Workforce Development Specialist

• The Workforce Development Specialist is a frontline staff position responsible for the support of
• Growing Home’s Production Assistants (PAs) and Graduates. Two key functions of the position
• include executing strategies to ensure job placement and Job retention for all program trainees.
• In addition to job placement and job retention, the Workforce Development staff will provide
• support to the overall execution of the Employment Training (“ET”) program at Growing Home,
• Inc. The Workforce Development Specialist reports to the Director and works closely with a
• committed group of four other ET staff.

ABOUT GROWING HOME

• Growing Home is a non-profit urban farm and social enterprise in the Englewood neighborhood
• of Chicago. We serve our communities through local, healthy food access and robust workforce
• development that has pathways to sustainable careers. Our 12-week person-centered paid
• employment training program includes real work experience with transferable skills, a robust
• classroom curriculum, and holistic case management and support - all in-house. Our training
• program operates four cohorts over a calendar year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and cultivate long-term professional relationships with employers, placement

• agencies, and temporary agencies to ensure consistent contact for job leads. Make
• presentations to businesses within the Chicagoland area to promote Growing Home’s
• workforce development programs and to develop new employment opportunities for
• program PAs and graduates.

• Identify job opportunities and match employer and participant’s interests, needs, skills,

and experience.

• Make contact with employers (existing employer relationships, employer

• networks or associations, cold calls, online, and other workforce development
• programs)

• Coordinate with PAs and graduates to schedule interviews
• Follow-up on interviews with PAs and employer
• Develop and implement strategies aimed at helping graduates keep their jobs, including

but not limited to

• Weekly and Monthly in-person check-ins with jobholders
• Assist job holders in emergency support services (such as car repairs or child

care issues)

• support hiring managers with on-the-job issues
• Assist with employment readiness training, job search assistance, and obtaining

permanent, unsubsidized jobs in high-demand industries.

• Provide employment guidance and create individual employment plans that outline

participants’ employment objectives.

• With the support of the ET team, Coordinate and host engagement events for PAs,

graduates, and employer partners

Administrative

• Responsible for tracking and entering data in the Customer Relationship Management

• CRM (Salesforce) systems for all employment placements and retention data for PAs
• and graduates.

• Manage the programs Employee Retention Incentive program that gives cash incentives

to jobholders who successfully complete job retention at 30, 60, 90, and 180 days

• Ensure compliance with grants, contracts, agency, and programmatic standards that are

designed to meet PAs and graduates’' needs.

• Maintain and submit, placement reports, employer partnership agreements, success

• stories, calendars/flyers of upcoming events, employment/employer leads, and other
• required information.

• Observe and document participants' vocational assets and limitations, ability to engage

• in competitive employment, and need for and ability to benefit from supported
• employment, including natural supports.

• Utilizes a team approach and works with other program staff in the planning and

implementation of services.

• Takes increasing responsibility for own professional development, utilizing supervision

• and other developmental opportunities within and outside the agency to enhance skills
• and understanding.

• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to Growing Home’s mission and core values
• Demonstrated ability to build long-term relationships with a wide variety of

stakeholders in a positive, engaging manner

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong organizational and

time management skills, ability to lead projects, and problem-solve

• Experience working directly with marginalized populations
• Experience in classroom facilitation, skills training, and/or curriculum

development

• Strong computer skills, including using Microsoft Office (excel) and Google Docs.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends
• Some travel for meetings will be required. Must have an aptitude and willingness to

• navigate public transportation throughout the greater Chicago-area, or a valid driver’s
• license

• The ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree preferred. At least two years of experience in workforce
• development, Human Resources, sales, marketing, or a similar field

Equal Opportunity Employer

• Growing Home is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal
• opportunity employer. Growing Home does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
• origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status,
• or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to
• apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please email us at [email hidden].