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 ranging 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.
DIVISION OVERVIEW:
Goodwill SWPA’s Human Services division is responsible for making Goodwill’s overarching vision a reality: enhancing people’s dignity and quality of life by strengthening communities and helping those with barriers to employment reach their full potential through workforce education and support. The Human Services division fulfills this mission providing high quality, outcome-oriented services for program participants by utilizing a comprehensive service delivery model covering a broad array of social programs.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:
Within the Human Services Division is the Business Engagement department, a subsection of the Workforce Development Department. Business Engagement is responsible for advancing Goodwill SWPA’s workforce development mission, by managing relationships with employers within agency territory. The department oversees the full cycle of these relationships, beginning with identifying employer partnerships, developing the relationship, and both maintaining and expanding the partnership for the benefit of program participants.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Work Experience Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, and overseeing work experience opportunities for participants enrolled in Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania's Human Service programs. Serving as the primary liaison between program staff and employer partners, this position creates and maintains work-based learning opportunities that support participant skill development, employment readiness, career exploration, and successful transitions into competitive employment.
Working directly with the Director of Business Engagement, the Work Experience Coordinator supports Goodwill of SWPA's strategic workforce development and business engagement initiatives by cultivating employer and community partnerships that expand participant opportunities and strengthen workforce pipelines. The coordinator collaborates across programs to ensure work experience activities align with organizational goals, participant needs, labor market demands, funding requirements, and Goodwill's mission while maintaining high-quality partnerships and positive employment outcomes.
Status: Regular, Full-time, Non-exempt.
Location: Lawrenceville Workforce Development Center - 118 52nd St Pittsburgh, PA 15201.
External Hiring Range: $23.96 - $25.47
Schedule: 8 AM - 4 PM. Occasional evenings may be required.
Travel: Frequent travel to participant work sites, stakeholder sites, and Goodwill locations is required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Included but not limited to:
Work Experience Development:
- Identify, cultivate, and maintain partnerships with employers, community organizations, and training sites to establish new work experience opportunities.
- Develop and implement strategies to expand the number and diversity of work experience placements across multiple industries and occupational sectors.
- Conduct employer outreach, presentations, and networking activities to promote Goodwill programs and participant talent.
- Monitor labor market trends and employer workforce needs to identify opportunities for program expansion and participant placement.
Coordination and Oversight
- Coordinate and oversee all work experience opportunities across Goodwill's human services programs.
- Monitor participant progress, employer satisfaction, and worksite performance to ensure successful outcomes.
- Conduct regular site visits and maintain ongoing communication with employer partners to address concerns, resolve issues, and strengthen partnerships.
- Track placement activities, participant outcomes, retention metrics, and employer engagement data for reporting and continuous improvement.
Partner Engagement:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employers participating in work experience programs.
- Collaborate with internal departments including workforce development, business services, education, and program operations to align work experience opportunities with participant and business needs.
- Represent Goodwill at community meetings, workforce development events, business associations, and industry partnerships.
Policies and Standards:
- Follow guidelines for all applicable regulatory entities such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Family Assistance, Department of Labor, and PA Department of Education.
- Ensure work experience activities comply with contract requirements, funding source regulations, and organizational standards.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Years of Experience:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 5+ years of relevant experience. OR
- Associate's degree in Business Administration, Human Services, Social Work, Education, or other related field AND 3+ years of relevant experience. OR
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Services, Social Work, Education, or other related field AND 1+ years of relevant experience. OR
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Human Services, Social Work, Education, or other related field.
Required:
- Experience coordinating programs, projects, or participant services.
- Strong relationship-building, communication, presentation, and networking skills.
- Knowledge of labor market trends, work-based learning models, and employment readiness strategies.
Preferred:
- Knowledge of workforce development systems, employer engagement strategies, and work-based learning best practices.
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 complete background checks assigned by Goodwill SWPA, including a National Criminal Background check, prior to their first day of employment.
- Candidates are expected to provide current, valid clearances (Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprints Clearance, and PATCH) prior to their first day of employment.