What are the responsibilities and job description for the Workforce Development Program Director (FT) position at City of Brooklyn Park?
BrookLynk, a youth and workforce development training program runs collaboratively by the cities of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, and is looking for an energetic, passionate leader who has experience building and maintaining an effective, youth-centered, workforce development/youth development program.
Through a Joint Powers Agreement, this position plays a key role in helping the cities of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center live out their visions to increase economic development outcomes for residents. The Workforce Development Director advances innovative projects, programs, and services to economic development with a unique focus on workforce development, business engagement, and youth services. Collaborates closely with the Community Development Directors of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center and the BrookLynk Advisory Committee and provides strategic leadership and administrative support.
Bachelor’s degree in Youth & Family Development, Education, Human Services, Social Work, Public Policy, or another related field.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience which includes managing grant contracts and programs for youth and young adults ages 14-24.
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.
Licenses/Certifications
Valid driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesBackground Check
The City has determined that a City of Brooklyn Park Police Department criminal background check and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension check are necessary for positions with this job title. Applicants must sign an informed consent allowing the City to obtain their criminal history information in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be considered for the position.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.
Our Vision, Values, and Goals
Department/Division: Community Development/Economic Development and Housing
Anticipated hiring wage: $107,764 - $120,000, depending on qualifications
Through a Joint Powers Agreement, this position plays a key role in helping the cities of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center live out their visions to increase economic development outcomes for residents. The Workforce Development Director advances innovative projects, programs, and services to economic development with a unique focus on workforce development, business engagement, and youth services. Collaborates closely with the Community Development Directors of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center and the BrookLynk Advisory Committee and provides strategic leadership and administrative support.
This position is responsible for the oversight of the two cities shared workforce development division with a team of up to eight staff who are responsible for the delivery of workforce development programs and services.
- Oversee workforce development programs by designing, evaluating, and implementing initiatives that support economic growth and job opportunities.
- Manage division finances by overseeing budgets, including pursuit and management of grant funds and special project allocations, to ensure responsible and effective use of resources.
- Collaborate with city leadership to shape policies and strategies that align with the city's mission, goals, and the Economic Development Authority (EDA).
- Lead and develop a high-performing team by providing day-to-day management and mentoring to staff, while also being responsible for hiring, training, and evaluating team members to ensure successful program execution.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with city leaders, businesses, and community organizations to enhance workforce initiatives.
- Support both Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center by delivering impactful workforce programs across both cities to foster and grow employers who participate in the program.
- Ensure effective team operations by assigning responsibilities, balancing workloads, and optimizing productivity.
- Assist Community Development Director on financial planning and the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for the department.
- Provide support and direction to City boards and commissions, ensuring workforce development aligns with broader community goals.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Bachelor’s degree in Youth & Family Development, Education, Human Services, Social Work, Public Policy, or another related field.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience which includes managing grant contracts and programs for youth and young adults ages 14-24.
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.
Licenses/Certifications
Valid driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Extensive knowledge of workforce trends at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
- Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with youth, community partners, contractors and employees.
- Strong research, analytical, and problems solving skills.
- Previous experience organizing meetings, co-facilitating groups and leading boards/committees
- Excellent project management skills, prioritization, and delegation skills.
- Previous experience with setting and maintaining budgets and fundraising/grant writing
- Ability to communicate and present municipal projects to the general public and other community groups in a straightforward and understandable manner.
- Verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences, and reading comprehension skills
sufficient to read, understand and interpret varied work-related materials. - Skill in using personal computer software including MS Office.
- Knowledge of governmental practices and policies.
- Ability to professionally exhibit cultural sensitivity, patience, and understanding in the course of work duties.
- Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets/exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.
- Proven ability and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Demonstrated cultural competence and comfort with supporting the city’s strategic objectives for advancing racial equity.
- Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.
- Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.
- Master's degree in related field.
- Extensive experience managing local, state, federal or county grants.
- Knowledge of and familiarity with the Brooklyn Park community and geography.
- Proven effectiveness in project or program management, including budgeting/fundraising, grant writing and management, managing staff/interns, and committee/board management.
- Alumni of a workforce development program like Step-Up, Right Track, BrookLynk, or other program.
- Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Lao or Vietnamese language(s)
- Experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
Working Conditions:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to fully and safely perform the essential duties.
Core business hours are set by departments based on operational needs. Alternative schedules can be arranged, but must comply with the City’s Alternative Work Arrangement policy.
This is a full time, exempt, non-union position. Weekend and night meetings are required.
Prolonged periods of standing, bending, sitting, stooping, kneeling, climbing
Most work is performed in a normal office environment. Occasional driving is required to visit field sites or attend meetings (about once per week). The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue.
Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 25 pounds occasionally.
There are intermittent visits to visit locations in other areas of the city.
There is a need to deliver information, which may involve public speaking in front of groups impacted by projects.
Work interruptions are frequent.
The City has determined that a City of Brooklyn Park Police Department criminal background check and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension check are necessary for positions with this job title. Applicants must sign an informed consent allowing the City to obtain their criminal history information in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be considered for the position.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.
Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Fifty-four percent of residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.
Our Vision, Values, and Goals
Department/Division: Community Development/Economic Development and Housing
Anticipated hiring wage: $107,764 - $120,000, depending on qualifications
Salary : $107,765 - $145,787
