Workforce Development Specialist
LAYC/MMYC seeks a part-time Workforce Development Specialist to support Opportunity Youth ages 16–24 in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Specialist will lead practical workforce readiness programming for youth across LAYC programs, connect participants to employment and training opportunities, and support the EARN Early Childhood Education career pathway. The position will focus on helping youth build concrete skills, career tools, and connections that prepare them for employment, internships, training, and post-secondary education.
The ideal candidate is an engaging facilitator who can translate workforce development concepts into practical, interactive learning experiences and build strong relationships with youth, employers, training providers, community partners, and LAYC staff.
This contractor position for 30 hours per week, with four days on-site Monday – Thursday from 9am – 4:30pm. Contract ends June 20, 2027.
JOIN US AND SUPPORT YOUTH TO LIVE, WORK, AND STUDY WITH DIGNITY, HOPE, AND JOY!
Latin American Youth Center’s (LAYC) mission is to empower youth to achieve a successful transition to adulthood, through comprehensive and innovative programs that address youths’ social, academic, and career needs. To achieve this mission, LAYC provides services and opportunities to approximately 4,000 individuals annually to support academic achievement, promote healthy behavior, and guide youth towards successful adulthood.
We believe in a future where all youth pursue their dreams, reach their goals and acquire the skills and self-confidence to live a life of purpose, connection, contribution and joy.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Workforce Development & Job Readiness
- Develop and facilitate a weekly workforce readiness series for youth across LAYC programs using relevant curricula.
- Provide practical training in career exploration, transferable skills, resumes and cover letters, professional email and LinkedIn, job search and applications, interviewing, workplace communication, critical thinking, digital literacy, and workplace expectations.
- Incorporate financial and systems literacy, including budgeting, understanding paychecks, I-9 documentation, scholarships, unemployment, benefits, and other common employment and education systems.
- Ensure workshops lead to tangible outcomes, such as completed resumes, professional profiles, mock interviews, job applications, employer engagement, and participation in job fairs or hiring events.
- Support youth in developing a Career-Ready Portfolio and use a simple work-readiness checklist to identify strengths, skill gaps, and next steps.
Employment Resources & Employer Engagement
- Develop and maintain an accessible Youth Career Hub with current jobs, internships, hiring events, training opportunities, scholarships, workshops, and career resources.
- Build and maintain relationships with employers, training providers, and community partners to create a pipeline of employment, internship, work-based learning, job shadowing, career exploration, and training opportunities.
- Coordinate employer panels, guest speakers, mock interviews, job fairs, site visits, and other career-connected activities.
- Collaborate with LAYC staff to connect work-ready youth to appropriate employment, internships, WEX/OJT, occupational training, and post-secondary opportunities.
EARN & Early Childhood Education Career Pathway
- Lead implementation of LAYC’s EARN Early Childhood Education (ECE) programming, with an increased programmatic focus during the spring.
- Facilitate ECE career-readiness activities and connect participants to relevant training, credentialing, career exploration, employment, and advancement opportunities.
- Engage ECE employers, professionals, and training partners in workshops, guest speaking, experiential learning, and employment connections.
Participant Support, Tracking & Team Collaboration
- Provide individual or small-group workforce support for youth needing assistance with resumes, applications, interviews, job searches, or career planning.
- Track workshop participation, Career-Ready Portfolio milestones, referrals, applications, interviews, employer engagement, and employment/training outcomes and maintain timely program documentation.
- Participate in regular supervision and Workforce Team meetings; collaborate across LAYC programs to support coordinated, participant-centered services.
- Adhere to all LAYC policies, confidentiality requirements, and professional standards and perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Manager and Directors.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- A bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or related field preferred
- Minimum of 1-2 years of experience working with adolescents and families, preferably in community -based and multicultural setting
- Experience working with out of school/at risk-youth preferred
- Experience with building and executing curriculum and workshops, preferably in workforce development
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of community and local resources in Montgomery County
- Excellent oral and written skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft products: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work with minimum supervision
- Experience working in a team environment
- Ability to evaluate youth’s emotional, behavioral, and social needs and determine the optimal treatment strategies
- Complete medical, criminal, and child abuse and neglect clearances
- Flexible, energetic, positive individual with commitment to youth development in a high quality, respectful environment
- Ability to work well and communicate with culturally diverse populations
At-Will Employment: This position is at-will, meaning that either you or LAYC may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason.
Performance Evaluation: In addition to an annual performance evaluation, there will be a 90-day performance review to ensure organizational fit and performance expectations are met.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 10 lbs. May require the ability to travel locally and/or regionally.
LAYC/MMYC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing opportunities without regard to age, race, color, pregnancy, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or status within any other protected group.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
TO APPLY
Please send a cover letter and resume to Managing Director, Iris.Schauerman@layc-dc.org . Please include the title of the position in the email subject line.