Program Specialist

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionThe San Diego Workforce Partnership is the leader for innovative workforce solutions in San Diego County. We fund and deliver job training programs that enable all job seekers to develop the skills and knowledge needed for in-demand careers. Our vision is that every business in our region has access to a skilled workforce and every job seeker has access to meaningful employment. We seek to earn trust and inspire growth in every action we take.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Programs Manager, the Program Specialist will contribute to the development, implementation, and maintenance of program service and special initiatives. This includes both private and publicly funded programs, such as those under the Workforce Investment & Opportunity Act (WIOA). The role focuses on aligning SDWP programs with the goal to improve employment, training, and supportive services for individuals facing employment barriers. The Program Specialist will collaborate internal partners, with industry partners, labor organizations, training providers, academic institutions, and community organizations to meet workforce development needs. They will ensure programs align with industry demands, fostering a competitive workforce for the County and City of San Diego. This individual largely functions autonomously and supports Workforce Partnership with the implementation of assigned training programs. Working hours vary based on the needs and availability of clients, which includes some nights and weekends as needed.

Essential Functions    

• Support the implementation, oversight and management of programmatic services and special initiatives ensuring they align with organizational goals and KPIs.
• Serve as a key focal point to coordinate and manage workforce development related programs with excellent project management skills.
• Assist in the establishment and/or maintenance of contractual oversight and relationships.
• Ensure the completion of enrollment documentation, meet program compliance guidelines, facilitate employment placements, make appropriate community referrals, schedule trainings and information sessions, and conduct participant evaluations.
• Serve as a point of contact for programs to assess individual needs, provide necessary supportive services, prepare and review program performance reports, participant activity and spending goals are met.
• Implement evidence-based programming such as Individual Placement Service (IPS) and performance-based contracting, integrating DEIA principles into program development.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors to support programmatic services and support client needs.
• Collaborate with interdepartmental team members to ensure team-based approach to meet program delivery with integrity and focused on client needs, ensuring the timely delivery of jobseeker support, career, and placement services.
• Represent the organization’s fiduciary interests, managing systems and operations with financial integrity.
• Ensure compliance with SDWP policies and procedures, overseeing the team’s understanding and implementation of relevant Operational Issuances.
• Understand the unique barriers program participants face and help them overcome these barriers.
• Provide career coaching to clients, communicating open opportunities, leading outreach and recruitment efforts, forming partnerships with community-based organizations, and supporting regular communication to relevant stakeholders.
• As needed, work with funded Subrecipients to provide technical assistance in the development of the client-centric career training, and placement opportunities.
• Prepare and present programs verbally or through written and/or graphic materials to a variety of groups including stakeholders, Workforce Partnership partners and community groups as required. 
• Collaborate with department management to create systems to measure, understand, and improve program performance, efficiency, quality and continuously improve programmatic processes of contracted activities and services.
• Prepare accurate programmatic reports, progress summaries, and detailed implementation plans to achieve successful outcomes.
• Conduct a collaborative, empathetic, client-centered approach to program and training design.
• Enhance employer relationships and partnerships to benefit participants, conducting program oversight, provide training, facilitate workshops, provide individualized services, and/or conduct outreach activities.
• Manage operational continuity resources and interdepartmental services, strategic execution implementation, and management of specialized services.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Job Requirements  

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration or a closely related field.
• Two to four (2-4) years’ direct service non-profit or government work related experience.
• Strategic and operational planning, decision making and execution of programs.
• Display knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations related to workforce development training programs funding.
• Excellent attention to detail and creative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and proficient communication skills.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with solid judgment.
• Ability to analyze data, research relevant trends to support program implementation, documentation and delivery.
• Excellent computer proficiency, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Fundamental Requirements

• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration or a related field.
• Three to five (3-5) years non-profit workforce and economic development work experience.
• Organizational Knowledge.
• Excellence in leadership, team dynamics and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with organized labor unions, construction industry sector business and training providers.
• Established connections within the energy construction and utilities field.
• Experience in facilitation of construction career pathway programs, established industry networks, and general knowledge of labor market trends.

Our Values 

Collaboration:  

Engaging in inclusive, respectful relationships among colleagues, customers and community that foster the achievement of shared goals. 

Excellence:  

Driving quality, innovation and measurable outcomes through a customer-centered focus and a high-performance culture. 

Stewardship:  

Strategic, efficient, effective use of resources to meet the evolving needs of our customers and community with the highest levels of integrity. 

Inclusion:  

Taking responsibility for creating a culture where everyone is welcomed, heard, valued and empowered to fully participate and reach their full potential.  

Equity:  

Prioritizing those who have been systemically denied opportunity through policies, priorities, practices, and behaviors that result in access to opportunity for ALL colleagues, customers, and communities. 

We Love to Take Care of Our Workforce Associates–

We offer a great work environment, a culture that values individuality and inclusion, collaborative and innovative teams, and a competitive pay and benefits package. Our benefits include: PTO, PTO sell-back program, generous employer-paid benefits (platinum plans), company-paid learning and professional development program, pension plan and 457 retirement plan additional employee wellness work driven by diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and activities committees. Compensation for this position ranges from $30.36-$43.98.

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. If you are hired at San Diego Workforce Partnership, your final base salary (within the pay range), will be determined based on factors such as education, knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members when determining any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer generous benefits and retirement plans.

At the Workforce Partnership, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, and the work that we do in the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace for all. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

San Diego Workforce Partnership is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

#WorkplaceDiversity #DiversityandInclusion #Diversity #Belonging #Workculture #DEIA #DiversityMatters #GenderEquality #InclusionMatters #DeservingExperiencedIndividual

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