Trades Program Associate

Overview

Working Partnerships USA is a community organization bringing together the power of grassroots organizing and public policy innovation to drive the movement for a just economy. We build the capacity of workers, low-income neighborhoods, and communities of color to lead and govern. Based in Silicon Valley, we tackle the root causes of inequality and poverty by leading collaborative campaigns for quality jobs, healthy communities, equitable growth, and a democracy that works for all. We are co-founders of Silicon Valley Rising which is fighting to inspire the tech industry to build an inclusive, middle class. For 25 years, Working Partnerships USA has been at the forefront of the national movement for a just economy driven by the power of working people.

Position Summary

Working Partnerships USA is seeking a Trades Programs Associate to join our exceptional team. The Associate will support the Trades Introduction Program (TIP), a construction career training and placement initiative that helps jobseekers from under-represented communities in San Mateo County to enter apprenticeships and achieve a long-term, family-supporting career in the construction trades.

TIP is led by Working Partnerships USA in collaboration with union, industry, and community partners. TIP is an apprenticeship readiness program designed to educate participants about the construction industry and prepare them to succeed in a construction trades apprenticeship. Participants are young adults and adults who are actively seeking to enter a career in the construction trade. TIP includes three components: 1) outreach, orientation and assessment; 2) a 130-hour pre-apprenticeship course, taught by certified instructors with journey-level work experience in the construction trades; and 3) twelve months of intensive 1-1 coaching through the apprenticeship application process and retention support once they begin work. TIP serves a wide range of applicants who are seeking a good, family-supporting career, with a special emphasis on homeless individuals, women, communities of color, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, recipients of public assistance, and at-risk youth.

The Trades Programs Associate will be responsible for primarily job coaching and job placement that supports our efforts to achieve economic and racial justice in San Mateo County / Silicon Valley through innovative policy, research and organizing campaigns.

The position is based in San Jose California. The role will require regular in person work across Santa Clara County and also San Mateo County, including some early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Trades Orientation Program (TOP) Coordinator, the Trades Programs Associate will be responsible for day-to-day support for TIP, including but not limited to:

• Developing relationships with San Mateo County TIP participants through group and individual coaching to support them in achieving their career goals, including intensive career coaching and individualized case management
• Developing expertise in understanding and guiding clients through the various application processes and work requirements for each of the 25+ construction apprenticeship programs; maintaining up-to-date information on each program and be able to advise and support students in navigating each application process
• Staff support, class announcements, 1-1 counseling, and other administrative and programmatic duties related to the 130-hour course. NOTE: Some early morning, evening and Saturday work is required, in alignment with the MC3 course schedules
• Coordinating closely with the TOP Coordinator and Trades Programs staff, monitoring students’ learning and progress, implementing any needed course corrections
• Carrying out an outreach plan to meet enrollment targets for each cohort, including recruitment targets for specific under-represented populations such as women, veterans, homeless persons, or others
• Maintaining all client records and documentation required for the program, and performing timely data entry in multiple databases. These may include the State’s data tracking system, VSAS, the MC3 LMS, Charity Tracker, DAS, Google Docs, and other databases as needed to meet the requirements of project partners and of city, county, state, and/or federal grants.
• Making presentations to a wide range of audiences including prospective Trades Programs applicants, students, career counselors and job developers, construction union reps and employers, coalition partners, allies, funders and decision-makers

In addition to their TIP duties, the Associate will participate in Working Partnerships USA staff meetings and trainings and support major organizational campaigns and projects, including but not limited to:

• Providing support for actions, phone banks, meetings and events, including scheduling, turnout, event staffing, speaking, compiling minutes, and other duties as needed
• Representing Working Partnerships at meetings with allies and supporters, coordinating and attending actions, and supporting the work of the campaign/project and organization as a whole

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of prior related work experience in a field such as workforce development, teaching, social work, community organizing, career technical education, job development, case management, counseling, or related work; demonstrated experience managing an assigned caseload of students, people, or cohorts towards success
• Experience working with the building and construction trades strongly preferred
• Valid California driver’s license and daily access to reliable transportation
• A demonstrated commitment to worker and community organizing, economic justice, and social justice movements
• Proficiency in maintaining and retrieving client data and records, including accurate and timely data entry and cleaning
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Google Sheets
• Strong, timely, and accurate communication skills
• Strong time management and task management skills
• Experience making presentations to multiple audiences
• Inquisitive, flexible, and adaptable with strong initiative and follow through
• Able to exercise good judgment, deal with ambiguity, quickly respond to unexpected situations and problem-solve
• Tenacity and resourcefulness in working through challenges or setbacks to reach a goal
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements listed are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sit, bend, and reach with hands and arms.
• Lift approximately 20-25 lbs. on occasion.
• Stand and move throughout the office.
• Have consistent and reliable attendance.
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Work under pressure with changing, ambiguous priorities.
• Communicate effectively and promptly to clients or employees of the organization.
• Climb stairs and steps.
• High level of manual dexterity to adeptly type and use computer equipment.
• Auditory and visual skills – Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Follow written and oral instructions and procedures.

Compensation & Location

Our office is located in North San Jose. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position. The estimated annual salary for this position is between $71,280-$89,000, with commensurate qualifications and experience. Working Partnerships USA also offers robust benefits including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance, including access to acupuncture and chiropractic services via Landmark, Kaiser/Sutter Health, Delta and VSP
• 10 days of annual paid vacation, which increases with tenure, and 12.5 paid holidays
• 12 days of annual sick leave
• 401(k) with 7% employer contributions after your first 6 months of employment

The position will be open until filled and starts immediately.

Working Partnerships USA strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ, and all qualified persons to apply for this position. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.