Workforce Recruitment and Retention Coordinator

The Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program is seeking to hire a Coordinator focused on recruitment and retention of union members in workforce training programs. This role will also support the Executive Director in forming and maintaining community partnerships to further the goals of the Training Program. This role is designed to be in the community meeting with workers, employers, and community-based organizations. This position reports to the Executive Director.

The Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program is a newly established labor-management partnership between hospitality employers and UNITE HERE! Local 8, the union for hospitality workers in the Pacific Northwest. As a Taft-Hartley Fund, the Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program’s primary two objectives are to: (1) provide ongoing training to incumbent unionized workers to support their career advancement and (2) train new workers and help place them in good union jobs with employer partners.

The Training Program, established in 2018, through the bargaining efforts of UNITE HERE! Local 8 and supported by contributions outlined in the collective bargaining agreements is a 501(c)9 made up of over 12 hospitality employers.

UNITE HERE! Local 8 represents about 4,000 workers in the hospitality industries of Oregon & Washington State. Local 8 members work in hotels, restaurants, food service, and airport concessions. They include room cleaners, cooks, bartenders, bellmen, food and beverage servers, bussers, and dishwashers. Local 8′s parent union, UNITE HERE!, represents hotel, food service, and gaming workers throughout the US and Canada.

Over the years, UNITE HERE! Local 8 has fought hard for and won:

• Living Wages
• Job Security
• A Voice on the Job
• Respect in the Workplace
• Affordable Family Health Insurance Paid by the Employer

Primary Responsibilities:

Outreach and Recruitment

• Develop outreach strategies and culturally responsive materials (print, digital, social media) in collaboration with Local 8, employers, and workforce organizations.
• Lead informational workshops and serve as the main contact for Local 8 workers interested in training programs.
• Build relationships with community partners and participate in events to recruit prospective workers.
• Recruit and enroll incumbent Local 8 workers into training programs.
• Maintain partnerships with community workforce agencies for referral services.

Partnerships

• Build and strengthen community partnerships to address workforce needs.
• Report on community needs and seek new partnerships aligned with the Hospitality sector.
• Create referral processes for prospective workers appropriate for participating employer bargained hospitality roles.
• Organize job fairs with employers and share community resources.
• Attend relevant internal and external meetings.

Case Management

• Track member progress on enrollment, retention, and completion.
• Provide workforce case management support and maintain records of member interactions.
• Connect members with community resources such as transportation assistance, public benefits, and workforce services.
• Promote survey participation and administer support services to support training completion.
• Encourage member accountability, self-advocacy, and personal growth. Maintain professional boundaries.

Other

• Report out to Executive Director, Training Program Board, Local 8 staff members, and others as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Attributes:

• Creative problem-solving approach.
• Adaptability to meet changing community and sector needs.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proven ability to network, build relationships, and foster trust across diverse groups.
• Ability to graciously receive feedback.
• Resourceful and adaptable in navigating fast-changing environments.
• Dedicated to upholding the principles of worker advocacy, solidarity, and collective bargaining.
• Self-motivated with effective time management skills.
• High attention to detail and ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Sense of humor and positive attitude.

Experience:

• Associate’s degree in education, human services, or a related field, OR equivalent education and experience. Minimum of four years relevant work experience in education, workforce services, human services, or similar areas.
• Experience supporting participant success in an educational environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and teleconferencing software such as Zoom/Teams.
• Experience with record management systems.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion practices.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with diverse audiences; able to present to both small and large groups, answer questions, and provide program information.
• Experience with regional labor market and hiring trends, as well as statewide trends in workforce development and/or workforce education.
• Knowledge of best practices in supporting at-risk populations of potential and existing students.
• Knowledge of best practices to support historically marginalized communities and individuals.

Desired Qualifications

• Persons with lived experience around racial inequity, oppression, and institutional and/or systemic racism.
• Experience working with immigrant and/or refugee communities.
• Experience working with communities of color.
• Bilingual is a plus.

Ability to commute:

Office is located at 5030 1st Avenue S, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98144.

This role will require frequent in-person work in the community. Reliable private transportation with appropriate insurance is required.

Working remote on a limited and irregular basis may be an option based on the schedule and commitments. The remote work schedule will be worked out with the Executive Director.

Schedule:

Monday-Friday with some pre-arranged evenings and weekends. 40 hours a week.

Schedule will be flexed if there are evening or weekend commitments.