Public Strategies Overview

Public Strategies (PS) is a nationally respected consulting, project management, and marketing firm based in Oklahoma City. We provide innovative solutions for federal, state, and local clients, including project and program management, training and technical assistance, technology, event management, research and evaluation, video production, and strategic communications. We also deliver research-informed direct services to financially vulnerable Oklahomans, with a focus on strengthening families and improving employment opportunities.

We are a collaborative team of thinkers, creatives, strategists, communicators, builders, researchers, and change agents committed to touching lives, driving change, and doing good well.

Position Summary

Work Ready Oklahoma (WRO) offers programs that serve a number of special population groups, including veterans, the historically unemployed or underemployed, individuals with a criminal background including those reentering communities from incarceration, incumbent workers, and low skilled or low-wage workers. Over the years, WRO has developed a reputation for and continues to demonstrate the value and efficacy of well-thought approaches to incorporating soft skills, vocational training, continuing education, job placement, job coaching and career advancement in ways that make obtaining consistent employment with a living wage more accessible. Additionally, WRO continuously looks for opportunities to innovate within the workforce development field and, where appropriate, develops and fosters social enterprises that include employment opportunities for the populations served and whose financial success can be reinvested in the services and resources needed to build the WRO model.

The Employment Development Specialist will be responsible for identifying and developing meaningful partnerships with remote and local businesses and employers for the Work Ready Oklahoma (WRO) statewide system. Work Ready Oklahoma is a joint effort of It's My Community Initiative (IMCI) and Public Strategies, to develop research-informed workforce solutions throughout Oklahoma. The Employment Development Specialist is a critical member of this team, identifying labor market trends, engaging employers in active partnerships, finding sustainable jobs for program participants and managing vital relationships that directly correlate to the program's long-term success.

Essential Job Functions

• Build dynamic relationships and learning communities among statewide partners invested in the local development of WRO Centers and the self-sufficiency of low-income individuals
• Work closely with virtual employment partners to identify employment opportunities and foster participant placement s statewide into virtual employment.
• Create and implement a comprehensive employment engagement strategy focused on researching and bringing virtual and remote employment opportunities with livable wages to WRO Statewide System partners
• Develop and oversee an employer virtual network with an array of business and industry representatives
• Engage employers in the design and execution of training programs, as appropriate, to ensure WRO is equipping job seekers with relevant, industry-required skills and certifications
• Collect job orders, assessment info, and details on employer requirements and skills to help match program participants with employment opportunities
• Conduct consistent follow-up with employers to ensure satisfaction, future partnership opportunities and employee retention
• Routinely use data and evidence-based practices to target sectors and employment partners to create appropriate career exploration activities and internships to prepare participants for successful job placement
• Regularly meet with team members to ensure appropriate information sharing on different employment opportunities, application processes, assessments, and employer expectations.
• Oversee regular recruiter calls, virtual employer database, and weekly Hot Jobs information and communication
• Monitor local and regional labor market trends and employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors
• Engage quality employment partners that understand the mission of WRO and are willing and eager to align their company objectives with the program objectives
• Input and maintain partner communication and employer engagement activity into MIS
• Support training and technical assistance to the Work Ready Oklahoma Statewide System teams
• Conduct regular calls with WRO statewide system sites to determine site level employment and partnering needs
• Develop and maintain relationships with industry partners, regional workforce and economic development professionals, and state and local agency leadership
• Develops TTA action plans, including objectives and benchmarks
• Delivers needs-based TTA, including but not limited to phone consultation, site visits and facilitation of peer-to-peer exchanges
• Develops, produces and facilitates webinars to include the creation of written tools and resources provided in ergo
• Conducts training and provides facilitation services, through TTA efforts and for direct service programs, including but not limited to assisting coaches in local implementation of online applications for virtual work
• Travel position is located in Oklahoma City with extensive driving and travel throughout Oklahoma on a weekly basis. Some overnight travel will be required.
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Training

• Bachelor's degree and/or related experience in Marketing, Public Relations, Business or other related field, required
• Will consider 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree

Experience

• Two years of proven experience marketing and representing a program and its services to stakeholders
• Two years of experience partnering with or employed by remote or virtual employers, required
• Two years of marketing, sales, job placement or workforce development experience, required
• Business Services, Workforce Development, and Economic Development experience preferred
• Distance learning and/or Webinar delivery, preferred

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Utilize time management techniques to organize and prioritize work, meeting timelines/deadlines
• Knowledge of the demand-driven approach to employment services, job development strategies and labor market trends in a range of occupational fields, preferred proven experience managing business and community relationships to achieve objectives
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve project goals
• Knowledge of workforce development strategies, job development techniques, and labor market trends preferred.
• Familiar with WIOA Services goals and outcomes; Statewide Workforce Services and Statewide network
• Experienced in Data Management & Customer Relationship Management strategies and tools.
• Frequent travel statewide, including overnight
• Maintain a valid Driver's License
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, evenings, and some weekends, as needed