Workforce Development Coordinator

Statement of Duties

Under the direction of the Director and Deputy Director of Economic Development, the Workforce Development Coordinator is responsible for managing the program activity and serving as staff to the Jobs Creation and Retention Trust (“JCRT”), which oversees the creation of funding opportunities/grants for organizations offering training for Quality Jobs as defined in the Somerville Talent and Equity Playbook. In addition to managing the activities of the Trust, the Workforce Development Coordinator is responsible for implementing projects related to community workforce development initiatives as guided by senior staff and elected and appointed officials; preparing workforce development grant materials; and preparing written analyses/reports and managing data. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Serves as staff liaison and administrative support for the Jobs Creation and Retention Trust (“JCRT”) and supports the meetings of other regulatory or advisory groups which advance the work of workforce development in the City of Somerville. This includes facilitation of meetings and coordination of agendas in collaboration with the Managing Trustee(s) of the JCRT.
• Manages the development and review of Requests for Proposals (“RFP’s”) for funding rounds through the JCRT. This includes organizing review committees and preparation of evaluation materials as well as work with potential applicants and grantees throughout the RFP cycle.
• Supports the management of workforce development programs such as FabVille, Somerville’s community makerspace
• Manages projects that advance the workforce development goals of the City and at different stages of implementation, from concept development and grant seeking to project launch and operations.
• Provides technical assistance to senior staff and elected officials regarding workforce development and employment laws applicable in Somerville.
• Supports efforts in the Division – through research and project initiatives - to develop knowledge of employers, sectors and industry trends in the workforce development sphere
• Works in close cooperation with the other divisions that comprise the Strategy & Development Department (“S&D”)– formerly known as Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) – in particular Administration & Finance
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director and Deputy Director.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Strong experience in communicating with different audiences is essential as is critical thinking, analysis and project management. Bachelor’s degree and three to five (3 to 5) years’ experience, particularly as it pertains to workforce development programs and grant management, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill:

• Knowledge: A strong foundation in grant management and program coordination is critical. Knowledge of the Somerville community, workforce development ecosystem (local, regional, and national), and business employment landscape. Working knowledge of the digital tools necessary to complete the work and effectively communicate with stakeholders.
• Abilities: Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders both orally and in writing. Ability to organize, prepare, and deliver reports and track program effectiveness over time. Ability to work effectively with board members and senior leadership. Ability to speak impartially, with discernment, and with emotional intelligence in the context of one-on-one conversations. Ability to adapt and be sensitive to working with diverse (race, ethnicity, age, generation, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious/spiritual beliefs, disability and more) populations. Ability to speak multiple languages a plus.
• Skill: Skilled public speaker; excellent stakeholder engagement, data analytics, planning, and marketing. This position requires a person to be detail oriented, to be self-motivated, and able to handle multiple assignments at the same time.

Work Environment:

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments. When in the field or attending meetings, the environment can be at construction sites and outdoors.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

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 position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Minimal physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. Work requires some agility such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment or photocopy paper (up to 30lbs.). When in the field, more physical skill may be required to accomplish the duties required.

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing, and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.