Job Summary
This position provides leadership in the overall management of workforce development initiatives across the Southeast Tennessee Local Workforce Area. The role requires a strong understanding of the organization’s structure, functions, and regional needs. Responsibilities include supporting local and regional planning efforts, facilitating strategic planning sessions, implementing workforce initiatives, and managing a variety of grants and projects. The position requires staying current on federal and state guidance—including DOL/ETA TENS, TEGLs, and Workforce Services policies—and applying that guidance to ensure compliance and effective program delivery. The Assistant Director serves as a key partner to leadership, helping guide major initiatives and support operations across a ten\-county region. This role also requires flexibility and a willingness to take on additional responsibilities as needed to ensure high\-quality service to job seekers and employers.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Facilitate new initiatives and strategic projects by serving as the liaison for the workforce team during the execution of policies and processes related to the vision and mission of workforce development across the region
- Compile quarterly and annual reports for system stakeholders that provide an impact analysis of the board initiatives and funding investments
- Network and communicate with organizations that can provide strategic partnerships to support workforce development programs in the local area, especially programs with an emphasis on the emerging youth workforce and individuals with barriers to employment
- Interface with a variety of business and industry partners to determine needs relative to workforce pipeline development
- Engage in on\-going research for workforce development opportunities including grants, assessments, process improvement and best/promising practices
- Develop, manage and implement the local and regional strategic planning process per directives in WIOA and federal, state and local policy guidance
- Lead facilitation of biennial local and regional strategic planning process
- Organize and lead local and regional administrative meetings to ascertain planning needs, at a minimum quarterly
- Assist in the development and implementation of career pathways as part of the local planning process within the local area by aligning the employment, training, education, and supportive services that are needed by adults and youth, particularly individuals with barriers to employment.
- Conduct research and prepare statistical data reports related to workforce development for utilization in developing the local and regional plans
- Collaborate with the WIOA Required Partners to develop the One Stop Operations Memorandum of Understanding in coordination with the Regional Planning Council
- Prepare a variety of Memoranda of Understanding required for partnerships necessary to expand services to support economic growth throughout our region
- Assist in the development of contracts, agreements, subcontracts, amendments, RFPs and other administrative and legal documents as requested
- Assist the Director in establishing procurement practices for selection of providers that meet federal, state, and local requirements
- Consult with the Director and WIOA Fiscal Accountant in the development of budgets for the Board
- Coordinate with the WIOA Fiscal Accountant in preparing the Infrastructure Funding Agreement budget for the WIOA Required Partners in the American Job Centers
- Research and assist in identifying new government, corporate, and/or private funding prospects for workforce or related projects needed to generate revenues for expansion of programs, services or other partner agencies
- Assume project management role for some special projects – provide updated status reports to the Director and Board and assign components to workforce team members as needed
- Provide support to the Director for activities for the Quarterly Workforce Development Board and Executive Committee meetings
- Facilitate the Opportunities and Youth Committees, utilizing other workforce team members to aid in administrative functions
- Maintain knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and their impact on workforce development activities
- Support the workforce team in targeted outreach to business and industry, elected officials, and other stakeholders within our 10\-county local area
- Mentor workforce team members, keeping them apprised of changes that directly impact the compliance and performance of the operational system
- Support other duties and responsibilities on a temporary or ongoing basis as necessary for the delivery of quality service within the workforce development department or local area
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.) with two years of related experience in employment and training programs. Planning experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience related to the planning projects for the department is desirable. grant writing, planning, and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Research Tools (i.e. EMSI) proficiency required, as well as ability to utilize Internet resources for various duties and projects.
Desired Qualifications
Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, synthesize and interpret general business information provided by professional journals, general media, and government (i.e. policies and procedures updates, labor trends, etc.). Ability to write reports, business correspondence and effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, customers and the general public.
Reasoning Ability:
Must possess creative problem\-solving skills and analytical skills necessary to gather relevant information to solve less well\- defined problems. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in multiple formats required to identify problems, collect data and draw valid conclusions.
Pay: $65,000\.00 \- $75,000\.00 per year
Benefits:
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chattanooga, TN 37402