Priority Populations Program Specialist

Position Title:                  PRIORITY POPULATIONS PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Department:                     Programs

Reports to:                       Senior Manager of Priority Populations

FLSA Status:                    Full Time, Non-Exempt

Hiring range:                    $47,000 - $50,000

Benefits Include:             Hybrid work model, flexible work schedule, generous paid time off, 401(K) match, healthcare, dental and vision insurance, health savings account and life  insurance.

Location:                           Centre City Tower, 650 Smithfield Street, Suite 2400, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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Partner4Work (TRWIB, Inc.) values diversity and strives for our team to reflect the wide range of people and perspectives that form our region. We provide equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, culture, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability,  gender identity or expression, or veteran status. Partner4Work is an EEO employer.

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About Us 

As the leader of Pittsburgh/Allegheny County’s public workforce system, Partner4Work (formerly Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board) works to ensure that the current and future needs of businesses and job seekers are met.  Through innovative initiatives and programs spanning every facet of the workforce, Partner4Work bridges the gap between people looking for work and companies in need of talent. To our own workforce, we seek out individuals who exemplify our core values by being:

●      Committed to excellence and measurable impact

●      Drivers of continuous and purposeful innovation and improvement

●      Inclusive of other’s perspectives and talents

●      Leaders of utmost integrity

●      Passionate and enthusiastic about the systems level work behind workforce development

About this Position

The Program Specialist is primarily responsible for supporting the referral, intake, and communication functions of the Allegheny County Employment, Advancement and Retention Network (EARN) and the Work Ready (WR) program, under the supervision of the Priority Populations Senior Program Manager. The Specialist ensures effective coordination of activities between the PA Department of Human Services (PA DHS), Partner4Work (P4W), providers of EARN and WR services, and other community partners.  The specialist is responsible for contracts, systems and communications management for the Priority Populations department.  Major aspects of the work include developing communication tools and promoting EARN, Work Ready and Priority Populations programs, facilitating successful participant referrals, strengthening connections with internal and external partners, and providing excellent customer service.

Essential Responsibilities and Qualifications:

Contracts Management

●      Works closely with Priority Populations Senior Manager to ensure effective delivery of EARN and Work Ready services that align with the requirements and expectations of PA DHS and P4W  

●      With support from the Senior Manager, plans, implements, and evaluates projects to ensure project performance goals and deliverables are met and identify opportunities for growth and improvement.

●      Maintains a detailed knowledge of EARN,WR, and Priority Populations program guidelines and best practices, informing design, implementation and evaluation of program services.

●      Creates and maintains EARN, WR, and Priority Populations forms, brochures and other program-related materials used by community partners.

Systems  Management

●      Maintains the referral directory and tracking tool in the Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS), ensuring effective use of the tool.

●      Monitors referral activity, resolving any issues preventing successful referrals and informing continuous improvement of referral and intake processes.

●      Facilitates effective program referrals and intake activities coordinated between PA DHS and providers of EARN and WR services.

●       Ensure successful outcomes and manage initiatives focused on special populations, including adult and young adult job seekers with criminal records.

●       Ensure timely and accurate data entry and reporting to funders and partners that effectively demonstrates progress, outputs, and outcomes.

●      Works with internal Partner4Work staff to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data, facilitate monitoring and evaluation, and support contract management.

Communications  Management

●      Supports efforts to promote EARN and WR by identifying and creating content to highlight in communication tools.

●      Gather participant feedback to identify gaps in programming and inform areas for improvement in program design.

●      Facilitate meetings and other group activities involving project stakeholders.

Skills and Abilities

●      Motivated self-starter with excellent project management skills and strong follow up skills required;

●      Strong computer skills and familiarity with the following:

○      Microsoft products, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

○      Google products, such as Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, and Sheets

○      Basic online content and learning management

●      Professional interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

●      Professional analytical and problem-solving skills

●      Highly adept at prioritizing work and multi-tasking

●      Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with Partner4Work staff and partner agencies

●      Ability to function as a team member and work collaboratively with others in a complex environment

●      Ability to facilitate meetings and other group activities involving diverse participants

●      Ability to synthesize complex information and provide informed recommendations appropriately

●      Ability to effectively utilize electronic data collection and retrieval systems

●      Ability to travel locally, as needed

Education

●      Specialized knowledge in structuring, administering, evaluating or strengthening programs that provide workforce development activities and services to vulnerable populations

●      Bachelor’s Degree or at least 2 years of relevant experience

●      Knowledge of project and program development, program design OR knowledge and understanding of the local workforce ecosystem required

Experience

●      Project management experience required;

●      Experience with administering WIOA/TANF funds or other government funded programs preferred

●      A combination of education and experience will also be considered

ADA 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 accommodation may be used to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to write and/or type; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and bend. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters in an office environment. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only job duties to be performed by the employee in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.