** Archive **
WIAPL 13-04 (Mandate Use of OhioMeansJobs.com for Job Placement and Referral Activities in Ohio)
Workforce Investment Act Policy Letter No. 13-04
December 26, 2013
TO: Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), Fiscal Agents, Administrative Entities, and OhioMeansJobs Center Operators
FROM: Cynthia C. Dungey, Director
SUBJECT: Mandate Use of OhioMeansJobs.com for Job Placement and Referral Activities in Ohio

I.Purpose

This policy describes the labor exchange system utilized in Ohio to help Ohioans the ability to locate employment throughout the state and to aid employers in finding qualified employees with a mandated system all labor exchange, including job placement and referral activities.

II.Effective Date

Feb. 1, 2014

III.Background

OhioMeansJobs.com is Ohio's labor exchange system aiding employers in finding qualified talent and helping job seekers in Ohio locate employment throughout the state. The labor exchange system is defined as job placement activities and resume posting for job seekers. The system assists employers with their talent acquisition needs statewide and nationally. The system also supports job seekers with job matching capability as well as information about career choices, job fairs, and training opportunities.

IV.Requirements

Legislation signed by Governor Kasich on June 27, 2013, requires that OhioMeansJobs.com be utilized for labor exchange activities, which include job placement activities and resume posting for job seekers. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) provides labor exchange activities and services for job seekers and employers. Staff from the ODJFS programs and partners under contract with ODJFS, who receive ODJFS funding are required to utilize OhioMeansJobs.com for labor exchange activities for the state of Ohio. Labor exchange activities for the purposes of this policy are the posting of resumes and jobs and searching for resumes and jobs. Any placement activity must continue to be recorded in Ohio's Workforce Case Management System (OWCMS). State partners who may be impacted by this policy include, but may not be limited to, those providing Wagner-Peyser and veteran's services, and those working in local workforce investment areas, OhioMeansJobs Centers, county departments of job and family services, county children's services agencies and county child support enforcement agencies.

A.OhioMeansJobs Center Operators and Staff and ODJFS Program Staff

As with existing policy at the federal level through the Jobs for Veterans Act, with all things being equal, veterans receive priority over non-veterans for access to any and all program services.

All staff who provide staff-assisted services for job seekers and employers must have access to the labor exchange functions in OhioMeansJobs.com. Staff performing the job order taking functions must be trained and knowledgeable in the use of the OhioMeansJobs.com system.

OhioMeansJobs Center staff providing labor exchange and business services will advise employers on the best methods when using the labor exchange system to maximize their efforts in hiring qualified applicants. It is critical that staff ensure job orders meet federal and state laws and requirements since this is a publicly funded labor exchange system.

OhioMeansJobs Center staff must ensure all job seekers will be able to obtain meaningful and equivalent access to job matching services, (including individuals with disabilities or individuals who have limited English proficiency or are computer-illiterate), in posting a resume, obtaining information on job openings posted in the job matching system, labor market information, and employment and training opportunities by one or more of the following methods:

1.Viewing online information available on the Internet;

2.Registering directly over the Internet using the Internet-based job matching system at http://www.ohiomeansjobs.com or its successor website;

3.Calling or visiting any OhioMeansJobs Center in Ohio; or

4.Through any other means approved by the local Workforce Investment Board in consultation with OhioMeansJobs Center and labor exchange staff located in its local workforce investment area.

V.Considerations

Opportunities may be available to use alternative labor exchange systems to coordinate with OhioMeansJobs.com. If an alternate labor exchange system will be utilized, the terms of this policy must be adhered to as well as interfacing all required data to OhioMeansJobs.com or the state of Ohio.

A waiver may be an option to continue to use a locally owned labor exchange system. Waivers will be approved on a case by case basis. When considering a waiver, local areas need to take into consideration how resources to fund your local system could adversely affect services to participants. Local areas can request the waiver template and submit waiver requests to ohiomeansjobs@jfs.ohio.gov. The subject of the email should read, "OMJ Waiver".

VI.Technical Assistance

For additional information, you may send your questions to ODJFS, Office of Workforce Development: WIAQNA@JFS.OHIO.GOV.

VII.References

Sub. HB 1

Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-220.

Final Rules, 20 C.F.R., Part 652 et al. (2000).

Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, as amended 1998.

Rescissions: None