Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Employment Services Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Employment Services Coordinator is a client-facing workforce development professional who delivers comprehensive employment services, coordinates job-readiness programming, develops employer partnerships, and manages case loads to support sustainable job placement and career progression for job seekers. This role blends case management, labor-market analysis, employer outreach, and data-driven reporting to meet program goals and funder performance metrics.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Career Navigator / Job Developer (entry-level)
Case Manager or Social Services Specialist
Workforce Program Assistant or Employment Specialist

Advancement To:

Senior Employment Services Coordinator / Program Supervisor
Workforce Development Manager / Program Manager
Employer Engagement Director or Career Services Director

Lateral Moves:

Job Developer / Employer Relations Specialist
Career Counselor or Training Coordinator
Grant-funded Program Coordinator (WIOA, TANF, SNAP E&T)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive intake assessments and eligibility screenings for employment program participants, documenting employment barriers, skills, work history, education, and career goals to create individualized employment plans (IEPs) that align with funder requirements and client aspirations.
Provide one-on-one career coaching and employment counseling, delivering tailored job search strategies, resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, and job readiness training to improve placement and retention outcomes.
Manage a caseload of job seekers, maintaining accurate case notes, action plans, follow-up schedules and progress tracking in the agency’s case management or CRM system to ensure compliance with program targets and audit requirements.
Develop and deliver workshops and group training sessions on topics such as resume writing, interviewing skills, workplace etiquette, digital literacy, job search techniques, and soft skills to increase participant readiness for employment.
Build and sustain relationships with local employers, human resources professionals, and hiring managers to identify job leads, apprenticeships, internships, and customized hiring pipelines that match participant skills and employer needs.
Negotiate job placements, wage expectations, reasonable accommodations, and on-the-job supports with employers to maximize successful placements and reduce time-to-hire while protecting participant interests.
Coordinate supportive services and referrals (transportation, childcare, training subsidies, mental health, housing assistance) by linking participants to internal resources and external community partners to remove barriers to employment.
Monitor participant progress through follow-up and retention services, providing post-placement support, troubleshooting workplace issues, and conducting retention outreach at key milestones (30/60/90 days and beyond).
Track and report participant outcomes, placement rates, retention, wages, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) in accordance with funder and organizational reporting cycles, using those insights to drive program improvements.
Design and implement employer engagement strategies including targeted outreach campaigns, employer roundtables, hiring events, job fairs, and sector-based partnerships to expand job opportunities for clients.
Facilitate job development activities such as targeted recruitment, candidate screening, and matching based on employer requirements and participant qualifications, including arranging employer interviews and on-site hiring events.
Coordinate vocational training and upskilling programs by collaborating with training providers, community colleges, and apprenticeship sponsors to align curricula with current labor market demand.
Maintain thorough knowledge of local labor market trends, in-demand skills, living wage thresholds, and industry hiring practices to inform career planning and employer outreach.
Ensure client confidentiality and adherence to program, agency, and funder policies (including WIOA, TANF, VR or other funding streams), completing timely documentation, consent forms, and data entry for audits and quality assurance.
Implement individualized work experience, paid internships, and transitional work assignments, supervising participant performance and evaluating effectiveness as a pathway to permanent employment.
Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruitment and placement strategies by actively seeking employers who provide equitable hiring practices and by supporting participants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
Coordinate with internal teams (training, benefits, finance, data) to secure incentives, wage subsidies, on-the-job training reimbursements, and to manage program budgets related to participant supports and employer partnerships.
Prepare participant-facing materials, marketing collateral, and digital postings for job boards and social channels to promote job opportunities, training sessions, and program services with strong SEO-friendly language and ATS-optimized job descriptions.
Conduct regular outreach to community organizations, probation/parole officers, schools, and partner agencies to recruit participants, expand referral networks, and maintain warm handoffs for integrated service delivery.
Lead and participate in case conferences and multidisciplinary team meetings to review complex cases, share best practices, and develop coordinated service plans that improve employment outcomes.
Maintain flexibility to support virtual and in-person service delivery, including remote coaching sessions, hybrid workshops, and community-based outreach to meet participant needs where they are.

Secondary Functions

Produce monthly and quarterly reports for supervisors and funders, synthesizing quantitative outcomes and qualitative success stories to support program evaluation and continuous improvement.
Assist in grant reporting, data validation, and compliance preparedness by compiling documentation, supporting audits, and recommending process improvements to ensure contract compliance.
Contribute to the development and continuous refinement of program materials, SOPs, and training guides to standardize high-quality service delivery across the team.
Represent the organization at community workforce development events, employer advisory boards, and collaborative initiatives to strengthen local workforce systems and referral pathways.
Provide mentorship and on-the-job training for new Employment Services team members or interns, sharing tools, templates, and best practices to accelerate onboarding success.
Support program recruitment efforts by designing outreach strategies, informational sessions, and application assistance to maintain steady participant enrollment aligned with funding targets.
Identify system-level barriers and recommend policy or process changes to increase participant access to employment services and improve organizational outcomes.
Participate in quality improvement projects and pilot new service models (sectoral hiring models, remote job readiness curricula) that enhance scalability and impact.
Maintain and update participant resource directories and employer contact lists, ensuring timely and relevant referrals for participants seeking specialized supports or industry-specific opportunities.
Assist with scheduling and logistics for large-scale hiring events, coordinating employer booths, participant preparation sessions, and post-event follow-up to maximize hire rates.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Case management and participant tracking using CRM or case management platforms (e.g., Efforts to Outcomes, CaseWorthy, Salesforce, Apricot, or equivalent).
Applicant screening, resume review, and interview preparation expertise with the ability to craft ATS-friendly resumes and job applications.
Employer outreach and job development techniques, including cold-calling employers, creating employer value propositions, and negotiating hiring incentives.
Data entry, reporting and KPI analysis using Excel, Google Sheets, and basic data visualization tools to monitor placements, retention, and wage outcomes.
Familiarity with workforce funding streams, program eligibility rules, and compliance requirements (e.g., WIOA, TANF, SNAP E&T, vocational rehabilitation).
Experience coordinating supportive service referrals and managing vendor relationships for training, transportation, and childcare assistance.
Knowledge of labor market information systems and resources (e.g., O*NET, state labor market sites) to align participant skills with in-demand occupations.
Event planning and logistics for job fairs, employer panels, and hiring events, including outreach, registration, and post-event follow-up workflows.
Proficiency with productivity and communication tools (Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, Zoom, Teams) and basic digital literacy coaching for participants.
Basic grant reporting and documentation skills to prepare funder deliverables and support audit requests.

Soft Skills

Strong interpersonal communication and active listening skills to build rapport with participants, employers, and partner organizations.
Empathetic coaching and motivational interviewing techniques to support behavioral change, goal-setting, and sustained employment outcomes.
Excellent organizational skills, time management, and the ability to prioritize a dynamic caseload while meeting deadlines and reporting requirements.
Problem-solving and critical thinking to design individualized employment plans that navigate complex barriers and employer requirements.
Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced environment with frequent changes in funding, employer demand, and participant needs.
Relationship-building and negotiation skills to secure job opportunities, workplace accommodations, and employer buy-in.
Cultural competency and commitment to equity, able to serve diverse populations with sensitivity to trauma, disability, and systemic barriers.
Attention to detail for accurate documentation, eligibility verification, and compliance with program policies.
Team collaboration and capacity to work cross-functionally with training providers, social service agencies, and program administrators.
Self-motivation and initiative to pursue employer leads, develop new partnerships, and continuously improve service delivery.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Business Administration, Human Resources, Education, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Work
Human Services
Workforce Development / Labor Studies
Human Resources / Business Administration
Counseling or Career Development

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of direct experience in employment services, job development, case management, workforce development, or related human services roles.

Preferred:

3+ years in workforce development, WIOA-funded programs, vocational rehabilitation, or employer engagement with demonstrable placement and retention outcomes.
Experience working with diverse populations and demonstrated success coordinating supportive services and employer partnerships.