Iowa Workforce Development is seeking applicants for the position of IowaWORKS Career Planner/Mobile Unit Driver at our IowaWORKS 200 Army Post Rd., Des Moines IA, office.
Agency Overview
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is a state agency committed to providing employment services for individual job seekers and to connecting employers to available workers through our IowaWORKS partnership.
Job Summary
This position, under the guidance of IowaWORKS senior leadership, is responsible for providing high-quality customer service through in-person and virtual interactions. Key duties include conducting eligibility assessments for specialized services, offering job referrals, and presenting IowaWORKS programs to job seekers and employers. The role also requires interpreting technical materials and engaging effectively with diverse populations. Additionally, as a Career Planner/Mobile Unit Driver, the individual will conduct vehicle safety inspections, maintain travel logs, and ensure the safety of passengers while performing Career Planner duties at various locations across Iowa.
Career Planner Responsibilities
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Greet every customer warmly and professionally as soon as they enter, following the center’s greeting standards and script.
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Always treat customers—both the public and coworkers—with courtesy, respect, and kindness.
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Ask helpful questions to understand what services the customer needs.
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Work well with coworkers and partners, building positive and respectful relationships.
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Support your team to create a better overall experience for customers.
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Share feedback and ideas for improvements with your team or leadership.
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Make sure Veterans receive priority service on their first visit.
Mobile Unit Driver Responsibilities
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Driving the mobile unit to various locations and understanding how to use maps for navigation.
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The mobile unit travels to IowaWORKS offices, job fairs, schools, community events, businesses, and other workforce-related locations.
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Setting up and maintaining the mobile unit, including leveling the vehicle, connecting power and generators, and setting up laptops, printers, and Wi-Fi.
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Troubleshooting basic technology issues, especially in areas with limited internet access.
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Ensuring the safety of the public by not allowing passengers during transit and maintaining safety while the unit is open to the public.
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Providing friendly and helpful customer service, as assisting the public is the primary goal of the mobile unit.
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Returning the unit to its storage garage in Des Moines each night after use.
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Cleaning and maintaining the unit after each trip, including checking tires, brakes, oil, and scheduling tune-ups.
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Keeping track of supplies and equipment, locking the garage securely, and recording mileage for every trip.
A positive attitude, strong communication skills, and a commitment to helping others are essential for this role.
Job Seeker Support
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Support and encourage job seekers through all parts of their job search.
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Help customers build the skills they need to get and keep a job.
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Assist with writing and customizing resumes and cover letters.
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Lead mock interviews and give feedback to help customers improve.
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Complete paperwork for programs and services offered by the team and partner organizations. Direct customers to the right workshops, job fairs, or hiring events.
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Lead workshops or one-on-one sessions, either in person or online.
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Keep workshop materials and presentations updated with the latest information.
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Record all services, meetings, and important details accurately in the system.
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Send and receive job-related documents for customers as needed.
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Assist customers by answering questions about available jobs, career options, and training programs.
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Help job seekers understand the steps needed to reach their employment goals.
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Use the IowaWORKS system to match job seekers with job openings that fit their skills and experience.
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Provide referrals to partner agencies and support services when additional help is needed, such as education, housing, or transportation resources.
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Share current labor market trends, such as in-demand jobs, wages, and hiring needs, to help job seekers make informed decisions.
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Support customers in creating or updating their IowaWORKS profiles to improve their job search success.
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Work closely with other staff and partners to ensure customers receive the best services available.
Business Service Representative
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Work directly with businesses to help them find and hire employees.
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Guide employers on how to use the IowaWORKS system to post jobs and search for candidates.
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Identify and reach out to new businesses that could benefit from IowaWORKS services.
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Help plan and carry out recruitment strategies and hiring events tailored to specific business needs.
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Stay in contact with both employers and job seekers to provide ongoing support after job placements.
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Use the case management system to track employer interactions and keep records up to date.
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Review, edit, and enter job postings and referrals into the IowaWORKS system to ensure accuracy.
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Build relationships with employers to learn about their hiring processes, workforce needs, and future job openings.
Unemployment and Re-employment Services
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Help unemployment claimants connect with re-employment services at the American Job Center.
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Assist with filing unemployment claims and answering related questions, following Iowa laws and UI rules.
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Review salary history and verify identity using database systems.
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Investigate and resolve issues on claims according to unemployment insurance laws.
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Provide information on the appeals process and participate in appeal hearings as needed.
Essential Functions
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Assess customers to see if they qualify for specific services or job referrals.
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Check the mobile unit before and after each trip to ensure it’s safe and ready to use.
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Keep everyone safe while using the mobile unit.
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Maintain accurate mileage logs and travel records; complete reports as needed.
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Meet with job seekers and employers to share information about IowaWORKS programs and services.
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Communicate well with people from all backgrounds and communities.
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Read and understand rules, policies, and technical information.
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Work effectively as part of a team.
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Use computers to collect, manage, and share information.
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Stay calm and perform well under pressure or during busy times.
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Handle multiple tasks and switch between them without losing focus or quality.
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Answer phone calls and use virtual platforms to assist customers in person or online.
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Deliver excellent customer service in career, business, and support areas.
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Greet visitors at the American Job Center and direct them to the right team or service.
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Monitor activity in customer areas and offer help when needed.
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Understand and apply Iowa laws and administrative rules in daily work.
Preferred applicants will have:
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Possession of a valid driver’s license is required. CDL preferred but not required.
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Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees may be required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and endorsements.
Benefits
Joining the IWD team and becoming a State of Iowa employee comes with a range of valuable benefits, including:
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Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance.
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Generous paid time off, including nine paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with no cap on sick leave accrual.
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Prepare for the future with the IPERS retirement package, as well as an additional optional deferred compensation retirement plan.
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Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
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Free Life and Long-term Disability Insurance with the option of purchasing additional coverage.
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Employee Assistance Programs and Discount Programs for support.
Click here to learn more about all of the amazing benefits the State of Iowa offers.
If you’re looking for a career with a well-respected organization that values its employees and customers, you’ve come to the right place!
Hours of work: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm with occasional hours/time outside of core hours, including travel.
E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal
Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.
No applicant seeking employment with the Iowa Department of Workforce Development can have a current, ongoing overpayment balance with Iowa Workforce Development without a payment plan in place. Select positions will be subject to a criminal background check.Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field.
2) Four years of full-time work experience in career services, teaching or training to improve skills, job coaching, providing human services to individuals in need, sales, customer service, call center operations, or human-resources-related services involving interviewing, reviewing job applications, conducting employment-related assessments, or job placement.
3) A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number two), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as a Workforce Associate.
