Education and Training Manager

GENERAL FUNCTIONS 

The Education and Training Manager oversees a team of Career Training Specialists, ensuring that the program and platform learning are aligned with industry standards and remain current. This role is pivotal in ensuring a smooth and efficient intake process for new participants and managing the quarterly and semesterly check-ins to ensure participants are on track with their career development goals. The manager will focus on maintaining the quality and relevance of educational content, supporting professional development and upskilling opportunities, and ensuring the program effectively addresses the needs of participants as they prepare for successful careers.

I. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Oversee and manage Career Training Specialists, ensuring alignment with division goals and organizational strategy.
·       Ensure the delivery of high-quality education and training that aligns with industry standards.

·       Regularly evaluate and update program content and platform learning materials to reflect industry trends and best practices.

·       Monitor industry trends to identify emerging skills, certifications, or technologies that should be incorporated into the training program to ensure participants are prepared for the future workforce.

·       Collaborate with external partners and industry experts to maintain relevant, employer-aligned training content.

·       Support programming related to the organization's five educational pathways: technology, healthcare, business, skilled trades, and human services.

·       Develop strategies for recruiting new participants through effective marketing, outreach, and partnerships.

·       Ensure all training programs are evidence-based and meet the required standards, certifications, and competencies demanded by the industry.

·       Oversee the intake process for new participants, ensuring smooth and efficient enrollment and onboarding with clear communication and support.
·       Manage the quarterly and semesterly check-in process, including reviewing 30- 60-90 Day check-ins and Individual Development Plans (IDPs), ensuring participants' progress toward career and education goals.

·       Lead efforts to create and maintain a welcoming environment for participants, ensuring they feel supported in their career training and development journey.
·       Serve as the primary facilitator in providing 5 Keys Classes authorized by the Nebraska Department of Corrections to support justice-impacted community members in their personal development and reintegration efforts.
·       Provide a holistic continuum of care by ensuring access to resources, emotional support, and skills development for justice-impacted individuals.
·       Co-facilitate quarterly Alumni Events for justice-impacted community members to foster engagement and ongoing support.

·       Support the launch of the Wellness Exchange and Food Nutrition Program, promoting healthy lifestyle choices among participants.

·       Overseeing the Nutritionist, teach justice-impacted community members how to prepare healthy, nutrient-dense meals on a budget.

·       Facilitate workshops and hands-on learning experiences focused on meal planning, nutrition education, and budgeting for food security.

·       Support and/or lead meditation and mindfulness sessions to teach coping skills and support overall mental well-being.

·       Collaborate with internal and external partners to expand access to wellness and nutrition resources for participants.

·       Lead and advocate for an arts program designed to support Center for People community members experiencing PTSD and trauma, fostering self-efficacy, self-expression, and self-soothing through creative engagement.

·       Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and continuous professional development of Career Training Specialists to ensure high-quality instruction and participant support.

·       Provide coaching and guidance to ensure team members meet and exceed performance expectations based on scorecard goals and key performance indicators (KPIs).

·       Regularly review individual and team scorecards, offering feedback, support, and professional development opportunities.

·       Implement strategies to enhance performance, address challenges, and foster a results-driven culture.

·       Utilize performance metrics to inform program enhancements, resource allocation, and staff development.

·       Track and report program outcomes, collecting data on participant progress to assess impact.

·       Collect and report longitudinal data on program impact for storytelling, grant writing, and reporting to stakeholders.

·       Oversee the POP Scholarship Program, ensuring eligible participants are supported and scholarship resources are allocated effectively.

·       Continuously review and improve the intake process to align with program goals and organizational objectives.

·       Oversee educational platforms offered at the Center for People, consistently reviewing availability, content, and reports.

·       Oversee and conduct Education Department-related events such as Housing Fairs, Milestone Celebrations, and other relevant gatherings.
·       Operate within the guidelines of all contracts, government regulations, and Center for People policies and procedures.

·       Support the strategic leadership team by providing insights into training effectiveness and areas for improvement.

·       Participate in the annual budget process, ensuring efficient resource allocation for program and department needs.

·       Advocate for key legislation aligned with the Center for People’s mission by researching, monitoring, and analyzing policy issues.

·       Remain informed about shifting political and environmental trends to anticipate and influence potential program impacts.

·       Develop strategies to engage government stakeholders in advancing legislative goals.

·       Support strategic leadership by providing feedback and insights to affirm organizational goals.

·       Manage budget-approved targets for workforce development programs.

·       Demonstrate high integrity and maintain ethical professional boundaries in all interactions with team members and program participants.

·       Maintain a flexible work schedule to meet organizational needs, including occasional evening and weekend hours to support special events and programming.

·       Perform other duties as assigned.

 
II.    REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

●     Strong interpersonal and communication skills; both verbal and written, including communicating with a wide variety of stakeholders

●     Strong leadership skills that can be leveraged in a collaborative setting
●     Must be able to proactively think, plan, and execute resourcefully
●     Must be able to solve problems and be solution-oriented
●     Ability to work independently and to handle multiple projects and priorities
●     Proficiency in programs including but not limited to Word, Excel, Outlook, Interplay Learning, GoSkills, Coursera, and Penn Foster
●     Willingness and ability to learn new software programs
●     Ability to receive constructive feedback
●     Ability to take personal accountability for fulfilling job responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative and ownership of personal
●     Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with internal and external stakeholders

●     Skilled at possessing professionalism, courtesy, tact, and sound judgement

 
III.            DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
·       Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Organizational Development, or related field preferred, OR a minimum of 2 years of work experience in supervision, case management, career or education counseling, or related field. 
·      Valid Nebraska driver’s license and current motor vehicle insurance.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
●      Graduation from a senior high school or equivalent
●      Must 18 years of age

IV.  WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, frequently is required to sit, occasionally to stand; walk; arms reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally move up to 30 pounds regularly. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus when operating a computer, working with numbers, and use of forklift and other heavy machinery. Work is primarily in an indoor setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.