What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager, Workforce Development Programs position at WSSC Water?
This is a non-merit system, employment-at-will, long-term contract position. The contract period will not exceed 3 years.
WSSC Water, in partnership with the City of Baltimore Department of Public Works, seeks a Program Manager, Workforce Development Programs to lead the Chesapeake Water Workforce Network (CWWN), addressing workforce shortages in water utilities. The role focuses on creating equitable career pathways, managing partnerships, ensuring grant compliance, and promoting sustainability and economic opportunities in under-served communities.
WSSC Water, in partnership with the City of Baltimore Department of Public Works, seeks a Program Manager, Workforce Development Programs to lead the Chesapeake Water Workforce Network (CWWN), addressing workforce shortages in water utilities. The role focuses on creating equitable career pathways, managing partnerships, ensuring grant compliance, and promoting sustainability and economic opportunities in under-served communities.
Essential Functions
- Program Leadership and Strategic Planning:
- Oversee the development and implementation of the CWWN, including its strategic plan and framework.
- Coordinate with Baltimore DPW, WSSC Water, and other partners to define program goals, outputs, and outcomes.
- Facilitate program kick-offs, strategic planning workshops, and regular progress meetings.
- Stakeholder Coordination:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for Baltimore DPW and WSSC Water with all sub-awardees.
- Coordinate activities with sub-awardees and assist workforce development sub-awardees in creating training programs.
- Prepare memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with sub-awardees to outline roles and responsibilities.
- Financial Management and Reporting:
- Develop and manage the annual workforce development budget.
- Track program finances and prepare financial and performance reports in accordance with EPA grant requirements.
- Ensure compliance with funding guidelines and timelines.
- Workforce Outreach and Public Awareness:
- Develop and execute a workforce development outreach program, including culturally sensitive advertising campaigns and promotional materials.
- Coordinate advertisement activities, attend community events, and manage a centralized website for job postings and career resources.
- Training and Career Development:
- Collaborate with educational institutions to deliver technical and soft-skills training, including resume writing, interview preparation, and workplace etiquette.
- Support internships and additional training for candidates and current staff to enhance career advancement opportunities.
- Program Monitoring and Communication:
- Present monthly workforce development program updates to Baltimore DPW and WSSC Water.
- Develop and maintain consistent communication with stakeholders, ensuring program alignment and transparency.
- Host listening sessions with communities to identify barriers and tailor outreach efforts effectively.
- Best Practices and Knowledge Sharing:
- Document and share best practices, lessons learned, and program materials locally and nationally.
- Work collaboratively with partners to expand the CWWN framework beyond the initial scope.
Other Functions
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Environment And Physical Demands
Business casual office setting.
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Public Workforce Development System: Knowledge of the public workforce development framework from the federal to the local level, including funding availability.
- Workforce Development: Knowledge of workforce development strategies preferably in the water sector.
- Partnership Building: Ability to foster collaboration with government agencies, community organizations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.
- Equity Focus: Strong understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and their application in workforce development.
- Water Sector Knowledge: Familiarity with water, wastewater, and stormwater systems is preferred.
- Grant Writing and Management: Experience with pursuing, and management of, federal grant requirements, reporting, and compliance, particularly EPA grants.
- Strategic Planning: Skills in developing scalable and sustainable program frameworks.
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder engagement and reporting.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to address systemic challenges and implement innovative solutions.
- Leadership: Proven leadership in managing teams and driving initiatives to successful outcomes.
Minimum Education, Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration or similar degree or a high school diploma or equivalency. If the applicant does not have degree, 4 more years of work experience is added to experience requirement.
- A minimum of 10 years’ experience in workforce development, learning and development or similar field professional training organization or program including:
- 5 years’ experience working with local water/wastewater utilities, workforce development organizations or academic institutions and
- 5 years of experience in grants management
