Please Note: This is an open-continuous recruitment, which means that applicants are reviewed in the order they are received.
Note: The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.
Note: King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.
Located in Seattle, Washington, this position becomes eligible for one day of hybrid remote work per week after the successful completion of training and achievement of performance standards. The remaining workdays are performed onsite at the WorkSource Rainier office to ensure strong customer engagement and service delivery.
The ideal candidate for the Employment Specialist 4 position is a dynamic, mission-driven workforce professional who thrives in a customer-centered environment and is deeply committed to helping individuals overcome barriers to employment. They bring a strong blend of analytical skill, cultural competence, and compassionate service, enabling them to deliver individualized employment and training services that make a meaningful impact in the community.
This candidate excels at conducting insightful assessments, managing complex caseloads, and providing above-basic-level services that support job seekers on their path to sustainable employment. They are equally comfortable working one-on-one with customers, facilitating group workshops, or representing WorkSource in community outreach settings.
About the Workforce Services Division:
Workforce Services Division (WSD) is made up of three Lines of Business: WorkSource, Central Operations System Support, and Washington Service Corps (WSC). WSD administers the Labor Exchange (LEX), Migrant Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW), Veterans Services, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), and WorkFirst and RESEA programs for job seekers and employers in Washington and provides job seekers with referrals to partners providing Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) adult, youth, and dislocated worker training and support services.
Your primary job duties will involve delivering high-quality employment and training services to WorkSource customers both inside the WorkSource Rainier office and out in the community. You will conduct individualized interviews, assess customer needs, determine program eligibility, and provide case management services that support customers in overcoming barriers to employment. You will also administer assessments, develop employment and training plans, and ensure accurate and timely documentation in accordance with state and federal requirements.
What a typical day looks like:
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Conduct individual interviews to explain program services, identify customer needs, and recommend next steps for continued engagement.
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Manage a diverse caseload by providing case management, coordinating support services, making referrals, and helping customers obtain required documentation.
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Identify and evaluate employment barriers and work with customers to explore solutions that support progress toward employment and training goals.
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Determine program eligibility, enroll customers, explain participation requirements, and develop employment and training contracts in alignment with regulations and assessment results.
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Administer assessments using formal and informal career tools; review results with customers and incorporate findings into individualized employment plans using relevant labor market information.
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Prepare and present information to customers to support informed decision-making about training, employment pathways, and available services.
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Monitor program performance using agency reporting systems; create and share reports as needed by supervisors and managers.
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Maintain accurate case documentation including case notes, service plans, expenditures, and exit outcomes in accordance with state and federal protocols.
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Enter and update data across multiple data management systems to ensure compliance and support program reporting.
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Coordinate with other programs to ensure customers receive integrated services and seamless support across WorkSource lines of business.
To request a detailed position description, click here.
Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:
Option 1:
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One year (1) as a WorkSource Specialist 3 within the Employment Security Department, or in an equivalent class with another state’s Employment Security agency.
Option 2:
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Three years (3) years of professional experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or professional public contact work.
Option 3:
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A combination of education and/or relevant experience equals three (3) or more years.
The required experience includes:
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Client-Centered Service Delivery: Needs assessment to evaluate client situations, goal setting to establish realistic objectives, case management to develop and oversee service plans, problem-solving to address barriers, and communication skills to guide and support clients effectively.
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Eligibility Assessment Expertise: Ability to evaluate and determine client qualifications.
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Employability Plan Development Expertise: Ability to structure personalized career growth strategies.
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Career Coaching and Follow-Up Expertise: Ability to provide ongoing workforce guidance.
Required equity competencies:
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
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Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.
Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.
Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.
Why work with us?
Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
Opportunity for All
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Lydia White or at 360-819-6996 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact [email protected] or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.
This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.
**This Organization Participates in E-Verify**
