Workforce Development Lead

Description

SGA provides a wide range of social services in some of Chicago's most challenged and consistently underserved communities and creates long-term and community-wide change.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

• Responsible for the overall performance and implementation and structure of the IYIP Illinois Youth Investment Program.  
• Work with Cook County NFPs, school districts, and Juvenile Justice partners and create linkages for youth in programs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with program partners and funders.
• Assists with recruiting and retaining youth into employability skills training, subsidized placement, and long-term employment. 
• Works with Coordinator to develop and implement an employer engagement strategy to develop subsidized and unsubsidized work experiences for youth between the ages of 16 and 24. General range of youth to be placed is 100.
• Subsidized work experiences include short term placement where youth gain technical skills in specific industry and SGA offers payment directly to youth. Documentation is required from each placement that includes agreement, job description, and safety checklist. 
• Unsubsidized placement includes both part- and full-time employment. Employment Verifications must be collected by employer/youth. 
• Develops employer engagement in high demand industries and career pathways. 
• Utilizes Illinois WorkNet Information and Target Occupational Profiles to target employer relationships and potential openings.
• Markets, recruits and maintains relationships with employers that will expose youth to long-term career and education opportunities. 
• Works with Academic Specialist/Mentor and youth to develop an Individualized Service Plan to address areas for improvement; assists with employment placements for specific career goals. 
• Works with SGA leadership to develop and implement hiring events and job fairs for youth. 
• Works with other youth advocates, justice system representatives, etc. to help support youth remain in compliance of all mandates.
• Co-facilitates employability skills training for all youth that will lead to gainful employment.
• Works in collaboration within the targeted communities to cultivate relationships with local community resources.
• Reaches out and re-engage youth that have inconsistent attendance, work with families to bring resources to the home, and connect with programs.
• Conducts Home Visits.
• Transporting students in vehicle to and from program related activities may be required.
• Implements other services requested by SGA.
• Develops relationships in the community and Chicago for worksite placement for youth, enrichment opportunities.
• Conducts required reports and data material to SGA such as the Employability and Life Skills Assessment.
• Collaborate with personnel from relevant agencies/schools/churches/communities.
• Organize and facilitate regular team meetings for program staff.
• Responsible for the hiring of staff and annual evaluation of staff performance.
• Maintain and balance program budget with the assistance of the Senior Director of Programs and Director of Youth and Community Initiatives. 
• Develop and implement reports, presentations, and advertising for the program.
• Manage all program paperwork and reports to respective funders, arrangement team, and other partners.
• Provide reflective supervision, coach and mentor the staff to ensure the implementation of the education programs within the department reflects the respective funder’s philosophy and curriculum; promote and support professional development of the education staff.
• Ensure all assigned program reports are completed and submitted on a timely basis.
• Ensure all mandates of IYIP performance standards are met.
• Ensure all confidential information is protected.
• Participate in on-going training and staff development provided by funders, Program Managers, other consultants, workshops and conferences.
• The employee contributes with the Agency’s efforts related to prevention and integrated service delivery with other community providers. The employee is actively involved and knowledgeable of the Agency’s Continuous Quality Improvement Activities.
• Support and contribute to inter-system collaboration with other service providers to improve social service delivery systems.
• Represent the program at Department and Partner meetings.
• Develop program policies, service delivery plans and ongoing monitoring of program quality.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree preferred. 

Experience:

• a minimum of 5 years’ experience supervision/administration is required.

Other: 

• Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required.
• Ability to communicate and cooperate with diverse families, various professionals, and community groups. 
•  Demonstrates leadership abilities and abilities to utilize reflective supervision Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees or the organization. Exercises discretion and independent judgment in executing tasks. 

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Competent in Microsoft Office tools and inputting services in an online database. 
• Valid Driver’s License and Automobile Insurance.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to remain stationary 50% of the time. 
• Must be able to frequently move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.  
• Must be able to transport oneself to and from work sites. 
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs. 
• Constantly moves to assist during program activities.
• Frequently moves desks, chairs, tables and easels. 
• At times may be required to lift up to 25 lbs. for various classrooms and event’s needs. 
• Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions.  
• Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. 

This job description is subject to change at any time.