Lead Workforce Development Specialist
Career Team · McKinney, Texas, United States
Career Team is a leading workforce development organization on a mission to transform lives. We blend cutting-edge technology with compassionate, high-touch services to drive real, measurable outcomes in the lives of job seekers across the country. At Career Team, we’re solving today’s unemployment challenges with smart software, world-class trainers, dedicated case managers, dynamic job developers, and innovative partners. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe in the power of technology to transform lives, you’ll feel right at home here.
Job title: Workforce Development Specialist - Lead
Reports To: Business Services Manager
Location: North Central Texas
Employment Type: Full-Time Exempt Employee
The Workforce Development Specialist Lead (ES) provides day-to-day operational leadership and guidance for Workforce Development Specialists delivering Employer Services under the Wagner-Peyser Act. This role serves as the primary point of contact for center staff, supports service delivery excellence, monitors performance and compliance, coordinates workflow, and assists management in ensuring quality workforce services to employers and job seekers.
The Lead role is responsible for fostering a collaborative team environment, promoting operational consistency, providing coaching and training, and supporting achievement of workforce performance goals while maintaining direct service responsibilities as needed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and Operational Support
- Serve as the primary point of contact for Workforce Development Specialists within the workforce center.
- Coordinate daily workforce development activities to ensure efficient and effective delivery of services.
- Monitor workflow and staff coverage to ensure customer service needs are met.
- Provide guidance, coaching, and support to staff regarding policies, procedures, systems, and service delivery.
- Assist management with onboarding and training new employees.
- Reinforce expectations related to performance measures, compliance, documentation, and customer service standards.
- Monitor staff adherence to operational procedures and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Resolve routine operational issues and customer concerns promptly and professionally.
- Escalate complex customer, employer, staff, or compliance issues to leadership as appropriate.
- Lead team meetings, huddles, and information-sharing activities as assigned.
- Support implementation of workforce initiatives, special projects, and new program requirements.
- Serve as a backup resource for staff and provide technical assistance in Work In Texas and related systems.
Employer Services Responsibilities
In addition to leadership responsibilities, perform Workforce Development Specialist duties, including:
- Establish and maintain professional business relationships with employers and industry partners.
- Conduct outreach to employers to identify hiring needs and workforce solutions.
- Assist employers with WorkInTexas.com registration and job order management.
- Recruit, screen, and refer qualified job seekers to employment opportunities.
- Plan and coordinate hiring events, job fairs, and recruitment activities.
- Deliver presentations to employers, community organizations, and workforce customers.
- Promote workforce programs, including On-the-Job Training (OJT), Subsidized Work Experience (SWE), Transitional Jobs (TJ), and other workforce initiatives.
- Conduct employer follow-up and customer satisfaction activities.
- Support work-based learning opportunities and employer engagement efforts.
Compliance and Performance Accountability
- Monitor case documentation, service records, and data entry activities to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Assist management in reviewing reports and tracking performance outcomes.
- Support oversight of TTA, STARR, RESEA, claimant follow-up activities, and other required workforce initiatives.
- Ensure timely collection and maintenance of required documentation.
- Promote adherence to federal, state, and local workforce policies and procedures.
- Assist with monitoring preparation, corrective actions, and quality assurance reviews.
- Ensure confidentiality and security of customer information.
Team Development
- Provide peer coaching and mentoring to workforce staff.
- Share best practices and promote continuous improvement.
- Foster teamwork, accountability, and a positive customer-focused culture.
- Encourage innovation and problem-solving to improve workforce outcomes.
Other Duties
- Approach each day and task with a "ZAG" mindset.
- Perform other duties assigned consistent with the responsibilities of the position and organizational needs.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- Minimum of three years of experience in workforce development, recruiting, employer engagement, case management, human resources, social services, or related field.
- Minimum of one year of demonstrated leadership, mentoring, team lead, project lead, or supervisory experience preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of workforce programs, business services, and labor market information.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building skills.
- Ability to effectively coordinate staff activities and prioritize competing demands.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Strong customer service and conflict-resolution abilities.
- Knowledge of Wagner-Peyser programs, workforce regulations, and service delivery requirements.
- Ability to analyze reports, identify trends, and recommend operational improvements.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and workforce management systems.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to work independently while supporting collaborative team success.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bilingual or multilingual.
- Experience with workforce center operations.
- Experience conducting staff training and quality reviews.
- Training in Trauma-Informed Care, evidence-based practices, or whole-family services.
Salary: $54,000-$56,000
Travel: 25% within and outside the designated worksite.
About Career Team:
Founded in 1996, Career Team, LLC is a private workforce development organization.
Career Team’s outstanding record of accelerating the human condition has resulted in numerous honors:
- Named by Inc. Magazine as one of America's 500 fastest growing privately held companies
- Recipient of the US Chamber of Commerce Blue Chip Enterprise Award for innovation
- Featured by 60 Minutes, CNN, Money Magazine, Inc. Magazine and the British Broadcasting Network as an innovative, government funded solutions program
- Invited to the White House after being cited by the National Welfare-to-Work Partnership and National Alliance of Business as a top 10 US training provider
As a socially conscious organization, Career Team has found a healthy balance between for-profit innovation and community enrichment. Looking ahead, the organization will continue to close the nation’s opportunity divide with additional government-funded workforce sites; while also building staff capacity of workforce funding sources and industry providers. See www.careerteam.com for more information.
Career Team is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
Background Check Requirements. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check (including criminal, prior employment and education verification). Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applican