Career Specialist, Workforce Development

Job Summary

The Career Specialist, Workforce Development is essential role in Drexel University's workforce and adult education portfolio. The Career Specialist will assist participants in their journey during training and post training through employment placement. This role will help participants identify career paths, develop actionable career plans, improve job search strategies, and build necessary skills for career advancement. The ideal candidate will be passionate about helping others, have strong interpersonal skills, and possess a deep understanding of the labor market and career development strategies for adult learners who are enrolled and graduate from apprenticeships and training programs that connect to employment.

This is a grant-funded position through October 2026 with possibility for extension.

Essential Functions

• Provide case management and personalized support to adults enrolled in apprenticeships and workforce development training programs.
• Track participant and alumni employment placement outcomes and provide regular reports.
• Engage and build relationships with local and employer partners to identify current openings.
• Conduct regular one-on-one coaching sessions to evaluate participant progress, identify challenges, and provide targeted strategies and resources to overcome obstacles to employment.
• Foster a positive and inclusive environment that promotes success and achievement.
• Administer job readiness practice tests to prepare participants for job assessment tests.
• Identify and connect participants with appropriate resources to address individual needs and overcome barriers to success and completion of training programs.
• Facilitate mock interviews, resume reviews, and group workshops on job readiness skills, such as career planning, networking, workplace professionalism, and communication.
• Provide individualized career coaching and guidance to participants, helping them set and achieve employment and career development goals.
• Engage with program alumni to support on the job professional development and retention.
• Support expected grant outcomes including placement into industry specific employment, general employment or other post-secondary goals.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  
  
  
  • Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.
  
  
  
  
• Minimum of 3 years of related professional experience in adult education, workforce development, student support services, career counseling, and/or coaching.
• Understanding of the Philadelphia workforce development ecosystem including employers, job seekers, and organizations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a knowledge of community resources and services.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Proven skills in handling detailed tasks and multiple assignments.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, knowledge, and skills for working with issues of power, privilege, identity, racial equity, and cultural humility.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Knowledge of employment assessments and personality tests.
• Ability to document and track key workforce participant outcomes including detailed case notes, monthly and quarterly reports, and external referrals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coaching, workforce development and other related industry certifications.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends if needed.

Location

• University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade J. Compensation for this grade ranges from $47,490 - $71,230 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.