Workforce Development Specialist - Grant Funded

• Bachelor’s Degree in an academic-related field.
• Educational administrative or other relevant leadership experience required.
• Career development or related experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of business/industry needs.
• Applicant must be well-organized and a self-starter with the ability to take initiative.

• Master’s Degree in an academic-related field.
• Educational administrative or other relevant leadership experience required.
• Career development or related experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of business/industry needs.
• Applicant must be well-organized and a self-starter with the ability to take initiative.

Job Description

The primary purpose of this position is to accelerate the already established Surry-Yadkin Works program by expanding career connections and employment success strategies. This includes pre-apprenticeships during the school year and summer, as well as career exploration events and activities. The Workforce Development Specialist (WDS) will serve as a liaison between educational, economic, and business/industry partners in Surry and Yadkin Counties, focusing on developing new work-based learning programs.

This is a 12-month position, funded by a two-year grant.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• • Responsible for overseeing a portion of the Surry-Yadkin Works high school pre-apprentices.
  • Responsible for coordinating work-based learning events.
  • Plan and execute events for Surry-Yadkin Works, and implement programs for public school partners that align with the Surry-Yadkin Works Mission Statement.
  • Plan and execute summer programs for high school and college students focused on employability training and exploration.
  • Act as the liaison between educational, economic, and business/industry partnerships.
  • Work with business and industry to determine employment needs and coordinate efforts to place student pre-apprentices in work-based learning experiences.
  • Responsible for grant data collection and reporting.
  • Facilitate and coordinate business/industry/education meetings.
  • Oversee recruitment and retention of students and business partners.
  • Develop relationships with students and parents to guide students to success.
  • Coordinate and oversee support services.
  • Serve as a coordinator between local businesses, economic development, the community college, and high schools to establish clear lines of communication.
  • Develop goals and objectives to be met as established by business partners.
  • Develop work-based learning placements.
  • Ensure the creation of a successful and sustainable model of work-based learning placement, which may include grant writing for future funding.

• Knowledgeable of secondary and post-secondary education and training.
• Knowledgeable of high school to college pathways.
• Knowledgeable of business and industry needs.
• Ability to facilitate and coordinate individual, small group, and large group meetings with minimal assistance.
• Ability to balance responsibilities between several school districts, multiple high schools, the community college, and business/industry partners.
• Skilled in developing relations and partnerships with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area.

Apply at https://www.surry.edu or https://jobs.surry.edu/postings/14775.

For information about this position, please contact Crystal Folger-Hawks, Surry-Yadkin Works Executive Director at 336-386-3683 or 336-401-7820 or folger-hawksc@surry.edu.