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Workforce Development Specialist information

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$26.3K

$59.9K

$118.4K

How much do workforce development specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for workforce development specialist in Tennessee is $59,902.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,600.00 and $77,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Workforce Development Specialist vs Career Counselor?

AspectWorkforce Development SpecialistCareer Counselor
Primary FocusDeveloping workforce programs, training, and employment initiativesProviding career guidance, counseling, and job search assistance
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, workforce boards, training centersEducational institutions, private counseling firms, career centers
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in human services, social work, or related fieldUsually a bachelor's or master's degree in counseling, psychology, or related field
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in public and nonprofit sectors focused on employment servicesCommon in educational and private career services settings

While both roles aim to assist individuals with employment and career development, a Workforce Development Specialist focuses on creating and managing programs to improve workforce skills, whereas a Career Counselor provides personalized guidance to individuals seeking career advice. Understanding these differences helps job seekers and employers find the right support for their needs.

Is workforce development a good career?

Workforce development specialists help improve employment opportunities by connecting individuals with training programs and resources. The role often requires strong communication, organizational skills, and knowledge of local labor markets, making it a stable career with opportunities for growth in public and private sectors.

What are some common challenges faced by workforce development specialists when coordinating with multiple community partners?

Workforce Development Specialists often collaborate with various community organizations, educational institutions, and employers to create effective job training and placement programs. A common challenge is aligning the goals and expectations of these diverse partners while maintaining clear communication and managing timelines. Navigating differing priorities and resource limitations can require strong negotiation and organizational skills. Building and maintaining trustful relationships is crucial for ensuring successful program outcomes and sustained partnerships.

What does a workforce development specialist do?

The duties of a workforce development specialist are to design and conduct a program to train employees and improve performance. They typically consider the organizational performance of a company as they develop this program, which includes financial performance, market performance, and shareholder return. A workforce development specialist often acts as support during the program. Qualifications to become a workforce development specialist include a bachelor's degree in human resources or a relevant field as well as industry experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a workforce development specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Workforce Development Specialist, you need a background in human resources, career counseling, or education, often supported by a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Familiarity with workforce management systems, labor market analysis tools, and case management software is typically required. Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills help build relationships with clients and stakeholders while effectively coordinating training initiatives. These skills ensure the successful alignment of workforce programs with employer needs and support positive employment outcomes for job seekers.
More about Workforce Development Specialist jobs
What are popular job titles related to Workforce Development Specialist jobs in Tennessee? For Workforce Development Specialist jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Workforce Development Specialist jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Workforce Development Specialist jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Workforce Development Specialist jobs in TN? For Workforce Development Specialist jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Workforce Development Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Workforce Development Specialist job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,902 per year, or $28.8 per hour.

Early Talent Development Specialist

Mental Health Cooperative

Nashville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Ranked one of Tennessee's top places to work, MHC is a rare and special place where outstanding company culture is intentional. Where clients and associates are treated the same, as equals.
Mental Health Cooperative, Inc. (MHC) was formed in 1993 to serve individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Since then, we have expanded our services to children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee.
Our sole purpose is to support and treat those challenged with serious mental illness and poverty. Although based out of Nashville, we serve several communities across middle and East Tennessee with satellite offices in Antioch, Gallatin, Dickson, Columbia, Cleveland, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, and Memphis.
If you are interested in joining a team that is caring, collaborative, innovative and energizing this might be a great place for you!
Job Title: Early Talent Development Specialist
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: Clinic
Reports to: Director, Learning
JOB SUMMARY
The Early Talent Development Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and facilitating talent development initiatives that support the growth of associates and interns across the organization. This role partners with leaders, educational institutions, and subject matter experts to create engaging learning experiences that build skills, strengthen career pathways, and develop a sustainable talent pipeline. The Early Talent Development Manager oversees all aspects of the organization's internship program, including university partnerships, recruitment activities, placement coordination, program evaluation, and intern engagement. The role serves as the primary liaison between academic institutions and internal stakeholders to ensure meaningful learning experiences that align with organizational goals and workforce needs. In addition, this position develops and delivers instructor-led, virtual, and blended learning programs focused on professional growth, onboarding, career readiness, and workforce development. The Early Talent Development Manager evaluates learning outcomes, tracks program effectiveness, and continuously improves training solutions to enhance employee development and retention.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Internship Program Oversight
  • Manage and oversee the organization's internship, practicum, and student placement programs.
  • Develop and maintain partnerships with colleges and universities.
  • Coordinate intern recruitment, onboarding, placement, orientation, and offboarding processes.
  • Collaborate with leaders and subject matter experts to identify talent development needs across the organization, and assist in creating solutions to drive that needed growth.
  • Create learning pathways for interns and new hires that will enable targeted and sustainable development and growth.

Leadership
  • Lead cross-functional projects that support associate growth and organizational learning objectives.
  • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with leaders, educational institutions, and community partners.
  • Foster a collaborative and accountable work environment that supports teamwork and professional growth.

Quality, Compliance & Risk Management
  • Ensure all talent development, internship, and training programs comply with organizational policies, accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and educational partnership agreements.
  • Monitor compliance with mandatory training requirements for interns, students, and participants in talent development programs.
  • Conduct routine audits of learning records, program documentation, and training materials to ensure accuracy and completeness.
  • Develop and maintain standardized processes, tools, and documentation to support consistent program delivery and quality outcomes.
  • Identify risks, gaps, or compliance concerns related to training programs and recommend correction actions.
  • Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive associate, intern, and organizational information in accordance with privacy and security requirements.

Data, Reporting & Performance Metrics
  • Utilize evaluation data, learner feedback, and performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
  • Establish program goals, success metrics, and action plans for internship, onboarding, and talent development programs.
  • Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to program participation, completion, learner satisfaction, knowledge transfer, and workforce development outcomes.

Operational & Administrative Management
  • Coordinate and manage the day-to-day operations of internship, practicum, and student placement programs.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for interns, students, and academic partners.
  • Coordinate training schedules, program calendars, room reservations, virtual meeting logistics, and participant communications.
  • Schedule and facilitate routine meetings, check-ins, and communications with program participants, supervisors, and academic partners.
  • Participate in career fairs and internship recruiting events.

Education & Professional Development
  • Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, professional development, and operational excellence throughout the organization.
  • Stay informed about industry regulations, workforce development trends, adult learning best practices, and accreditation requirements that impact training and talent development programs.
  • Knowledge of adult learning theory and application.
  • The ability to provide strong examples of program management and improvements.
  • Assist the Director of Learning in planning and executing enterprise-level programs as needed.

Other Responsibilities:
  • Responsible for attending all mandatory in-services, continuing education and annual requirements.
  • Comply with all Corporate Compliance policies, practices and procedures.
  • Report all unethical activities to supervisor, Corporate Compliance Office, Values Hotline number or Human Resource Director.
  • Comply with all OSHA and safety policies, practices, and procedures. Report all unsafe practices or accidents to supervisor, Safety Supervisor and/or OSHA Coordinator.
  • Will be compliant with the relevant regulations concerning the privacy and security of consumer's protected health information (PHI) as established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
  • Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
  • Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.
  • Follow all policies and procedures set by the Agency.

REQUIREMENTS
Essential Skills and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Education, Human Resources, Psychology, Social Work, Healthcare Administration or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in learning and development, workforce development, talent management, higher education partnerships, internship coordination, or employee development.

Essential Requirements for the Position:
  • Valid Tennessee Driver's License
  • Acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
  • Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation
  • Cell Phone

Core Competencies:
Leadership Skills
  • Ability to lead by example
  • Ability to make sound decisions quickly and decisively
  • Ability to motivate staff
  • Ability to identify strengths and weaknesses to provide coaching on professional growth areas
  • Is cool under pressure; does not become defensive or irritated when times are tough; can be counted on to hold things together during stressful times

Team Oriented
  • Assist teammates as needed
  • Creates and maintains a climate in which teammates want to do their best
  • Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of the team

Interpersonal Skills
  • Can negotiate skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups; can win concessions without damaging relationships; can be both direct and diplomatic

Customer Service
  • Internal & external customer service indicative of mutual respect & trust

Joint Commission Competencies:
  • Consumer Engagement - establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship via effective, appropriate communication and behaviors with consumers.
  • Actively participates in consultation process.
  • Complete all clinical documentation in specified time periods.
  • Demonstrates ability to work independently, to make critical decisions and to work collaboratively as an integral part of a team.
  • Demonstrates evidenced informed practice related to substance use disorders.
  • Demonstrates evidenced informed practice related to clinical care of children and youth.

Reporting to this Position:
  • N/A

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

BENEFITS
Mental Health Cooperative offers a full comprehensive benefit plan for you to participate in. The following products are available:
  • Medical Insurance/Prescription Drug Coverage
  • Health Savings Account
  • Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Short- & Long-Term Disability
  • Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Cancer, Accident, & Critical Illness Insurance
  • 403b - Retirement Plan
  • Calm App for medication and mental health
  • Gym membership discounts
  • Pet Insurance

Mental Health Cooperative embraces inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity. We're committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Mental Health Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

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