Employment Specialist at Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington in Bellingham, Washington

Job Description:

About Evergreen Goodwill

Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1923 that helps people get jobs across Northwest Washington by offering high-quality free job training, education and job placement. Goodwill empowers individuals to overcome barriers to working, by providing comprehensive support and connecting them with life changing job opportunities, ensuring they are career-ready and can support themselves and their families.

The organization employs over 2,000 people, operates five job-training centers, 23 nonprofit retail stores and more than 27 donation sites in King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Kitsap Counties. Every day, Evergreen Goodwill connects people with the jobs, services and skills they need - because Jobs Change Lives. We are committed to creating and sustaining a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion (DEI) and are focused on creating a joyful, inclusive and successful organization.

Job Title : Employment Specialist

Salary Range: $52,000-55,000

Location: Whatcom County

About the Position

The Employment Specialist is responsible for providing job placement services to students enrolled in Evergreen Goodwill's Job Training & Education (JTE) Programs. This position will assist with planning, developing and implementing strategies to achieve a wide range of employment opportunities for a diverse population.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

• Provide individual job search and placement assistance to current students and past graduates, following up for one year after employment to track and support job retention.
• Facilitate one-on-one sessions, employment-based workshops and classes around job search, resume building, cover letters, and other job-related subjects.
• Provide effective job search tools to assist students with their employment goals, while remaining apprised of job boards and resource tools.
• With the Employment Partnership Manager, maintain relationships with area employers and affiliated organizations to increase student employment opportunities and maintain the labor-market relevance of Goodwill programs.
• Under the direction of the Employment Partnership Manager, identify the hiring needs of employer partners and connect students to open positions.


• Responsible to support, advance, and contribute to a DEI framework.
• Coordinate mock interviews/interview practice for students.
• Work with the JTE Centers, including Employment Specialists, Case Managers, Instructors, and Center Managers, to ensure integration of services to meet student needs and goals.


• Maintain a caseload of job seekers and those in retention; track and record job search and employment data via web-based case management platform.
• Responsible for meeting annual placement targets.
• Collaborate with students, staff and managers to purposefully work to implement student-centered initiatives.
• Attend required meetings, trainings and develop and deliver presentations.
• Demonstrates safe work practices through awareness and observation in support of a safety culture; reports any potential hazards or accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions .

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Business or related field or equivalent combination of experience and education. However, lived experience and international experience considered in lieu of more traditional, U.S. achieved credentials.
• Minimum two (2) years' experience providing job placement services, previous experience as a Hiring Manager preferred. Knowledge of local businesses and hiring opportunities. Multi-lingual a plus. Skilled at interview prep, mock interviewing, and multiple format resume development. Ability to communicate and work effectively with students from a variety of economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, physical and mental abilities and sexual orientations and those with limited English skills. Knowledge of local labor market trends. Experience with remote service delivery a plus. Must demonstrate a high level of commitment to equity and non-discrimination in practice and execution of duties.
• Ability to always practice confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to make good decisions without on-site supervision.
• Remote and occasional evening and weekend work required.
• Must be able to meet travel requirements of up to 25% of work time locally and statewide.

• CPR/First Aid certification preferred.
• Must have valid driver's license and proof of insurance.

• Highly proficient with web-based applications (Google Workspace), video conferencing, case management software, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to learn new technology and software as related to the job.

Physical Demands :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required sit for long periods of time, communicate with other employees by talking and hearing and to operate computer systems. Able to safely lift/push/pull up to 25 lbs., grasp, handle, finger and manipulate items; perform repetitive fine motor functions with fingers, wrists, and arms, standing for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Able to communicate with others effectively both verbally and written, including those who have limited English skills. Maintain reliable attendance.

Essential Mental/Sensory Abilities :

• Problem solving
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Time management
• Multiple deadlines
• Prioritization

Work Environment:

Office/classroom environment; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Must have reliable transportation, as this position requires travel to offsite meetings and events.

Everyone Is Welcome

When you join Evergreen Goodwill, you join a truly vibrant community. We value the things that make us different and unique. From diverse international and ethnic backgrounds, to languages, identities, ages, orientations, and beyond, Evergreen Goodwill celebrates individual and cultural diversity.

Why work at Evergreen Goodwill?

• A health plan that includes medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage

• 100% Employer-paid life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and long term disability insurance (for salaried employee)

• Voluntary supplemental coverage for life, accident, illness, and short- and long-term disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Plan

• Roth and 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan program

• Paid vacation, (9) holiday and sick time

• Limited paid time off for Jury Duty and Bereavement Leave

• Employee discounts

• Employee referral bonus

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Mentorship Program

• Career Advancement Opportunities

• Paid Job Training

EEO Statement: Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or other protected characteristics in accordance with applicable law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, compensation, benefits, and termination.

This document does not represent a contract of employment, and EGNW reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as EGNW may deem appropriate .

Job Family: Mission

Pay Type: Salary
Min Hiring Rate: $52,000.00
Max Hiring Rate: $55,000.00