Director of Workforce Services

Position Summary

The Director of Workforce Services will provide professional management for the design, implementation and improvement of the systems and structures used to provide adult, youth and dislocated worker clients with necessary tools to achieve employment. Oversees all outreach and employer services within their assigned region. The Director is responsible for professional standards and measures for team, as well as leadership. Serves as a member of a team that oversees the operation of EMDC workforce services throughout the 10-county workforce region encompassing Penobscot, Aroostook, Piscataquis, Washington, Hancock, Somerset, Kennebec, Franklin, Oxford, and Androscoggin counties with primary focus in Central Western Maine (Androscoggin, Kennebec, Franklin, Oxford and Somerset Counties)

Essential Functions

• Serves as a member of the Workforce Services Leadership Team
• Works with Leadership Team and all Workforce Staff to ensure performance outcomes are achieved or exceeded.
• Leads special projects and programs, as assigned.
• Analyzes data reports and develops plans to implement corrective action, where necessary.
• Provides staff supervision and support to EMDC workforce staff and provides oversight of EMDC contractors, as assigned.
• Performs personnel related functions including interviewing, selection, performance coaching and evaluation, training, staff development, motivation, communication and building shared vision across all EMDC staff, as assigned.
• Oversees all program services delivery and analyzes activities to improve services to clients. Works with all staff and service contractors to meet service delivery goals established in EMDC contracts and agreements with the Northeastern Maine Workforce Development Board and the Central Western Maine Workforce Development Board. Participates in Board committees and meetings as assigned.
• Work with staff to identify employer needs and training opportunities and to create where needed employer-based training activities and projects.
• Evaluates, expands, improves and develops programs and services consistent with the mission of EMDC and the goals and objectives of the Board and partners including but not limiting to participant and employer outreach, program visibility and community partnership building.
• Serves clients, partners, and government agencies in an honest, professional, effective and efficient manner as a representative of EMDC.
• Supports and furthers the EMDC mission while protecting the confidentiality of individual identities and personal information of the clients being served.

Job Requirements

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to develop and implement effective client support systems.
• Possess strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work well with clients, co-workers, and supervisor.
• Understanding of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs.
• Knowledge of adult learning theory and practice.
• Advanced knowledge of skills assessment.
• Knowledge of community and human services agencies and resources.
• Experience with career and life skills development.
• Ability to work with disadvantaged population.
• Ability to meet goals in fast-paced environment.
• Valid driver’s license required with regular access to own vehicle.
• Regular attendance required.

Core Competencies

• Computer skills – Skilled in the use of computers, adapts to new technology, learns new programs quickly, uses computers to improve productivity.
• Customer service – Handles customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, maintains pleasant and professional image.
• Dependability – Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, meets attendance/punctuality requirements.
• Integrity/Ethics – Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports company values, conveys good news and bad.
• Teamwork – Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere.

Position Competencies

• Budget costs and controls – Plans for and uses resources efficiently, always looks for ways to reduce costs, tracks and adjusts budgets, contributes to budget planning.
• Communication – Communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers presentations, shares information and ideas with others. Listens attentively to others, asks clarifying questions, stays open to other viewpoints, manages distractions and interruptions.
• Decision Making/Judgment – Recognizes problems and responds, systematically gathers information, sorts through complex issues, seeks input from others, addresses root cause of issues, makes timely decisions, can make difficult decisions, uses consensus when possible, communicates decisions to others.
• Leadership – Leads through change and adversity, makes the tough call when needed, builds consensus when appropriate, motivates and encourages others
• Managing Conflict – Listens well, diffuses conflict before it starts, finds causes of and solutions to problems, handles difficult people
• Managing Performance – Applies clear/consistent performance standards, handles performance problems decisively and objectively, is direct but tactful, provides guidance and assistance to improve performance.
• Strategic Thinking/Management – Creates and communicates a long-term vision, balances short- and long-term goals, keeps own and team’s work aligned with overall goals, understands the market and can predict change, understands the industry and the competition, creates and adjusts strategic plans.
• Vision and Values – Supports values and daily actions and decisions, communicates vision and values to others, generates enthusiasm, incorporates vision when planning.

Education/Experience

• A degree in education, social work, human services, public administration or other related field.
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in employment and training, assessment, statistics and analysis, counseling or related field.

Working Conditions

General business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, though exempt positions will typically require work to be performed outside general business hours. Work is generally performed in an indoor, professional office environment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or listen, and regularly required to use a keyboard for typing. The employee is often required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The employee must travel to different locations and must be able to provide own transportation.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time