Talent Development Specialist

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) exists to break the cycle of poverty and inequity through education, job training, and employment. Our vision to strengthen the workforce by serving as a bridge to economic opportunity for individuals in underserved communities is critical for economic recovery. Through our skills-based training, education, and direct job placement, we build upward economic mobility for out-of-school and unemployed youth and adults and provide the skills necessary to gain a competitive edge in the job market. Through our principles of accountability, confidence, and professionalism, we emphasize Values of Integrity-Respecting our commitments, personally and professionally, Excellence-Pushing one another to be our very best and Empowerment-Positive change begins with us. Our commitment to fostering and maintaining a work environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are woven into our organizational DNA.

Diversity & Racial Equity Mission Statement: We recognize that structural racism, discrimination, systems of power, and other forms of oppression, give privilege and access to resources, lead to inequities, and have contributed to persistent disparities.  OBT is on an intentional journey to champion and operationalize the values of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion into our organization and the communities we serve. We strive to sustain a culture where all individuals can thrive and feel a sense of belonging, especially those whose voices and experiences have been historically marginalized. We commit our work to breaking oppressive barriers and serving as a bridge to sustainable economic opportunities that will build and strengthen an equitable workforce.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility & Belonging (DEIA&B) Statement: We value individual differences and the benefits diversity and inclusion bring to our organization. It enables us to effectively grow by developing respected representation in the communities OBT serves while giving back through our personal experiences and efforts thereby adding immediate value. We understand that diversity is not simply about people who represent the full spectrum or ethnicities, national origins, ages, sexual orientation, gender identity, beliefs, religions and faith, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and levels of physical ability; it also involves our ability to being open-minded and creating balance within OBT as an organization. Within our diversified workforce, we see our differences as assets, not liabilities and intentionally prioritize methods to enhance our DEIA&B journey. OBT realizes that diversity is an important issue for our organization, but we also realize that it is not enough to hire people with the differences mentioned above. Everyone needs to feel like they are truly welcome, safe and free to be themselves in the workplace. We are establishing a sense of belonging and inclusion, so we can ensure that all employees, regardless of their background and experiences, are connected with equal opportunities and create a healthier, more successful future together.

Position Summary:

Reporting directly to the Director of Adult Programs. The Talent Development Specialist will provide continued support to the community in need of employment. They will also need to ensure that weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly targets are met. This person will help create and execute strategies that will enable them to create employer partner portfolios, recruitment plans, and data entry efficiencies. This role is instrumental to the organization as it sets our participants up for success to ensure OBT meets its contractual obligations regarding employment outcomes.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Meet with director on a minimally bi-weekly basis to ensure metrics and targets are being met.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of participants designed to evaluate work history, education, job skills, personal qualifications, support service needs and vocational interests.
• Develop individual employability plans designed to assist each participant in determining appropriate steps toward meeting employment, training, and educational goals.
• Meet individually with clients to assist them in all facets of their employability plan from resume development, interview prep, to job placement steps and retention work.
• Develop partnerships with employers who are seeking candidates that match our job seekers relative to education, experience, and skills. Develop job orders in concert with these employer partners and make appropriate job placement referrals of participants to employer partners.
• Counsel participants on viable employment and other vocational options and provide current labor market information. Discuss the need to seek employment in a field adjacent to their interests but allow for the application of transferable knowledge and skills.
• Assist the Outreach team and Director of Adult Programs with community outreach and program promotional activities like attending job fairs or other networking events.
• Work with employment team from youth employment contracts when and where current job orders make that possible.
• Maintain case files (both automated and paper) for each participant assessed in accordance with contractual expectations.  Ensure files are always audit ready.
• Perform all other appropriate duties assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of participants with different obstacles to employment.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with program participants, employers, and other CBOs.
• Ability to maintain a job bank consisting of quality positions
• Ability to meet job placement quotas on a consistent basis.

Education and Experience/Training:

• Four years relevant work experience required.
• Proficiency in computer systems necessary.
• Bilingual – Spanish strongly preferred.

Other Qualifications:  These are the skills & attributes that all OBT employees need in order to meet the expectations of each other, our participants, and our partners.

Communicate with Clarity – Be clear, concise, and actionable. Be relentlessly constructive. Seek and provide meaningful feedback.

Work with Purpose – Exhibit a “We Can” mindset. Results outweigh effort. Everyone understands how their role contributes. Set aside personal objectives for team results.

Drive to Decision – Cut the swirl with defined deadlines and decision points. Be clear on individual accountability and decision authority. Guided by a commitment to and accountability for mission outcomes.

Own the Outcome – Defined milestones, commitments and intended results. Assess your work in context, if you’re unsure, ask. Demonstrate unwavering support for decisions.

Work with Purpose – Exhibit a “We Can” mindset. Results outweigh effort. Everyone understands how their role contributes. Set aside personal objectives for team results. 

Drive to Decision – Cut the swirl with defined deadlines and decision points. Be clear on individual accountability and decision authority. Guided by a commitment to and accountability for mission outcomes. 

Own the Outcome – Defined milestones, commitments and intended results. Assess your work in context, if you’re unsure, ask. Demonstrate unwavering support for decisions. 

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to HR@obtjobs.org
In the subject line, include the job title of the desired position.