Business Engagement Liaison WIOA

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania and North Central West Virginia is a nonprofit organization that funds job training, education, and other community programs by selling donated clothing and household items in Goodwill stores and online. We offer life-changing work on a mission-minded team. We are 1,000 working as one, and each of us is essential to helping our community thrive. For three years running, Goodwill has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s “Most Inspiring Companies”.

We offer a wide range of career opportunities from entry level to management in retail, human services, and administrative fields. Learn more about working at Goodwill. You can help. We can show you how.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is federal legislation that was created to strengthen and improve the US workforce. WIOA functions as a funding stream for workforce development programs that serve individuals with barriers to employment at the state and local level. WIOA programs help job seekers succeed in their local labor market by providing supportive services, training, and education needed to find and retain meaningful employment. WIOA also supports local labor markets funding programs that match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Business Engagement Liaison, WIOA is responsible for planning and conducting outreach, education, and relationship-building activities to engage employers in support of Goodwill’s Adult Career Services programmatic goals. The primary focus of this role is to establish and maintain strong employer relationships that support job placements, work-based learning opportunities, and other mutually beneficial workforce initiatives for Adult Career Services programming, while also collaborating on broader divisional initiatives as needed. This position identifies training and employment opportunities for job seekers enrolled in Adult Career Services (WIOA) and collaborates closely with internal service areas to ensure successful outcomes for both participants and employers. The Liaison promotes Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s workforce services, supports recruitment and hiring efforts, and contributes to system-wide employer engagement strategies while adhering to WIOA, Partner4Work, and PA CareerLink® policies. A strong ability to collaborate across teams is critical for mission fulfillment and individuals’ success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Included but not limited to:

Relationship Management:

• Conduct outreach, establish, and maintain relationships with employers, agencies, and organizations in the community to meet the needs of the agency’s Adult WIOA programs and services.


• Maintain up to date information regarding local and national labor market and employment trends, changes in training, recruitment, employer expectations, and other external situations that could impact the labor market.


• Participate in continuous quality improvement efforts using key performance indicators, satisfaction feedback, and other input and outcomes data.

Development:

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local labor market and trends to identify appropriate employment, work-based learning, and partnership opportunities.


• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of Adult WIOA Workforce programming and contractual requirements to ensure the ability to meet the needs of program participants and other stakeholders.


• Conduct internal and external outreach, in conjunction with the Business Engagement team and other program staff, to identify and secure work-based learning, employment, and partnership opportunities that deliver on departmental, division, and agency workforce goals.

Service Coordination and Delivery:

• Monitor work-based learning sites to ensure they continue to meet programmatic needs.


• Maintain communication with referring staff and work-based learning hosts to ensure a smooth work-based learning experience for candidates and hosts. Provide information, feedback, and documentation to all stakeholders as necessary and appropriate to ensure program/service effectiveness.


• Provide direct service and support to employers and Adult Career Services staff, such as handling referrals for placement into employment or work-based learning opportunities, conducting needs evaluations, or resolving related issues.

Policies and Agency Standards:

• Be aware of and follow guidelines for all applicable regulatory entities such as Department of Public welfare, Department of Labor, and PA Department of Education.


• Communicate production/job specific expectations to the client; meet regularly with site management to ensure communication of business needs, when applicable.

Status: Regular, Full-time, Non-exempt

Location: Lawrenceville Workforce Development Center - 118 52nd Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

External Hiring Range: $18.25-$19.18

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM. Occasional evening or weekends based on program needs.

Travel Required:  Occasional travel is required to Goodwill and community sites in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Must have access to reliable and consistent transportation, and be able to provide proof of valid driver's license and active insurance policy upon hire. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent AND 4 years of experience required. OR


• Associates degree AND 2 years of experience required. OR


• Bachelor’s degree AND  1 year of experience required. 

Required:

• Experience supporting job seekers and employers in placement or workforce development.


• Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with employers, partners, and stakeholders.


• Skilled in employer engagement, business development, and labor market navigation.


• Proficient with CRM systems, reporting, and data management.


• Adept at assessing employer needs, resolving issues, and delivering solutions.


• Strong public speaking, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Preferred:

• Experience with HR fundamentals, such as hiring & recruiting


• Experience designing, evaluating, or improving employment and training programs.


• Prior knowledge or experience with the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) and/or other adult career service programs

REQUIRED CLEARANCES, LICENSES, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Qualified candidates must have a valid driver's license, active insurance policy, and reliable transportation for local travel.


• Candidates are expected to provide current, valid clearances (Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprints Clearance, and PATCH) prior to their first day of employment.