Workforce Development Specialist

Job Summary: 

The Southeastern Regional Development Agency (SERDA) is looking to hire a workforce development specialist in their planning division through the Southeastern Entrepreneurial Network (SEEN) program. The employee in this position will act as a liaison between SEEN and the business community by providing personalized services to employers and the southeastern Utah community. The hired individual will integrate services with industry councils, focus demand driven needs of the local economy, communicate services and goals to community partners and organize and gather labor market information. The workforce development specialist must identify key partners in industry and education, work in tandem with partners to foster economic development, as well as contact new and established employers to promote the services and programs available throughout the community and SEEN. 

Duties / Responsibilities: 

• Oversee an Entrepreneurial Loan Fund (ELF), ensuring alignment with established goals and objectives including conducting monitoring and evaluation efforts
• Coordinate coaching and mentorship to participating ELF businesses, helping them navigate challenges, optimize operations, and achieve sustainable growth
• Job development in support of targeted populations (Vets, generational welfare, offenders, at risk youth, work success participants)
• Coordinating and collaborating with workforce development operational staff to implement programs and processes while ensuring program and policy compliance required by federal and state mandates
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support the expansion and sustainability of the ELF program, preparing grant applications and manage awarded funds in compliance with all regulations
• Administer associated grants with the program and report needed information and data to relevant parties. Including but not limited to: data collection, quarterly progress reports, surveys, and more
• Review policy drafts, program changes and making evidence-based recommendations and make appropriate written documents
• Facilitate and coordinate training sessions and workshops for SERDA employees, business owners, and regional community members covering a range of business or related topics
• Monitor and evaluate operations, programs, processes and/or practices for quality and effectiveness and making recommendations for improvements
• Act as a facilitator in problem solving situations by answering questions, providing information and technical support
• Communicate and advise service area management in the area of program responsibility, identifying implementation issues regarding compliance with federal and/or state laws, regulations and/or agency rules, standards and guidelines
• Developing and designing service area training/instructional materials, skills, reviews, monitoring tools and evaluations
• Analyzing, summarizing and/or reviewing data, reporting findings, interpreting results and making recommendations
• Helping resolve differences, conflicts or complaints
• Provide service area labor exchange technical and/or program training, curriculum development and ongoing assessment
• Other administrative duties as required and assigned

Required Skills / Abilities: 

• Coordination and team management skills activities or tasks of people, groups and/or organizations
• Exhibits professional behavior and provides exceptional customer service
• Demonstrable experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or low-income and experience working with service providers in the homeless community
• Able to keep an efficient and organized workspace and schedule, meeting different time scale demands 
• Knowledge of small business financing, underwriting, and community development programs
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local government procedures and regulations
• Demonstrated verbal communication skills including experience responding clearly and tactfully to technical inquiries from stakeholders and the public
• Demonstrated experience in gathering, maintaining, analyzing data and developing formal written reports for professional and community audiences
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Google Workspace, and other common computer software programs (e.g., Zoom, Google Meets, etc.) 

Education / Experience: 

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, marketing, communications or similar) or equivalent work experience
• Demonstrable knowledge of the Utah labor market, economic development conditions, employer workforce needs and human resource rules and regulations
• A minimum of 2 years of sales, marketing experience and public speaking skills
• Knowledge of SERDA, Southeastern Utah,  community resources and services

Physical Requirements: 

• Primarily office‐based work, with regular travel to project sites, city/county offices, and stakeholder meetings throughout Utah
• Occasional evening or weekend meetings may be required (public hearings, workshops)
• Some site conditions may include visiting construction or infrastructure improvement projects
• Drug screen and background check will be completed upon hiring 

Salary : $50,000