Talent Network Coordinator (Program Coordinator)

General Summary

The Talent Network Coordinator within the Office of Economic Development performs responsible, professional, administrative, and relationship-centered work coordinating talent connection services for jobseekers and businesses within the Charlottesville workforce ecosystem. This position serves as a workforce navigator utilizing a “no wrong door” approach, ensuring individuals and employers are connected to the most appropriate resources, programs, and opportunities within the community.

Work includes conducting needs assessments, providing information and referrals, coordinating service delivery across external partner organizations, and offering career navigation to support successful employment and workforce outcomes for local employers. The Talent Network Coordinator plays a key role in strengthening talent pipelines, improving access to services, and aligning community workforce efforts with the City’s economic development priorities.

Primarily and most frequently the work done here is performed independently and reports to Workforce Development Program Manager.

• Choice of retirement plan:
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Serve as a central point of contact for jobseekers and businesses seeking workforce support using a no wrong door model.
• Conduct assessments to identify employment, training, hiring, and workforce needs.
• Provide information, referrals, and warm handoffs to OED programs and community workforce partners.
• Deliver career coaching and navigation, including follow-up communication to ensure successful connections and outcomes.
• Assist jobseekers with resume development, job search strategies, and interview preparation.
• Support businesses in identifying workforce needs and connecting them to appropriate OED programs, community training programs and talent resources.

• Coordinate and implement workforce services, ensuring alignment with OED programs and regional workforce initiatives.
• Maintain knowledge of workforce training programs, education pathways, and support services available in the community.
• Collaborate with workforce partners to streamline referrals and improve service delivery.
• Identify gaps in services and recommend improvements to enhance access and outcomes.

• Track and maintain accurate data on individuals served, businesses assisted, referrals made, and outcomes achieved.
• Utilize databases and tracking systems to monitor performance metrics and service effectiveness.
• Develop monthly and annual reports summarizing program activity, outcomes, and impact.
• Analyze trends and data to inform program improvements and strategic decision-making.

• Represent OED at career fairs, community events, and workforce-related meetings.
• Assist in planning and implementing workforce events, workshops, and hiring initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, training providers, and community organizations.
• Promote OED workforce programs and services to jobseekers and businesses.

• Provide high-quality, responsive customer service to diverse populations, including individuals with barriers to employment.
• Collaborate with internal staff and external partners to coordinate services and share information.
• Resolve concerns and provide guidance to improve user experience and service delivery.

• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field AND at least 2 years of experience in Workforce Development, Economic Development, Career Coaching, Human Resources, or Employer Engagement or related area.

• Associates degree in a related field AND at least 4 years of experience in Workforce Development, Economic Development, Career Coaching, Human Resources, or Employer Engagement or related area.

• High School Diploma or GED AND at least 6 years of experience in Workforce Development, Economic Development, Career Coaching, Human Resources, or Employer Engagement or related area.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

• Knowledge of local or regional workforce systems and community resources.

• Knowledge of workforce development systems, employment services, and training programs.
• Understanding of barriers to employment and strategies to support diverse populations.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, processes, systems, conditions and/or support of and for the program participants.
• Thorough knowledge of office administrative practices and of applicable Federal, State, and local regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of program management, workflow development, and quality assurance practices.
• Knowledge of relevant internal and/or community partner agencies.
• Knowledge of databases and other methods to track data, performance measurements, and maintain accurate records.

• Intermediate: ability to read and understand regulations, policies, technical reports, journals, multi-step instruction manuals, and reference materials. Ability to research, compile, analyze, and interpret data, trends, and outcomes.

• Intermediate: ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, prepare business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Composes clear and accurate written communications including program SOPs, evaluation tools/findings, and written internal controls.

• Intermediate: ability to work with and understand number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement such as technical specifications, budget preparation and financial operations.

• Intermediate: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, clients, customers, city officials, and others. Ability to effectively communicate, and recommend, program policies and procedures. Ability to present information and data to a variety of audiences. Contact that may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas. Delivers responsive and high-quality customer service.

• Requires Limited Direction: normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Skill in the use of a variety of standard office machines and software packages. Intermediate skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.) and ability to effectively use agency systems and software.

• Completes research for documents, compiles data for computer entry, and/or enters or oversees data entry. Has responsibility for monitoring budget/fiscal expenditures (typically non-discretionary expenditures) for a program, activity, project or small organizational unit. May recommend budget allocations.

• Lead Worker: Guides, instructs, provides direction, assigns, and monitors work of others. May evaluate, or provides input on, program staff performance and of program service delivery and needs.

• Organization and time management skill, sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Frequent change of tasks, interruptions and requests for service.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Must work effectively with sensitive and confidential information or issues.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• May be required to work outside normal work schedule such as evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Remains in stationary position most of the time.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Ability to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• Depending on assignment, work may also occur in program participant home, facilities of other agencies, or court buildings; and may involve potentially uncomfortable settings or challenging circumstances.
• The noise level is usually moderate.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov.

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City’s policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City’s policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.