Director of Youth Services

The City of Worcester is seeking qualified applicants for a Director of Youth Services in the Department of Workforce Development. The Director of Youth Services is responsible for assisting the Executive Director in the planning, development, administration, and oversight of the Mass Hire Central Region Workforce Board (MCRWB)’s youth workforce initiatives. This includes managing Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth-funded programs as well as youth workforce development programs and services supported by the City of Worcester, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and other public and private funding sources.

The Director of Youth Services provides strategic leadership for all MCRWB youth initiatives, ensuring that programs align with organizational priorities and achieve desired outcomes. Additional responsibilities include overseeing compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies; developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with employers, educational institutions, government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders; negotiating, executing, and monitoring contracts; and ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality workforce development services for youth throughout the region.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

• Develop the strategic framework and vision of MCRWB youth-related programs, services, and activities under the direction of the MCRWB Executive Director.
• Coordinate and oversee the MCRWB Youth Workforce Investment Council (YWIC) to ensure broad participation in the development of regional youth priorities and programming.
• Coordinate and facilitate the competitive bid and selection process for WIOA Youth and other programs and services as required by individual funding sources and applicable federal, state and city regulations.
• Negotiate, draft, and oversee contracts for youth employment and training services for eligible youth and young adults as necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and achievement of performance outcomes.
• Develop and manage regional youth-related programs, services and activities appropriate to achieve the MCRWB’s strategic vision for youth workforce development.
• Enforce local, state and federal labor laws as they relate to MCRWB-led youth employment initiatives, programs, and services.
• Serve as the MCRWB liaison between public and private workforce development and youth and young adult funding agencies and organizations.
• Securely collect, track, enter and validate all necessary and required youth participant data in designated databases.
• Review, analyze and disseminate labor market reports and data related to youth employment and youth-related grants and programs.
• Represent (and lead where appropriate) the MCRWB in meetings, conferences, and committees related to youth employment and workforce development.
• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with youth-focused agencies, organizations and potential funding sources in order to advance the mission of the MCRWB and the Board’s youth strategic vision.
• Draft the youth-related portion(s) of the region’s annual plan and other documents.
• Provide support to other Mass Hire regions and state youth programs and initiatives as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of and working proficiency with the laws, regulations, and policies governing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Commonwealth Corporation programs, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and other applicable federal, state, and private funding sources.
• Comprehensive knowledge of youth and adult workforce development, employment,…