Workforce Development Program Liaison; ROADS Program

Workforce Development Program Liaison

The Workforce Development Program Liaison will provide leadership and coordination of WNC's partnership with Nevada Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) on Realizing Opportunities for the American Dream to Succeed (ROADS) Program. This program's goal is to enhance the skills of Nevada's workers who are unemployed and/or underemployed. The ROADS program will capitalize on the existing strengths and resources of WNC and its partners to focus on industry-determined priorities in order to align training with industry demands.

This position collaborates with faculty, division, and institution staff to create pathways between the community and WNC in order to open opportunities for the region's workforce. This position represents WNC within the community seeking opportunities to engage new students, recruits and guides students through the program while engaging support from WNC partners and program investors. Occasional travel to Reno and other WNC campuses may be required.

Major Responsibilities

• Provide community outreach, and work with guidance and support from the Advancement Team managers to successfully administer the ROADS program. Accomplish key operational and program tasks related to contract-funded project activities in support of ROADS students and partners.
• Work with WNC's Advancement Team Managers and ROADS work group to ensure contract accountability for the ROADS project including data collection, analysis and reporting, and tracking of contract and system requirements including billing and purchasing. Create quarterly progress reports to DETR's designated contract manager.
• Drive contract deliverables such as recruitment of special student populations to the ROADS program especially those prospective students motivated to elevate their careers by learning new skills.
• Conduct student recruitment and retention activities.
• Support and manage the screening and evaluation of applicants using an online program application.
• Initiate and sustain communications to students enveloping aspects of program enrollment that foster retention, including learning about and referring to wrap-around services and resources provided through the ROADS program and through WNC and community partners.
• Coordinate and track participant progress.
• Identifies obstacles for students using a needs assessment process and deploys ROADS resources to support students in overcoming challenges. Uses resources within the college and the community to ensure student success.
• Facilitate and advocate as the primary point of contact for new and continuing students to apply for and enroll in programs and classes, and intervene as a liaison between college services and processes.
• Engage as the primary employer-liaison working with HR offices, business owners and recruiters to ensure access to hiring data as well as job openings and to coordinate and promote hiring events.
• Manage existing and develop new relationships with agencies, individuals and employers to match WNC capabilities to training needs.
• Interview representatives from targeted industries and inventory their needs and employment offerings.
• Facilitate job shadowing for applicants to participate in their chosen occupation for one day or shift to determine if the occupation selected is a good fit for the applicant.
• Manage relationships with partners including JOIN, Job Connect and other private and public agencies related to employee training and hiring.
• Train recent ROADS program graduates and other community members to serve as volunteer support staff to mentor participants through all levels of the program.
• Collaborate with all appropriate college departments on specific contract matters as well as the processes and systems which facilitate efficient and high-quality operations.
• Develop and deliver outreach and engagement activities including effective marketing strategies related to recruiting and retaining students with guidance of Advancement team managers and assistance from campus offices and services. Using knowledge gathered within the community, collaborates within the Advancement Team in creating social media posts and press releases to drive the Roads Program.
• Ability to work from field locations or remotely as requested. Some travel within Nevada will be necessary and scheduled in advance where possible.
• Represents WNC within the community, attending community events to promote workforce development opportunities through the ROADS program.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and three years of related professional experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree (i.e., AA+4 yrs related professional experience). A minimum of an Associate's degree is required.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

• Has the ability to model appropriate behaviors that support student success, employer demands and the department culture and vision
• Has the ability to maintain awareness of trends,…