Title: Agricultural Outreach Specialist - Danville or Lynchburg
State Role Title: Program and Administration Specialist I / 19211
Hiring Range: $43,000 - $50,831
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Department of Workforce Development and Advancement
Location: DANVILLE
Agency Website: virginiaworks.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Come join our team at the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (DWDA)! In 2023, bipartisan legislation consolidated a dozen workforce development programs and data systems from various existing Commonwealth of Virginia agencies to create the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (DWDA), known as Virginia Works. On July 1, 2024, Virginia Works stood up as an independent agency dedicated to creating, sustaining, and retaining a highly skilled workforce, and committed to making sure Virginia Works for everyone.
Conducts outreach to Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs) and explain, in English and Spanish, the full range of workforce development services available at all Virginia Career Works locations. Assists MSFWs with registering for employment services; makes referrals to employment opportunities; provides information on employment related laws and the employment service complaint system; and facilitates complaint resolution. Market workforce services to agricultural employers to promote their use of the labor exchange system, review job orders for compliance with applicable regulations, attend meetings of agricultural employers and advocacy groups, and provide Spanish translation assistance as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Spanish proficiency, orally and in writing, is required.
Knowledge of MSFW and agricultural employment issues, agricultural trends, business practices and employment laws and regulations (e.g., MSPA, FLSA, OSHA, ETA, child and farm labor, housing, pesticide safety, and field sanitation).
Strong oral and written communication, customer service and computer (e.g., MS Office or related software) skills.
Ability to mediate and resolve complaints; interpret and apply related policies and procedures, laws, and regulations; conduct interviews and housing inspections; make presentations; collect and analyze data, prepare reports, provide technical assistance and respond to employment related inquiries.
Extensive travel is required to visit MSFWs within and outside assigned service area.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and have the availability of a vehicle.
Additional Considerations
Experience conducting outreach activities and working in employment assistance activities.
Experience working in agriculture or agricultural and/or farmworkers assistance programs, conducting housing inspections, and/or providing translation services in Spanish.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Diversity and inclusivity are at the heart of what we do in Virginia, and Virginia Works is committed to upholding these values in our employment opportunities across the Commonwealth to people from all backgrounds, including all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities.
Virginia Works is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program, and a Virginia Values Veterans certified employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
The selected candidate must successfully pass a comprehensive background check including an FBI fingerprint background investigation.
Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and résumés will not be accepted.
Applications are not accepted after the recruitment closing date.
Please carefully review the details of this recruitment including the location of the position and the posted salary before applying. Virginia Works does not provide relocation assistance, and no salary will be offered outside of the posted salary range/flat rate.
Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application (and/or resume). You must ensure your application/resume includes the scope of your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as it relates to the position you are applying for. Information not stated will not be assumed.
This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.
For the status of your application and this position, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via email or telephone.
Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Applicants needing accommodations should contact the Human Resource office for additional information.
Virginia Works does not provide sponsorship; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work in the US.
NOTICE: Virginia Works will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources / Recruitment
Phone: For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via phone.
Email: Careers@vaworks.virginia.gov for recruitment related questions. Emailed applications, resumes, or cover letters will not be accepted. For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account.
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.