All GROW sites must assign staff at level of GAIN Services Worker (GSW) to perform the duties of Business Services Specialist (BSS) which are described below.

DESCRIPTION

The Business Services Specialist (BSS) previously known as Job Developer has two main responsibilities:

• The BSS works closely with prospective employers in order to develop job leads and negotiates job opportunities for GROW participants that are then, referred to these businesses for potential job openings.

• The BSS is responsible for the development and distribution of job leads to GROW participants regarding openings with potential for employments and financial independence, which is the main goal of the GROW Program.
  
  

KEY POINTS

The main duties of the BSS include, but are not limited to the following:

• Meet individually with participants to determine job readiness;

• Assess the participant’s current ability level and skill level in order to properly determine job readiness;

• Assist participants in developing resumes and cover letters;

• Use the JobSMART system to initiate job seekers’ profiles;

• Input and maintain job orders into JobSMART;

• Input and maintain job seekers’ profiles information into JobSMART;

• Input and maintain business’ profiles information into JobSMART;

• Assist participants with enrollment into WorkSource and CalJOBs;

• Meet with case managers to identify job-ready candidates and/or to provide status reports regarding participant’s job search progress;
• Coordinate issuances that will assist the participant on his/her job search activities (i.e., transportation, clothing, etc.);

• Notify participants of any upcoming job fairs and/or recruitment activities;

• Contact participants via telephone, email and/or correspondence to follow-up on their job searching activities;

• Coordinate workshops that enhance job readiness, such as expungement and/or homeless court, and make referrals to partnering agencies as appropriate;

• Work with businesses/employers in the local community to identify employment opportunities;

• Match participants with the labor force need;

• Assist participants in directed job search efforts and review their progress;

• Follow up on employed participant for job retention;

• Meet at least weekly with partnering WorkSource Center(s);

• Contact, schedule, and meet with prospective businesses/employers to develop positive relationships and offer staffing solutions;  

• Attend Chamber of Commerce meetings in area;

• Attend Business Seminars/Expos & Trade Shows in area;

• Attend meetings, prepare oral presentations and narrative reports as required;

• Plan, coordinate, and conduct job fairs and on/off-site recruitment events;

• Attend other sites’ job fairs or resource expos.

BSS RESPONSIBILITIES – GROW REDESIGN

Additional BSS’ responsibilities were the result of the GROW Redesign, which introduced three new components: Rapid Employment and Promotion (REP), Early Job Search (EJS), and Short-Term Training (STT).  This redesign includes an Employment Development Team (EDT) comprised of the Case Manager, the Job Coach or Facilitator and the Business Services Specialist.  Together, this group determines the best way to assist the participant with their employment goals based on information gathered in the Participant’s Employment Profile (PEP).

The BSS has the following duties in connection with his/her participation in the above team:

• Provide REP/EJS participants information on upcoming job fairs, job leads, and other sources that will assist them in their search for employment;

• Inform case managers of participants’ failure to keep their appointments and/or let them know when participants do not have sufficient verification of job searches;

• Meet with the EDT members weekly or as needed.

TOOLS

The BSS has at his/her disposal the following tools to facilitate his/her duties:

• JobSMART.  Use the JobSMART system to add job leads, search for potential job openings from the database, and match participant with job openings. 

• Job Development Desk Reference Guide.  This guide has been developed to assist the BSS with the many activities that make up his/her assignment as BSS.

• Job Developers Directory.  Provides contact information to reach all BSS for networking purposes.
  
  

RESULTS

Upon interaction with prospective employers and networking with other DPSS’ BSSs, develops job leads, plans and organizes recruitments with potential for employment of GROW participants at his/her, as well as other GROW sites.

Additionally, the BSS works directly with GROW participants or though the participants’ case managers to provide them with solid recommendations for pursuing job leads that match the participant’s individual skills, work history, and other abilities, and which have potential to lead to employment.

Note:  GROW job referrals activities must not include referrals for jobs resulting from a strike, lockout or other bona-fide labor disputes.