Veteran Workforce Services Specialist

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9. While the Department of Commerce welcomes all candidates legally eligible to work in the United States, Commerce does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: Kansas Department of Commerce participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here. For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here.

Agency Information:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

The Kansas Department of Commerce administers the KANSASWORKS workforce system, which links businesses, job seekers, educational institutions and training providers to ensure the state’s workforce is equipped to meet industry needs.

Learn more at kansascommerce.gov

About the Position

Position Description

Who can apply: Open to all (Previous candidates need not apply)

Classified/Unclassified Service: Classified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Location: Garden City, KS

Job Posting closes: August 19, 2026

Compensation: $21.87 hourly

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Veterans Workforce Services Specialist provides case management to assist veterans and other eligible job seekers in achieving employment goals. Delivers targeted services to Unemployment Insurance claimants at risk of exhausting benefits. Conducts outreach to identify and engage eligible veterans, maintains a presence at workforce events, and serves as a liaison with employers to promote and expand the use of Workforce Center services and programs.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides overview of Workforce services to customers
• Performs detailed intake and comprehensive assessment interviews to determine job seeker’s education, interests, work history, barriers to employment, economic and family status, and career goals
• Assists customers with job searches, resume and cover letter preparation, completing applications for employment, holds mock interviews with customers, and educates customer on interviewing techniques
• Provides customers information about program services, job requirements, occupational opportunities, and training programs and makes referrals to appropriate partner services
• Maintains electronic case file in KANSASWORKS.com for each participant in accordance with federal and state policies, procedures, regulations and guidelines
• Provides case management services for Unemployment Insurance claimants identified as likely to exhaust benefits
• Conducts outreach activities, for the purpose of locating, identifying and seeking referrals of eligible veterans
• Maintains a presence at the Workforce services booth at a local job or resource fair.
• Solicits new employers to utilize Workforce services and programs.
• Performs intake process with new employers to create account and determine the employer’s needs

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• One (1) year of experience in planning, implementing and monitoring activities relevant to Workforce Center clients (e.g. career counseling, job placement, recruitment, assessment and deployment of staff) or similar related experience.
• Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.
• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Driver License and ability to travel to communities throughout the local area or other assigned locales. On rare occasions, overnight travel will be required.
• Ability to gain access to military installations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One (1) year of professional experience providing employment, case management, or workforce development services to veterans, eligible persons, or military-connected individuals.
• Certification by National Veterans’ Training Institute a plus; however, new employees are mandated to complete this training within 18 months of hire.
• Bi-lingual a plus, but not required

Special Qualifications:

DVOP Hiring priority is based on the categories below, as annotated in 38 U.S.C. 4103a(a)

(A) Special disabled veterans.

(B) Other disabled veterans.

(C) Other eligible veterans

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/Default.aspx .

If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at (785) 296-3199 or by email at kdor_[email protected]

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Angie Krahe

Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address: 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete.

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to [email protected], or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.