Workforce Development Specialist

Description

The Arab American Association of New York (AAANY) seeks an experienced and dedicated Workforce Development Specialist to bring our dynamic Adult Education Program and Women’s Empowerment program to the next level of student-support and success. The Workforce Development Specialist will launch a pilot program to expand digital literacy and economic opportunities for Arab immigrants in South Brooklyn.

Since our founding in 2001 in the heart of New York’s Arab American community in Bay Ridge, AAANY has held a mission of supporting and empowering the Arab American and Arab immigrant community. Today, our commitment to providing direct services integrated with robust advocacy is as important as ever, and. Every year, hundreds of students enroll in our program seeking to grow as leaders in their homes, families, and communities, whether by advocating for interpretation at a child’s parent teacher conference or speaking out at a rally for immigrant rights. Workforce Development Specialist plays an essential role in expanding the Adult Education Program to career-oriented adults and working with students, staff, and AAANY as a whole to envision and realize a program that supports students in meeting their personal, professional, academic, and community goals.

Reports to:

Director of Programs

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Setting Workforce Development Program goals, agenda, and direction in consultation with program staff, students, volunteers, and AAANY leadership;
2. Reporting
3. Recruit and enroll quarterly cohort of 25-30 participants
4. Career coaching and case management of participants
5. Resume workshops for participants and ESL clients as requested
6. Maintaining partnerships and organizing monthly community workshops on career and economic development with support from the Adult Education Program Manager
7. Training participants for internal interships
8. Developing partnerships with local employers and facilitating job and internship placement
9. Collecting and managing grant data on participant attendance, improvement on BEST Plus tests, development of student portfolios and skills qualifications, and other outcomes
10. Implementing program goals identified in the AAANY Workforce Development Recommendations and Findings Report.
11. Collaborating with AAANY colleagues on connecting the Adult Education program with advocacy, immigration, and other initiatives;
12. Attending relevant meetings and trainings;
13. Supporting AAANY staff in working towards our organizational mission and goals; and
14. Other tasks as needed.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications

We are seeking experienced adult educators who excel at student-centered learning, have exceptional cultural competency and communication skills, and are committed to learning and growth. The ideal candidate will have:

1-2 years of experience with career coaching or related experience

Strong cultural competency and communication skills: the ability to interface with multiple stakeholders including students, staff members, volunteers, clients, funders, and external partners of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds in a way that is respectful, knowledgeable, and fosters mutual understanding;

Commitment to learning and growth in a fast-paced non-profit environment. The candidate should be capable of growing and strengthening the program and willing to learn and grow with it;

Minimum Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience with grant reporting
2. CPR, first aid, or BLS certification
3. Motivational Interviewing
4. Mental Health First Aid
5. BEST Plus certification