SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Manager of Sector Training Programs, the primary responsibility of this position is to develop, implement and manage a strategy to achieve goals and benchmarks of select training programs.  On behalf of the Mayor’s Workforce Development Board, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) administers a variety of public and private workforce funding streams and grants that support sector training.  Collectively, the MWDB and DESC identify as Detroit at Work. DESC has dedicated grants with distinct timelines, goals and expected activities for several sector training initiatives. The Assistant manager will be responsible for overseeing these sector training initiatives, which requires: 1) identifying, selecting and managing the contractors that deliver training; 2) coordinating with the nine (9) Career Centers that provide recruitment, career coaching and job readiness services; and 3) collaborating with the Detroit at Work employer engagement and business services team to ensure programs are demand driven and result in employment. This position is not intended to be time limited but is dependent on DESC’s successful receipt of ongoing grants to support training efforts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a detailed workplan for assigned grants. Implement workplan to ensure all milestones are achieved. Assigned grants will include Catalyst, a Department of Labor grant supporting advanced manufacturing training (ends 12/31/2021); a Community Development Block Grant via City of Detroit that is open to Detroiters living in targeted geographies (eligible for renewal after 3/30/2022); a WIOA Dislocated Worker grant via State of Michigan that targets individuals laid off from retail, finance or manufacturing (ends 9/30/2021); construction and skilled trades training at Randolph Career and Technical Education center (ongoing as funds permit); and culinary, automotive and welding training at Breithaupt Career and Technical Education center (ongoing as funds permit).  DESC will continue to seek out additional funds to replace grants set to expire.

• Promote funding opportunities to quality training providers in the City of Detroit and surrounding area, in order to expand overall quality and diversity of Detroit at Work training programs.  Assist Manager of Sector Training Programs in competitive procurement of training providers.

• Manage relationships with subgrantees and subcontractors. Under direction of Sector Training Manager, establish contracts, budgets, and contract modifications. Establish Statements of Work and contract goals for each subgrantee or subcontractor and work with them to develop a performance plan.  

• Work closely with the Employer Engagement and Business Services team to ensure training activities are aligned with employer needs and demand.  Assist training providers in interpreting and incorporating employer feedback into curriculum.

• Plan, coordinate, and administer activities of assigned programs to include developing and implementing related procedures, processes, services and systems.

• Manage subgrantee and subcontractor performance. Provide partners with clear expectations for performance and administer technical assistance when necessary. Connect partners to available and necessary resources to enhance program quality. Establish and implement corrective action plans when necessary.

• Monitor and evaluate the program effectiveness, investigate trends, recommend and implement modifications to improve program effectiveness.

• Assist in the preparation of budgets; Monitor, verify, and reconcile expenditures of budgeted funds as appropriate.

• Prepare required and supplemental programmatic reports for funders.

• Coordinate special events (i.e. trainings/meetings), create and distribute invitations, distribute resources, attend events to lend support, coordinate technical equipment, and assemble presentation / information.

• Research and develop best practices to serve targeted populations. Develop and coordinate new ideas and concepts, materials, and resources to supplement, expand, or replace existing program components in order to benefit participants.

• Exhibit professionalism, diplomacy, and ability to appropriately interact with staff, participants, employers, and local stakeholders while maintaining working relationships in all aspects. 

• Compose and prepare correspondence involving interpretation of policies, procedures, contract, and agreements.

• Prepare reports and analysis setting forth progress and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.

• Demonstrate ability to assess triggers for new policies and procedures; such as, changes to the external operating environment, government policy/legislation, review of strategic directions, new cross-functional initiatives, and need for consistency in service delivery, etc.

• Perform other related duties as required.

The above functions are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the person assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties of the position.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Must be highly organized and have the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.  

• Must possess the ability meet the general public, exhibit professionalism, and work under pressure with the ability to reprioritize in order to meet deadlines.

• Must be able to communicate effectively in person, in writing and by telephone.  

• Demonstrate Project Management Skills to produce quality, timely, complete work product.  

• Must be discrete and professional, particularly when handling confidential information.  

• Seek growing responsibility and show great capacity for work.    

• Must demonstrate strong quantitative, analytical, and investigative research skills

• Exhibit expert level documentation and writing skills, and have the ability to prepare timely, accurate and complete reports.  

• Must have experience demonstrating the ability to scope out new policy and rule specifications, as well as coordinate program policy documentation changes.  

• Must be able to maintain strict ethical legal adherence and confidentiality at all times. 

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

A Bachelor’s Degree in social work, education, business administration or related field is required. Work experience and education may be substituted.  Must have at least two years prior experience successfully managing projects and programs of a similar size and scope. Experience with workforce projects in one or more of the five high-demand, high-growth industries targeted by DESC and the MWDB strongly desired. 

Must possess project management experience and skills.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No

CONTRACT POSITION:

No

LICENSES:

Valid State of Michigan Driver’s License – Position requires field work.

OTHER:

Background check and drug screen required