A job developer is a human resources and marketing professional. Found within social service agencies both in the private and public sectors, he is responsible for creating job opportunities for clients of his organization by researching, identifying and soliciting commitments from possible sources of employment. Additionally, he may also provide clients with soft skills training.

Job Responsibilities

Reaching out to former corporate contacts, as well as seeking out new corporate partners, a job developer actively researches potential job opportunities for her client base. Through the use of outreach and marketing strategies developed by her manager, she effectively develops and maintains relationships with prospective employers throughout the community. Providing soft skills training to her clients in both group and one-on-one settings, she coaches them within areas such as interview skills, corporate attire and professional etiquette. She documents all client progress.

Once a client has been placed, the job developer routinely checks in with both the client and employer. Serving as intermediary performance manager, she relays both positive and negative feedback between the two parties for a predetermined length of time. In the event that the placement does not work out, the client may be required, based on the feedback of his former employer, to participate in additional training prior to being sent out on new interviews.

Job Opportunities

Because it is important for a job developer to be able work with the population his employer serves, many social service organizations hire former clients for this role. They may also post openings on Internet job boards and in newspaper classifieds. Additionally, many employment resources exist for job seekers in the nonprofit sector including idealist.org as well as staffing firms. Candidates seeking work with a government agency should apply directly to them.

Qualitative Requirements

A job developer must be an excellent verbal and written communicator, comfortable presenting in front of a group of individuals. The ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize will also come in handy during busy periods. Many organizations prefer bilingual candidates, particularly if they serve an immigrant community. Because an organization's funding is usually directly tied to the number of jobs seekers placed, a person in this role must be self-motivated and able to meet a predetermined quota.

Educational Requirements

A job developer is typically not required to possess a four-year degree. Most important is the ability to work well with individuals within the demographic that the organization serves. Additionally, prospective candidates must be proficient in basic office software such as Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Word, Excel). These skills can be obtained through courses that are given at community colleges and proprietary schools such as the Lincoln Technical Institute. Additionally, many public libraries offer courses in basic computer office software. A candidate may also be required to successfully pass criminal background and drug screenings.

Employment Growth & Average Compensation

The United States Department of Labor estimates 17 percent job growth within human resources occupations through 2016. A typical job developer working in the United States, according to Salary.com, makes a yearly income of $37,166, as of 2009.