Workforce Development & Community Outreach Specialist

Make Connections. Build Confidence. Open Doors. Workforce Development and Community Outreach Specialist Full-Time | Hillcrest Ministries of MidAmerica, Inc. A first email. A stronger résumé. The confidence to complete an online job application. Sometimes, a new skill can open the door to a whole new opportunity. Join #TeamHillcrest and help people take that next step! We’re looking for an engaging, resourceful Workforce Development and Community Outreach Specialist to connect residents and eligible community participants with SkyLab, Hillcrest’s learning initiative. You’ll build community partnerships, welcome new learners, and teach practical technology and workplace skills that support employment readiness and self-sufficiency. If you enjoy connecting with people, teaching with patience, and helping someone experience that “I did it!” moment, this could be your next meaningful career move. What You’ll Do

• Build community connections. Develop relationships with nonprofits, social service providers, workforce agencies, and other partners to grow awareness and participant referrals.
• Welcome new learners. Lead outreach, recruitment, intake, orientation, and enrollment. Help participants identify their goals, starting skills, and barriers to participation.
• Make technology approachable. Teach computer and device basics, keyboarding, file management, email, internet safety, Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace, and online job search tools.
• Build workplace confidence. Teach professional communication, customer service, time management, reliability, accountability, teamwork, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
• Meet learners where they are. Use demonstrations, guided practice, small groups, and individual coaching to make lessons accessible and useful.
• Help participants stay engaged. Follow up with learners and referral partners, coordinate schedules and transportation, and connect participants with resources.
• Show the progress. Maintain accurate outreach, enrollment, attendance, learning progress, and completion records that support program improvement and reporting.
• Keep SkyLab ready for learning. Help refine curriculum, maintain an organized learning space, and report technology concerns.

What You’ll Bring You’re comfortable reaching out to a community partner and sitting beside a learner who needs extra encouragement. You explain things clearly, follow through on commitments, and recognize that people arrive with different experiences, strengths, and needs.

Required qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Relevant lived experience navigating barriers to housing stability, employment, education, or technology access - and the ability to use that perspective to support others while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Experience in human or social services and knowledge of the nonprofit sector.
• Ability to build referral relationships, conduct outreach, and coordinate participant intake and follow-up.
• Strong digital skills and the patience to explain technology in clear, practical ways.
• Ability to create an inclusive, trauma-informed learning environment and adapt instruction to different skill levels and accessibility needs.
• Strong communication, organization, documentation, and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to confidentiality, respectful service, and professional boundaries.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet Hillcrest’s driving and participant transportation requirements.
• Ability to complete required organizational and applicable funder background checks.

Helpful experience - we’d love to hear about it:

• Three or more years of teaching, training, tutoring, coaching, or group facilitation, including part-time experience.
• Experience teaching digital literacy, adult education, or workforce readiness.
• Relevant workforce development certifications or postsecondary education. Equivalent professional experience, training, and demonstrated skills may be considered in place of a degree or certification.
• Bilingual communication skills.

Your Work Environment You’ll work in technology labs, classrooms, offices, and community settings, with regular travel between Hillcrest locations and community sites. Safely transporting students is also part of this role. Reasonable accommodations are available to support performance of essential job functions. This position reports to Andrea Newton, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management. Bring Your HEART to Hillcrest Hillcrest helps individuals, youth, and families move from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Our team puts Hope, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork into action through teaching, service, and collaboration. Here, you can help someone build a skill, discover their confidence, and take a meaningful step toward their goals. Ready to connect, teach, and make an impact? Apply today and join #TeamHillcrest! Hillcrest Ministries of MidAmerica, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug-free workplace. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law.