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Placement coordinator vs employment specialist

The differences between placement coordinators and employment specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a placement coordinator and an employment specialist. Additionally, a placement coordinator has an average salary of $44,313, which is higher than the $39,530 average annual salary of an employment specialist.

The top three skills for a placement coordinator include patients, customer service and patient placement. The most important skills for an employment specialist are customer service, rehabilitation, and mental health.

Placement coordinator vs employment specialist overview

Placement CoordinatorEmployment Specialist
Yearly salary$44,313$39,530
Hourly rate$21.30$19.00
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs23,47959,757
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a placement coordinator do?

Placement coordinators are professionals who provide students with field placement contact information. The coordinators serve as liaisons between college, facility, and students for field placement. They identify the required requirements and assist apprentice participants in the exchange. The fundamental attributes of coordinators include hard work, perseverance, and sincerity. They help students determine employment choices matching their career interests. Also, they assist students with interview techniques, job referrals, and resume writing.

What does an employment specialist do?

An employment specialist deals with job applicants to match their talents to a specific job that properly suits them. Employment specialists assist applicants or the unemployed by testing their skills, conducting mock interviews, and creating a proper resume. They can work separately within a company or be part of the human resources department to assist in the hiring process. Employment specialists are often tasked to handle company layoffs and act as the liaison officer between the employer and the Department of Labor.

Placement coordinator vs employment specialist salary

Placement coordinators and employment specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Placement CoordinatorEmployment Specialist
Average salary$44,313$39,530
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $58,000Between $29,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyDignity HealthUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryEducationProfessional

Differences between placement coordinator and employment specialist education

There are a few differences between a placement coordinator and an employment specialist in terms of educational background:

Placement CoordinatorEmployment Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Placement coordinator vs employment specialist demographics

Here are the differences between placement coordinators' and employment specialists' demographics:

Placement CoordinatorEmployment Specialist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 22.9% Female, 77.1%Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.7% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between placement coordinator and employment specialist duties and responsibilities

Placement coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and coordinate the workload of the release team members and are responsible for organizing and hosting all production release windows.
  • Handle patient and therapist information in accordance with the HIPAA laws.
  • Input data for new hires, terminations, promotions, and make any necessary data changes into the HRIS system.
  • Post jobs using applicant tracking system and conduct background checks, verify licenses, write offer letters, and complete I-9s.
  • Maintain employment information within HRIS.
  • Maintain highest confidentiality and integrity and EEO compliance.
  • Show more

Employment specialist example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with partner agencies to share leads, information and execute OJT agreements.
  • Assist in managing unemployment claims, wrongful termination claims, civil and EEOC suits.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of vocational rehabilitation theory and practice along with the hiring needs and job requirements of the local business community.
  • Present information about vocational rehabilitation to community.
  • Maintain records according to CARF standards.
  • Verify identity with I9 documents like driver license; passports and social security cards.
  • Show more

Placement coordinator vs employment specialist skills

Common placement coordinator skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Patient Placement, 14%
  • Bed Availability, 4%
  • Community Resources, 3%
  • Direct Admissions, 3%
Common employment specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Competitive Employment, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 4%

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