Program Specialist

Program Specialist

Do you have a passion for serving the community? Do you consider yourself a project manager who can learn data systems and work well in a team focused environment? This is the career for you! We are looking to hire a Full-time Program Specialist.

Job Purpose:

Working in conjunction with project staff, the Program Specialist leads the implementation of programs and projects. Typical duties include planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and projects, coordinating project activities, collaborating with project team members, developing measurable project goals and objectives, and monitoring progress toward achievement. This position is also accountable for successful execution which includes developing scopes of work, monitoring program guidelines, and evaluating activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Project planning, and implementation, program development, marketing, and promotion, and coordination with business solutions for developing talent supply chains for employers, clusters, or industries.
• Develop and implement program participant recruitment strategies.
• Conduct information sessions to inform interested individuals about Employ Milwaukee training programs.
• Create and foster a positive relationship with program participants, identify and arrange, provide needed Supportive Services to ensure success.
• Record and update participant information in applicable databases (i.e., Efforts-to-Outcomes, ASSET).
• Coordinate the delivery of services utilizing a variety of virtual platforms.
• Collaborate with program manager to provide oversight on all pre-award and post-award activities that include but not limited to government and non-government grants, foundation awards and contracts on behalf of the programs department.
• Coordinates, schedules, and attends various meetings and seminars and present as appropriate.
• Collaborate with relevant Local, Regional and Federal workforce development programs and educational partners.
• Coordinate with other departments as necessary to ensure a productive environment.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local, state, and federal guidelines and policies governing workforce training programs.
• Collect, organize, and analyze data required in the development of various planning contractual and informational documents.
• Assist in the preparation, review, and submission of required reports, papers, correspondence, and other documents, ensuring clarity, completeness, accuracy, and conformance with applicable policies.
• Manage and monitor data collection under state and federal data collection systems and coordinate implementation of additional data collection programs such as Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).
• Ensure, upon contract award, that systems are in place to gather all information required to meet internal and external contract conditions and coordinate regularly with relevant contract monitors, data and fiscal staff ensuring that information flow is timely and appropriate actions are taken as needed.
• Coordinate program worksite visits with contract monitors and acts as liaison for coordination of state and federal contract monitoring of the contracts.
• Prepare program updates containing quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Recommend redesign options and implications at key decision points to assist the Director in meeting program and service outcomes and contract requirements.
• Other Duties as assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Key Abilities, Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of current issues, concepts, and practices related to domestic workforce development, community economic development, urban planning, and/or public policy.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure of deadlines, and within budget constraints.
• Ability to work in a team environment, while also working independently.
• Ability to facilitate workshops or trainings.
• Knowledge of employment barriers facing urban disadvantaged youth and young adults and employer demand for skilled and educated workers.
• Demonstrated capacity to handle multiple tasks, projects, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent public relations, community organizing, negotiation, mediation, conflict management and meeting facilitation skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, in both group and individual settings, including e-mail and phone. Ability to exercise tact and discretion in dealing with persons at various levels and in various job categories.
• Experience with the use of a range of computer-related tools, including PowerPoint, Excel, Access and other data-management software packages, and online survey instruments.
• Must have strong administrative and organizational skills including project management, and grant administration and reporting.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Associates degree or equivalent

Experience: 3 to 5 years of work experience that involves program coordination, job training, or workforce development, grant management, project management or related field

Technology/Equipment: Experience using PC and/or Mac computers. Experience with data-entry systems, Microsoft Office products including Excel and experience with using such platforms as WEBEX, Zoom, and Teams. Experience with cloud-base technology.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration Business Administration, Education or related field.
• Experience and/or Training : 5 to 7 years of experience that involves program coordination, job training, higher education, workforce development, grant management, project management, business development, or related field.
• Licenses/Certificates: Trauma Informed Care certification and Motivational Interviewing certification preferred.
• Technology/Equipment: Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel, social media platforms, participant data tracking systems including Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).

Physical and Mental Demands:

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and/or hear, and/or use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, and/or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds while moving files or small packages. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Working Environment:

Work is performed in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. May occasionally be required to perform job duties outside of the typical office setting. Minimal local travel possible.

Why Employ Milwaukee?

• We are a non-profit workforce development board
• Full benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, 401K, and Employer Paid Long-Term & Short-Term disability
• Prime location! Just minutes from downtown Milwaukee
• Hybrid work-from-home models are available
• Make a real positive impact in the lives of youth, adults, laid-off workers, and other under-employed populations by connecting them to offerings such as career services, education, training, and employment opportunities