Senior Director of Workforce and Partner Engagement

About First Step Staffing

First Step Staffing is an employment social enterprise that aims to open the door to economic opportunity for all who face barriers to employment. First Step provides immediate employment, transportation to and from work and connection to critical supports, especially housing. The goal is to help individuals take the First Step out of poverty and homelessness, into self-sufficiency.

Our Core Values

First Step Staffing is an organization of compassionate and dedicated individuals that removes complex barriers and creates equality in our community. We want each individual to walk away empowered and knowing that they matter.

We are a team of courageous doers that gets things done by inspiring each other, supporting one another, and growing creatively together.

We believe prioritizing balance, teamwork, and flexibility is essential to meeting the needs of all we serve : our clients, our partners, our customers, and our team.

We believe in taking an audacious approach to the traditional staffing and disability services model that uplifts our financial goals while simultaneously empowering those with barriers to opportunity and income.

Position Summary :

Through the direction of the Vice President, Retention Services, implement workforce training programs, and oversee housing and client resource navigation support service functions. Establish and manage consistent, key performance and client success indicators as in relation to client resource navigation services. Work in coordination with the VP / General Manager , VP / Retention Services and Senior Fundraising Director, along with key operations staff to identify and track retention rates for clients receiving support services. Identify and pursue strategic partnerships and alliances with key organizations to successful implement programs.

This role coordinates activities and functions to ensure the objectives for the program are accomplished in line with established priorities, time lines, budget, and other specifications. This role conducts program and data tracking, analysis & reporting, and implements processes and improvements to ensure successful and sustainable deployment of programs and satisfaction of our nonprofit partners.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Partnership Relations

i. Maintain established partner organization relationships and act as liaison between the organization and FSS, Northeast Region

ii. Recruit and retain partner organizations

iii. Monitor partner satisfaction and provide data on impact as needed

iv. Leverage data to strengthen partnerships and programs

v. Present First Step Staffing at community and partnership events

vi. Serve as the Lead for our Justice Impacted Partner

b. Administration

i. Performs on-going follow up / client management and maintains follow-up contact with the Support Service participants to ensure services that are offered and request to address any barriers to employment that are within the contract.

ii. Track data collected for enrollments, assessment and eligible program participants.

iii. Identifying clients that are program eligible, explain program benefits and requirements.;

iv. Complete Employment Development plans, code and input data.

v. Update data in appropriate databases in accurate and timely manner so as to avoid backlogging

vi. Develop the Partner Engagement Program guidelines and procedures to be scaled in all First Step markets

vii. Organize training sessions for internal First Step staff, including job coaches and onsite managers, on partner relationships and resources

viii. Participate in weekly, monthly, and community meetings (as required)

ix. Act as an additional support staff for First Step clients, particularly to provide out going referrals to partner organizations to include some of the following services : housing, mental health, substance abuse, ID procurement, food and clothing, childcare, legal services and banking resources and others as appropriate life sustaining resources.

x. Process and resolve data inquiries by searching and reviewing the databases.

xi. Enter and update files into Excel spreadsheets.

xii. Other duties as assigned by leadership

c. Workforce Training

i. Maintain established training and certification partner relationships.

ii. Recruit and retain new training and certification partners.

iii. Recruit eligible clients, explain program benefits and requirements, and assist them with application process.

iv. In collaboration with training provider, ensure employer partners are established for eligible graduates.

v. Conduct routine follow-up to track client job placement, wages, and retention.

d. Management

i. Oversee Resource Navigation staff that provide services to include : housing, mental health, substance abuse, ID procurement, food and clothing, childcare, legal services and banking resources and others as appropriate life sustaining resources.

ii. Cross share learnings and resources with support service staff in other markets

iii. Oversee SNAP E& T administrative assistant duties as it relates to identifying and enrolling eligible clients into the program.

Qualifications :

5 years prior work experience, preferably in program planning and partner engagement

Two or more years experience working with the homeless, and / or justice impacted population in career services, or work force development preferred

Must have experience working with justice impacted populations and social service non profit organizations

High attention to detail

Must possess good organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, and be able to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously.

Superior organizational, time management and customer service skills

Collaborative and diplomatic relationship style; promotes respect and practice of civility and inclusivity in the workplace

Must be a self-starter

Staffing industry experience, a plus

Ability to work with accuracy.

Bi Lingual in English and Spanish Preferred

Access to reliable personal transportation, valid Drivers License, and acceptable MVR.

Shift hours are typically 8 : 00am-4 : 00pm, M-F, but will require periodic earlier hours, evening and weekend hours during seasonal demand periods.

Physical requirements include sitting for long periods in an office environment, standing / walking for long periods on job sites, lifting supplies from 10-25lbs without assistance.