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How to hire a workforce development specialist

Workforce development specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring workforce development specialists in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a workforce development specialist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new workforce development specialist to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a workforce development specialist, step by step

To hire a workforce development specialist, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a workforce development specialist:

Here's a step-by-step workforce development specialist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a workforce development specialist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new workforce development specialist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a workforce development specialist do?

A workforce development specialist is responsible for designing and conducting training and development programs to significantly improve organizational and individual performance. You will perform a few duties that include evaluating training delivery modes, such as virtual or in-person to optimize training effectiveness and costs, developing, obtaining, or organizing training guides and procedure manuals, and coordinating the placement of trainees. As a workforce development specialist, you also have to choose and assign training instructors and negotiating contracts with clients.

Learn more about the specifics of what a workforce development specialist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the workforce development specialist you need to hire. Certain workforce development specialist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a workforce development specialist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a workforce development specialist that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of workforce development specialists.

    Type of Workforce Development SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Workforce Development SpecialistTraining and development specialists plan, conduct, and administer programs that train employees and improve their skills and knowledge.$13-31
    Training FacilitatorA training facilitator is responsible for managing the training sessions of employees in an organization, both for career advancement and process-related training. Training facilitators outline the training objectives, prepare the facility and resources, and ensure that all participants are present during the discussion... Show more$16-37
    FacilitatorA facilitator is responsible for assisting a group event or program, ensuring that the participants coordinate well. Facilitators also monitor that the objectives of the event are smoothly delivered and organized... Show more$13-33
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Social Services
    • Training Programs
    • HR
    • Community Resources
    • Career Development
    • Supportive Services
    • Employment Services
    • Social Work
    • PowerPoint
    • Workforce Development Programs
    • Community Agencies
    • WIOA
    • Technical Assistance
    • Community Outreach
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead advocacy efforts to increase employment opportunities for veterans by contacting hiring executives and encourage the hiring of disable veterans.
    • Work cooperatively with community organizations to provide support and resources to TANF clients.
    • Create PowerPoint presentations for use with public speaking events.
    • Conduct employment verification (I9) and drug tests.
    • Market OJT services to public and private sector employers; prepare contract agreements between employers and employees.
    • Establish and maintain rapport with both prime contractors and their employees that are participating in the OJT program as trainees.
    More workforce development specialist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your workforce development specialist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A workforce development specialist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a workforce development specialist in Vermont may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level workforce development specialist usually earns less than a senior-level workforce development specialist. Additionally, a workforce development specialist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average workforce development specialist salary

    $43,666yearly

    $20.99 hourly rate

    Entry-level workforce development specialist salary
    $28,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 21, 2026

    Average workforce development specialist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$62,646$30
    2District of Columbia$59,782$29
    3Connecticut$53,954$26
    4Washington$53,478$26
    5New York$48,728$23
    6Maryland$47,092$23
    7Kansas$46,961$23
    8Virginia$46,574$22
    9Missouri$46,549$22
    10Massachusetts$45,493$22
    11Hawaii$45,480$22
    12Minnesota$44,427$21
    13Colorado$44,003$21
    14Texas$43,676$21
    15Louisiana$43,658$21
    16Arizona$43,522$21
    17Pennsylvania$42,929$21
    18North Carolina$42,898$21
    19Nevada$40,018$19
    20Tennessee$39,060$19

    Average workforce development specialist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Meta$127,304$61.204
    2Micron Technology$101,648$48.873
    3Goldman Sachs$88,707$42.65
    4IBM$84,833$40.7929
    5CDC Foundation$63,218$30.39
    6Boeing$61,393$29.5249
    7University Hospitals$59,261$28.49
    8Dana-Farber Cancer Institute$59,236$28.481
    9State University of New York College at Cortland$57,189$27.491
    10Logistics Management Institute$54,370$26.142
    11Kinder Morgan$51,695$24.853
    12Washington State University$51,491$24.761
    13Louisiana State Police$51,088$24.56
    14Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority$49,904$23.99
    15Vencore$49,564$23.8313
    16UMOM New Day Centers$48,375$23.264
    17El Paso County$48,085$23.12
    18Bexar County$47,684$22.93
    19Latin American Youth Center$47,578$22.873
    20Arapahoe County$47,228$22.71
  4. Writing a workforce development specialist job description

    A workforce development specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a workforce development specialist job description:

    Workforce development specialist job description example

    • Preferred Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services, Education, Psychology, Business Administration or related area.
    • 5 to 10 years’ experience in employer outreach or job development.
    • Ability to provide support services by working with disabled/disadvantaged persons and assisting in the rehabilitation process of Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona, Inc.

    Additional Requirements:

    Demonstrate GISA’s Values at all times.

    Ability and willingness to perform all job tasks with a positive attitude.

    Communicate in an honest, polite, and well-intentioned manner.

    Do the right thing.

    Establishes and maintains cooperative professional working relationships with Pima County One-Stop Career Center management and staff members, Pima County employers, and outside agencies. *

    Participates in professional organizations to keep updated on workforce trends, economic projections, and employer labor needs related to Tucson / Southern Arizona, as requested by One-Stop supervisor.

    Works with community employers to promote and develop job opportunities for One-Stop customers in the Tucson-Pima County community.

    Establishes contact and sets meetings with employers and training providers to develop plans to train incumbent workers in a skill which will advance their career and income.

    Follows up with employers and tracks outcomes of participant’s career advancements

    Represents the One-Stop before groups, including employers and community agencies, through speaking engagements and individual meetings.

    Acts as a liaison between the One-Stop programs and community agencies such as the Chamber of Commerce, business associations, educational institutions, industry and trade organizations, and economic development organizations.

    Becomes familiar with a variety of complex workforce programs and how they involve business sectors within Pima County.

    Conducts follow-up contact with employers to determine status of job referrals, employment of One-Stop customers, and interest in other Pima County One-Stop Career Center provided services.

    Maintains required confidentiality and security of information created or encountered in the course of assigned duties.

    Maintains comprehensive manual and computer-based records, databases and files, as requested by One-Stop supervisor.

    Ability to work independently, with minimum supervision.

    Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities and environments.

    Ability to read, write, and speak English; follow written and verbal instruction.

    Possess current AZ driver’s license, and personal transportation with proof of auto insurance.


    Employee Benefits:

    Paid Time Off (PTO)

    Paid Sick Leave

    Company-paid Telemedicine plan

    Medical, dental, and vision insurance

    Long- and Short-term Disability

    Identity Theft Protection

    403(b) retirement plan

    30% employee discount


    Criminal background screenings will be conducted on all eligible candidates. Only convictions that could impact this position will be considered.

    We encourage all national service members, veterans, and their family members to apply.

    Location: Tucson, AZ

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right workforce development specialist for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your workforce development specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit workforce development specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting workforce development specialists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new workforce development specialist

    Once you have selected a candidate for the workforce development specialist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new workforce development specialist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a workforce development specialist?

Before you start to hire workforce development specialists, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire workforce development specialists pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

The median annual salary for workforce development specialists is $43,666 in the US. However, the cost of workforce development specialist hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a workforce development specialist for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $13 and $31 an hour.

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