Iowa Workforce Development is seeking applicants for the position of Re-Entry Career Planner at Fort Dodge, IA Correctional Facility.
Your role as a Reentry Career Planner

Deliver on-site reemployment services to individuals nearing release from a correctional facility. Provide coaching to inmates on all facets of the job search process while assisting them in enhancing their personal and professional skills to achieve successful employment. The services offered will include the development of employment plans to identify specific career goals, career planning, skills assessments, and information on short-term pre-vocational services and reemployment workshops.

In this role you will develop and maintain a comprehensive and documented action plan for clients, including timely and accurate case notes. Provide and facilitate employment and training services, with a primary focus on addressing the needs of clients who are facing barriers to employment or require additional support.

Conduct ongoing follow-up activities that are impactful and designed to enhance the employability of ex-offenders, such as job development initiatives, to ensure successful outcomes.

As a Re-Entry Career Planner, you will facilitate both group and individual reemployment workshops covering topics such as job application skills, resume development, interview techniques, mock interviews, industry trend research, and essential soft skills, including communication, punctuality, and personal maintenance.

Provide comprehensive community resource information to support offenders upon their release, facilitating the implementation of their employment plans. This includes information on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), federal bonding programs, housing assistance, food assistance, Vocational Rehabilitation, registered apprenticeship programs, short-term training opportunities, veteran services, and other relevant community resources.

Participate in the development and implementation of tailored recruitment strategies. Collaborate with the Business Services Team to effectively match ex-offenders with job opportunities and deliver labor exchange services that facilitate job placement. Provide ongoing follow-up support to assist ex-offenders in reducing recidivism and the likelihood of re-offending.

About Iowa Workforce Development
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is a state agency dedicated to providing exceptional employment services and connecting employers with skilled workers. With a strong focus on continuous improvement and aligning services with workforce demands, IWD offers comprehensive support to job seekers and employers through a statewide network of IowaWORKS Centers.

Benefits
Joining the IWD team and becoming a State of Iowa employee comes with a range of valuable benefits, including:
•Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance.
•Generous paid time off, including nine paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with no cap on sick leave accrual.
•Prepare for the future with the IPERS retirement package, as well as an additional optional deferred compensation retirement plan.
•Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
•Free Life and Long-term Disability Insurance with the option of purchasing additional coverage.
•Employee Assistance Programs and Discount Programs for support.

Click here to learn more about all of the amazing benefits the State of Iowa offers.

Hours of Work: Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.
Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

No applicant seeking employment with the Iowa Department of Workforce Development can have a current, ongoing overpayment balance with Iowa Workforce Development without a payment plan in place. Selected positions will be subject to a criminal background check.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of full-time public contact work obtaining, analyzing and evaluating data such as job/claims interviewing, testing, referral and/or placement, sales representative, credit investigation, or related public contact work dealing with job applicants and employers in a variety of supportive clerical and outreach functions for one year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four years; employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to twelve months of full-time work as a Workforce Associate.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Travel may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.