Logo
State of Washington

Program Specialist 5 (Business Relations Specialist)

State of Washington, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127


Salary:

$5,643.00 - $7,589.00 Monthly

Location :

King County - Seattle - Central Area, WA

Job Type:

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number:

2024-DSB-021

Department:

Dept. of Services for the Blind

Opening Date:

11/01/2024

Closing Date:

Continuous

Salary Information:

The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

**Contact Information:

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Aggie Swanson at (360) 407-7934 or email .

Note: This posting has been extended beyond the original closing date. The Hiring Team may make a hiring decision at any time. It is within your best interest to apply for this position at your earliest convenience.

Who We Are: The goal of the is to assist in the stable employment and increased independence of Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision customers. DSB provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who have a visual disability to pursue employment, education, and independent living. Our mission is "Working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces."

What You Will Be Doing:As the Business Relations Specialist, you will be the agency's expert in business relations, conducting activities both internally with DSB staff and externally with businesses. Your focus will be on developing and maintaining competitive, integrated employment opportunities for DSB participants. In this role, you will perform a wide range of complex duties and responsibilities, exercising independent judgement in customer interactions and making decisions within your delegated areas. You will support employers and workforce partners through outreach, training, resource development, and workforce recruitment and retention efforts. You will collaborate with the Workforce System, as defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), with the goal of preparing individuals with visual disabilities successful entry into the competitive workforce and towards greater independence by meeting business needs.Duties

Some of What You'll Enjoy Doing Includes:Develop and maintain professional business relationships within regional territory, with public and private employers, employment advocates, business leaders, talent acquisition employer representatives, and public sector partners and officials to develop, advance and expand employment for people with visual disabilities.Provide training such as Accessibility, Diversity/Equity and Inclusion, and Windmills as well as provide other technical assistance to businesses and organizations in assigned regional territory for workforce recruitment, retention, and career skill development for employees with visual disabilities, assisting employers meet their accessibility, accommodation, and diversity initiatives' needs.Provide business relations referrals with community partner networks and business resource groups.Analyze and utilize business relations and complex labor market data, both within the assigned region and statewide, to provide accurate and timely information for agency performance and program management, workforce development integration, and business outreach.Consult with businesses on workforce recruitment and retention, and accessibility and accommodation.Collaborate with local Workforce Development Councils' (WDCs) business services and leadership teams on strategic implementation of plan objectives to include hiring events, outplacement and recruitment activities; serve as active, strategic partner in the local WorkSource center business engagement team; Work within the WorkSource Centers within the regional territory assigned on a consistent, scheduled basis.Coordinate business referrals for the agency, assigning specialized services to DSB staff to meet business accessibility and accommodation needs.Recruit and administer business relations contractors; assist in management and coordination of agency business relations and workforce contracts, including interagency agreements.Administer regional budget for business relations activities in assigned territory, forecasting service expenditures and procurement obligations for fiscal calendar year.Work with Communications team to develop and deliver continuous public relations content to develop business relationships with employers, that fulfill their business needs for accessibility accommodations and workforce recruitment.Oversee the organization's efforts to be uniform and consistent with like programs of other states, federal agencies, and provinces.Evaluate DSB participant's work history, skills, education, training, and employment goal to facilitate career development, internships, and employment placement.Coordinate and recommends job readiness activities and career planning for DSB participants per business relations program objectives and goals.Integrate labor market information and industry development of in demand job occupations through agency training, communication, and collaboration.Lead, guide, and collaborate with itinerant field services, to identify and develop workforce initiative customer services and business relations program development.Develop and manage workforce development projects in regional territory on sector and service delivery strategies that leads to upskilling of job seekers and employ outcomes.Guide participants in effectively using career development services and resources available at WorkSource Centers, colleges and universities, and online platforms.Develop opportunities for registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, internships, and sector-based learning opportunities.Coordinate market driven placement services and advanced individualized placement services on behalf of DSB participants.Connect highly skilled job seekers with employers for suitable employment opportunities.Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Economic Development, Social Services, or other areas that would provide a foundation for understanding the responsibilities of this position and the innovation it requires;

ANDThree (3) years of experience.OR

A combination of education and/or relevant experience.Supplemental Information

How to Apply:Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click "Apply" at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

A

letter of interest,

describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting.A

current resume , detailing experience, and education; andA current list of at least

three (3) professional references

with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

NOTE:

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the application. Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified.Conditions of employment:

Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Services for the Blind, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.Union Inclusion:This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Opportunity for All:

The Department of Services for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

More than Just a Paycheck!Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:

If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance BenefitsEmployees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred CompensationState Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social SecurityAll state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan ForgivenessIf you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

HolidaysFull-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note:

Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick LeaveFull-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note:

Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for

exempt

employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military LeaveWashington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement LeaveMost employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional LeaveLeave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

01

Are you currently employed by the Department of Services for the Blind?

YesNo

02

Are you willing to undergo a background check as a condition of employment?

YesNo

03

Do you have experience working with the Blind, Deaf-Blind, and Low Vision adult population?

YesNo

04

What is your level of education?

High school diploma or GED.Some or no college.1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits) in Human Resources, Business, Economic Development, Social Services, or a closely related field.1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits) in an unrelated field.Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) in Human Resources, Business, Economic Development, Social Services, or a closely related field.Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) in an unrelated field.3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits) in Human Resources, Business, Economic Development, Social Services, or a closely related field.3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits) in an unrelated field.Bachelor's degree or higher in Human Resources, Business, Economic Development, Social Services, or a closely related field.Bachelor's degree or higher in an unrelated field.None of these apply.

05

What was the major or focus of your degree? If this does not apply to you, please indicate "N/A."

06

How many years of experience do you have in outreach, training, resource development, and workforce recruitment and retention?

Less than 1 year1 or more years2 or more years3 or more years4 or more years5 or more years6 or more years7 or more yearsI do not have this experience.

07

From the above question, please briefly state your experience AND state what relevant job(s) will clearly be found on your application. If this does not apply to you, indicate "N/A" in this space.

08

Do you have experience working for or with a program that the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, funds?

YesNo

09

If you do have experience working for or with a program that the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, what program is it?If this does not apply to you, please enter "N/A."

10

How did you learn about this job posting?

Careers.wa.govGovernmentjobs.comLinkedInIndeedJob BoardFriend/Co-workerOther

11

We would like to know where you heard about this position. If you selected "Job Board" or "Other", please specify the name of the job board or source where you found this position.If you selected a named job board or webpage from the list above, please enter "N/A" in this space.

Required Question