Assistant Director of Workforce Development

Title: Assistant Director of Workforce DevelopmentProgram: Youth Action Youth BuildLocation: New York, NY (East Harlem)Reports to: Director of ProgramsEmployment Type: Full-time, exempt level, Work Force leadership position,with some supervisory responsibilities. Full COVID-19 vaccination required.Position Start: Immediate OpeningSalary: 62,000-68,000

Program Description: Youth Action Youth Build East Harlem (YAYB) is committed to helping young adults become dedicated, responsible, educated, accountable, motivated and self-sufficient, by assisting participants to attain their HSE’s, prepare for post-secondary education, gain industry credentials, develop themselves as leaders, connect to the community and secure sustainable employment, particularly in the areas of construction, the food economy and the building trades. In the nine-month Youth Build program, low-income young people work toward their HSE certification, learn job skills, serve their communities by building and/or renovating affordable housing, and transform their own lives and roles in society with the support of caring adults who believe in their potential for success.

The Youth Action Youth Build program consists of the following components: Education (HSE classes, college preparation and placement assistance); Career Pathway and Vocation Training (construction, food jobs, building science training, certifications, job readiness preparation, paid internships and job placement assistance) and Personal Development (life skills classes, self-development counseling, mentoring, leadership, community service and alumni activities).

Position Summary: Reporting to the Director of Programs, The Assistant Director of Workforce Development exercises significant discretion in overseeing all aspects of employment services for all current and former participants of Youth Action Youth Build East Harlem and other Youth Action-affiliated programs and services. The primary responsibilities are the development of viable career pathways that link vocational training to educational trajectories, job readiness, career exploration, employer outreach, internships and work experience, employment placement, and reporting.

The Assistant Director of Workforce Development supervises the Workforce Coordinator and workforce program interns. S/he interacts with staff members, employers, educational institutions, public agencies & workforce system personnel, community representatives and partners, and service systems.

The Assistant Director of Workforce Development ensures that there are viable and relevant opportunities to place YAYB program graduates and alumni in meaningful jobs and careers trajectories along with the requisite varied supports. S/he establishes an effective system to assess and measure participant workforce preparation and readiness, and tracking of student outcomes. The Assistant Director of Workforce Development builds workforce partnerships throughout NYC, but especially in the Upper Manhattan community. They are responsible for achieving all relevant funding contractual goals, performance measures, and reporting requirements. This position also ensures alumni development through close coordination with the Service and Follow-up Coordinator and other program staff as needed.

Responsibilities:● Promote and develop viable career pathway strategies and programming that link YAYB participants to emerging opportunities for sustainable careers with advancing wages and educational attainment.● Promote and develop employment and on-the-job training opportunities/internships for participants.● Demonstrate to employers the effectiveness and profitability of employing opportunity youth by identifying jobs that participants could perform.● Supervise the Workforce Coordinator, directing his/her assignments, work schedule, and annual assessment/performance appraisal.● Secure leads for participant part-or full-time job placement and internship opportunities.● Work with employer partners to successfully on board, assess, trouble shoot and retain YAYB placements.● Provide follow-up support to program graduates and record their career progress.● Oversee the maintenance of required documentation, case records, logs according to established guidelines (DOL, DYB, and other funding sources).● Develop special projects (e.g.: Professional Development Days, Job/Internship Fairs, Service Projects, field trips, etc.) in conjunction with the Workforce Coordinator.● Oversee the management of the WPP Job Up internship program for current participants.● Oversee the effective implementation and management of all workforce development programs/vocational training offerings● Supports the development of new vocational/career pathway programs and thedevelopment of related funding proposals with additional responsibilities in grant writing.● Track employment data trends.● Attend all staff meetings, case conferencing sessions, and all other applicable agency meetings.● Provide reports as needed on participant progress and employer engagement with the support of the Workforce Programs Coordinator as requested by leadership and/or grant/funder reports.● Serves on the agency’s Continuity of Operations Team as directed by the ED.● Supports agency-wide events and initiatives.● All other duties as assigned by the program’s leadership.

Minimum Qualifications and Other Requirements● Associate’s Degree and/or 3-5 years’ experience in the employment/work readiness field.● Previous experience working with youth in a community-based setting, using a positive youth development approach.● Understanding of the field of career counseling, youth employment, and workforce development preparation.● Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills. The ability to relate to a wide range of issues, people, and institutions.● Ability to supervise and develop staff, as well as work independently and as part of a team.● Exceptional planning, organizing, and multitasking skills along with good attention to detail.● The ability to set and follow through on priorities and demonstrate great time management skills.● Strong written and verbal communication skills.● The ability to facilitate and supervise up to 30 young adults between the ages of 17-24.● Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel.● Flexibility to travel for occasional grant-related conferences or program-related excursions.● Strong commitment to helping young people succeed in an innovative training program to reorient their lives, nurture their leadership skills, and enable them to make a difference in their community.● Experience developing administrative systems and programs is preferred.● Ability to work some evenings and occasional weekends.● Ability to establish effective and positive relationships with employers, staff, participants, and alumni.● Ability to pass a background check.

Reporting: The Assistant Director of Workforce Development will report to the Director of Programs.

Program Hours: Generally, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Occasional weekend and overnight hours may be required.