About This Position
Austin Human Resources is committed to fostering a safe, healthy, and high-performing work environment for all City of Austin employees. Through strategic leadership, collaboration, and a focus on continuous improvement, we support departments in creating workplaces where employees can thrive and deliver exceptional service to the community.
We are currently seeking a committed Employment Services Specialist to support the City of Austin’s hiring efforts through targeted employment services and community engagement. This role provides one-on-one career guidance, facilitates job readiness workshops, coordinates City job fairs, and partners with community organizations to strengthen access to employment opportunities. It also plays a key role in processing Criminal Background Investigations (CBI), ensuring compliance, conducting research, and supporting broader Talent Acquisition initiatives.
If you are passionate about helping job seekers connect with meaningful opportunities, ensuring fair and consistent hiring practices, and contributing to a mission-driven HR team, we invite you to apply and support the City of Austin’s commitment to accessible and equitable employment.
Purpose:
Working under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, performs moderately complex employment outreach work.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Interviews clients to assess client needs regarding employment opportunities, explaining requirements of available employment opportunities, and requirements of available program services. Informs clients regarding education, experience, skills, interest and other relevant data to explore clients' employment opportunities.
Accepts and processes applications for the City of Austin.
Builds partnerships with other employment and social service programs to provide maximum benefit for clients and to discuss ways to improve services utilizing available resources in the most efficient manner.
Determines employers' job requirements and refers qualified clients.
Tracks and reports referred clients who gain employment as a result of referrals.
Provides information and refers clients to employment, training and other social service programs through the exploration of needs, resources, and other issues.
Contacts City of Austin Departments and other employers to obtain information on their organization, hiring practices, job openings and other information.
Coordinates and delivers employment seminars and other training.
Tracks, analyzes, and reports client services usage.
Represents the City of Austin at job fairs.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
None
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
Knowledge of interviewing and assessment techniques and procedures.
Knowledge of Federal, State and local laws and ordinances.
Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
Skill in using computers and related software.
Skill in planning and organizing.
Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
Ability to conduct interviews.
Ability to develop and deliver presentations and/or training.
Ability to gather and analyze data for reports.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a related field.
Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years
Licenses and Certifications Required:
None
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working with diverse populations and/or multicultural communities
Strong oral and written communication skills
Experience and competency in preparing and delivering presentations
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Experience with criminal background investigation processes
Experience with research, data analysis, or records management
Customer service experience (phone, in person, virtual)
Bilingual
Austin Human Resources is excited to invite a skilled Employment Services Specialist to join our team. In this role, you will support the City’s hiring efforts by providing personalized job search guidance, facilitating presentations, coordinating job fairs, and engaging with the community. You will also assist with Criminal Background Investigations (CBI), ensuring compliance, conducting research, and supporting key Talent Acquisition initiatives.
We’re looking for a motivated professional who is passionate about helping job seekers, strengthening fair and consistent hiring practices, and contributing to a mission-driven HR team. If you’re ready to make an impact and support the City of Austin’s workforce, we encourage you to apply.
Salary Range: $27.77 - $33.95 hourly
Office Location:
City of Austin Employment Services Center
J. Snell Building
1050 East 11th Street
Suite 200
Austin, TX 78702
Days and Hours:
Monday – Friday.
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Hours may vary due to operational needs. An alternative schedule and remote work/teleworking options are available. After the initial probationary period, this position requires a minimum of 80% in-office time per week.
Travel:
If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
When completing the City of Austin employment application:
A detailed and complete employment application is required to evaluate your qualifications. Please follow the guidelines below:
Clearly describe your experience for each position, especially as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications.
Please include all relevant experience because this information will be used to determine interview eligibility and starting salary, which is based on documented experience.
Important Reminders:
This position may allow for a resume or cover letter to be included, but relevant entries on your employment application will primarily be considered for interview qualification and compensation purposes.
A résumé or cover letter does not replace a fully completed application.
Do not use phrases like “see résumé” or refer to other documents to complete any section.
The “Duties and Responsibilities” sections must be fully completed.
The application is the primary basis for evaluating qualifications and determining compensation.
Include all employment you wish to be considered, with job titles, dates, duties, and responsibilities for each role.
Once the job posting closes, applications cannot be modified
The use of AI is strictly prohibited for responding to the application and during the interview process.
If you are selected to interview: If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization or institution, as well as proof of your professional licenses or certifications. If you are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
Benefits:
Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click HERE for more information.
Additional Information:
Assessment(s) may be administered during this recruitment.
Background Check:
A financial criminal background check (CBI) IS required for this position
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM on the day before the listed date. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.
We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.
Please note that the Department may close the job posting at any time after seven (7) days.
Make a Difference Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
Value and Innovation Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.
Competitive Benefits Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
Retirement Security Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
Sustainable Transportation Options Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
Focus on Wellness Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
Career Growth Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
Modern Workspaces Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
EEO Statement for City of Austin:
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
An award-winning employer, the City of Austin has a Council-Manager form of government and employs 13.8K employees. The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, is responsible to the Council for the management of City employees, and for the administration of all City affairs.
To achieve the vision of making Austin the most livable city in the country, Austin’s city government’s mission is to be the best-managed city in the country. The City continues to advance its best-managed mission through transparent business practices, excellence in public service, innovative leadership, and the provision of reliable, safe, efficient, and above-national-standards services.
The Austin metro area population exceeds 2 million. Geographically, Austin consists of approximately 326 square miles.
Austin is nationally recognized as a great place to live, in part due to its diverse population and its promotion of a year-round outdoor, active lifestyle. Austin’s quality of life has become its biggest economic development engine, and the City’s diverse demographic structure supports and enriches it. Austin is fortunate to offer a broad range of educational opportunities, including six universities, a robust community college system, and numerous other institutions of higher education.
At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.
