships, or explain their experience with performance tracking and reporting. Some organizations assign a short written exercise or presentation.
Where can I find and apply to workforce development specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to workforce development specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
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