Veteran Workforce Development Specialist

Pay Range: $19.02hr - $24.02hr

Job Overview:

The Specialist will serve as a liaison between the organization and the business community, working to increase veteran hiring, strengthen employer participation, create meaningful employment pathways, and bolster the Veteran Ready Business Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the statewide expansion, promotion, and implementation of the Veteran Ready Business Program.
• Develop and execute a strategic employer recruitment plan to increase participation among businesses of all sizes and industries.
• Establish relationships with chambers of commerce, industry associations, economic development organizations, and business leaders to promote veteran-inclusive hiring.
• Coordinate the application, onboarding, training, and recognition processes for participating Veteran Ready Businesses.
• Promote employer participation in military-focused workforce training and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) pledge.
• Develop strategies to encourage participating employers to actively recruit, hire, and retain veterans.
• Establish measurable annual goals for employer enrollment, geographic expansion, and veteran employment outcomes.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with participating businesses to ensure sustained engagement and identify additional hiring opportunities.
• Identify, recruit, and establish partnerships with employers in high-demand industries, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, technology, construction, transportation, and professional services.
• Serve as the primary business engagement representative for veteran employment initiatives.
• Conduct employer outreach, business meetings, workforce presentations, and recruitment events to promote the value of hiring veterans.
• Collaborate with economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, and workforce organizations to integrate veteran employment into broader economic development initiatives.
• Develop partnerships that support veteran apprenticeships, internships, on-the-job training, and career advancement.
• Create opportunities for businesses to participate in veteran-focused hiring events, networking opportunities, and workforce initiatives.
• Assist employers in understanding military experience, transferable skills, and the benefits of employing veterans.
• Identify barriers to veteran employment and recommend strategies to improve hiring, retention, and career advancement outcomes.
• Develop and maintain a statewide database of employer partners, Veteran Ready Businesses, hiring opportunities, and business engagement activities.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports highlighting employer engagement activities, program growth, and companies enrolled as VRBs.
• Identify opportunities to improve program operations, strengthen employer participation, and expand statewide reach.
• Assist the VEET Director in developing strategic initiatives, program goals, and recommendations to improve veteran workforce outcomes.
• Represent the organization at business conferences, workforce development meetings, veteran hiring events, and community engagement activities.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of state and federal veteran programs, services, and benefits.
• Knowledge of VA educational benefits and processes.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with the veteran community or service members.
• Prior military service is preferred, but not required.

Requirements:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Associate's degree in business or a related field.
• Ability to multitask and problem solve independently.
• Strong skills and proficiency in MS Office applications.
• Technically savvy utilizing various platforms.
• Proficiency with data entry.
• Ability to travel across the Commonwealth for weekly community events as needed.

Due to nature of job The candidate must have Ability to lift 50 lbs.