Director of Youth Services

Company Description

Mass Hire Hampden County Workforce Board, Inc. (MHHCWB) is a private nonprofit organization that plans, coordinates, and oversees workforce development investments across Hampden County. As the designated local workforce development board under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, MHHCWB works closely with public and private partners to strengthen the regional workforce system. The organization builds strategic alliances with businesses, government agencies, and community organizations to expand access to education, training, and employment opportunities.

The Director of Youth Services leads the implementation and oversight of federally and state-funded youth workforce development programs, including WIOA In-School Youth (ISY), Out-of-School Youth (OSY), Youth Works, and Connecting Activities. The position is responsible for program operations, staff supervision, compliance, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement while collaborating with regional workforce partners to expand career pathway opportunities for youth.

• Provide leadership, direction, and direct supervision of the Youth Services Department, including staff management, workload coordination, performance expectations, and professional development to ensure effective implementation of youth programs and initiatives.
• Oversee the daily operations of the Youth Services Department, ensuring staff activities, grant deliverables, reporting requirements, and program objectives are completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with funding requirements and policies.
• Direct the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of WIOA In-School Youth (ISY) and Out-of-School Youth (OSY) career pathway programs, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Oversee the procurement, contracting, monitoring, and performance management of WIOA youth service providers in accordance with MHHCWB policies and procedures.
• Ensure youth program operations meet established performance goals and comply with applicable regulations, including eligibility determination, documentation, reporting, and monitoring requirements.

• Serve as the primary point of contact with school districts exploring and/or pursuing Innovation Career Pathways designation(s).
• Lead youth career pathway initiatives across secondary and post-secondary education systems, including employer engagement, student internships, work-based learning opportunities, career exploration, and workforce preparation activities.
• Collaborate with contracted youth service providers and regional partners to expand employer engagement strategies and increase access to internships and career-connected learning opportunities.

• Direct Youth Works Summer and Year-Round programs, ensuring compliance with administrative guidelines, grant requirements, reporting obligations, and monitoring activities.
• Direct Connecting Activities program, ensuring compliance with grant agreements, effective project implementation, reporting requirements, and annual proposal submissions.
• Conduct program monitoring visits with youth service providers, ensure corrective actions are addressed when necessary, and participate in state and federal monitoring activities.
• Partner with the Finance Department to establish and maintain processes for approval and authorization of support services, participant incentives, and skills training expenditures.

• Advance implementation activities associated with the Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint and regional youth workforce initiatives.
• Implement and monitor youth-related goals and objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan, ensuring programs, partnerships, and performance outcomes align with Workforce Board priorities and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support the successful implementation of workforce development initiatives serving unemployed, underemployed, and dislocated workers, as assigned.
• Lead the Youth Council, providing strategic direction, oversight, and support for council activities, initiatives, and staff coordination
• Attend Board of Directors meetings and prepare reports, presentations, and updates as requested by the President & CEO.
• Perform other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the President & CEO

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive management experience in workforce development, youth services, education, career pathways, or a related field

• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership, manage programs and initiatives, supervise staff, and…