Center for Employment Training Deputy Director, Program Operations

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1 POSITION DESCRIPTION November 2012 Center for Employment Training Deputy Director, Program Operations The Center for Employment Training seeks a dynamic individual to direct operations of a large and complex multi-state job training, education and human development program which serves over 4,000 students annually. The Center for Employment Training (CET) is an economic and community development organization located in San Jose, California. Its mission is to promote human development and education by training people in marketable skills while providing the supportive services that contribute to self-sufficiency. CET is dedicated to fighting poverty and dependence on public aid by making quality skill training available to a multi-cultural student body of adults of all educational levels and backgrounds, especially those most in need and hardest to serve. BACKGROUND CET was founded in 1967 amidst a time of heightened political and socio-economic activism across the nation. A group of concerned citizens, including Father Anthony Soto and Russell Tershy, organized to establish a job-training center for the working poor and low-income residents of the barrio Sal Si Puedes in East San Jose, California. In its early years, CET moved to serve migrant and seasonal farm workers who were suffering inhumane job conditions and low wages. The goal was to prepare these workers for stable, full-time, permanent jobs in industry. Over the past four decades, success with agricultural workers and low income workers motivated CET to expand its training model across the nation. Over time, CET gained a national reputation for exceptional outcomes. In comparison to other training programs, CET showed higher job placement rates, higher earnings gains, and higher retention rates. By 2012, CET had changed the lives of over 120,000 graduates, many of whom had faced multiple barriers to education and steady employment. The CET Contextual Training Model combines hands-on occupational skills training with basic skills instruction and job preparedness. Most importantly, it addresses the development of the individual through its human development component (computer literacy, financial literacy, child care, job placement assistance, etc.). Training is accessible, flexible and self-paced, and CET strives to create an environment that is as close to the actual workplace as possible, in order to prepare students for the demands of the workplace. As industries and employment opportunities have expanded or contracted over the years, CET has kept its finger on the pulse of these trends, offering individuals the training they need to secure meaningful employment. The organization currently has 17 centers in 5 states, with affiliate programs in 4 additional states, and 30 skill training options are offered throughout the centers. CET s unique training and human development model has also succeeded as evidenced by centers opened in Belize and Chile. CET programs are funded, in whole or in part, by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, Health & Human Services (CSBG), Silicon Valley United Way, Santa Clara County Women s Policy and private individual, corporate and foundation donors. The current budget is $40 million with a staff of over 350.

2 The Deputy Director of Program Operations will be expected to build on CET s successful 45- year record of providing education, training and vocational skills to low-income, unskilled adults. She/he will continue transitioning CET into becoming a more mature, tuition-based institution, widening its marketing scope and depending less on government funding. The Deputy Director will share the core values of CET: integrity, honesty, accountability and compassion, preserving the program design and philosophy of no-screening of applicants, and giving all people every opportunity to succeed in learning skills and finding a well-paying job. BASIC FUNCTION Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Director provides leadership to the organization in its day-to-day operations while ensuring that recruitment, enrollment, training, retention, placements and budgetary goals are met through the effective and efficient management of staff and resources at the Regional Centers, consistent with contract, regulatory and statutory requirements. Program Operations: Manage and direct the Regional Directors to translate program strategies into effective operations and program delivery; Ensure that programs adhere to the highest possible standards and that evidence of improvement in the lives of people and the community is collected and documented; Partner with CET management to ensure compliance with education and organizational policies, procedures, risk management and safety standards, and ensure training of students and teachers meets all CET standards; Oversee the performance standards as established by CET and ensure compliance with contracts, accrediting bodies, and government rules and regulations. Marketing/External Relations: Drive the strategy and marketing for student recruitment, enrollment and retention; develop a robust pipeline of potential new students; Establish collaborative relationships with the community at large to enhance and integrate services to CET students and graduates; Advocate for workforce development and education programs, ensuring there is strong awareness of CET programs and services among local business, nonprofit and government leaders; Establish leadership role in developing industrial and employer support through industrial advisory boards and technical advisory committees that support the updating of technology in training and job placement of graduates; Advocate regionally and nationally on issues affecting low income individuals. Financial Management: In collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer, develop annual operating plans and budgets with specific analysis of the funding needs (for staff, operating infrastructure 2

3 and other resources) for CET Centers; Maintain management and fiscal systems that meet the requirements of laws and funding agencies; Provide oversight and monitor and evaluate programs for performance and budget controls; Participate in the preparation of contracts, reports and financial management for all funds. As needed, seek funding or assist in preparing grant proposals to support programs and goals. General Ensure that the infrastructure for efficient training is provided to enable Center leaders to deliver effective services; Lead and ensure the success of self-studies by CET Centers for Council on Occupational Education (COE), Western Associate of Schools and Colleges (WASC) re-accreditation, and state approvals, as needed; Remain current on the employment and training needs of low income persons as well as emerging strategies of government entities, nonprofit organizations, advocacy organizations, businesses and funders. IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES Within the first 90 days the Deputy Director will: Thoroughly understand CET and current programs that operate in all of the Centers. Understand CET s history, culture, traditions, personalities, constituencies, and governance structure; its base of financial support, the short- and long-term funding requirements of the program, and all possible sources of funding and support that could drive expansion of the programs; With the Regional Directors, develop a strategy and marketing plan designed to recruit and retain a robust pipeline of CET students; Assess operations in the CET Centers and provide support where appropriate; understand current methodologies, processes, evaluation approaches and systems that support CET programs and ensure they are being used effectively; Develop strong relationships with, and secure the trust and confidence of, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Directors of Education, Financial Aid, Human Resources and Contract Administration, Regional Directors and Center Directors; In close collaboration with CET s leadership, drive the strategic plan of the organization. IDEAL EXPERIENCE Candidates should have the following type of experience and qualifications: Understanding of the impact of poverty, unemployment and underemployment on individuals, families and communities; the ability to implement education and human 3

4 development programs that address the causes and consequences of these factors in diverse communities; An understanding of process management and accountability programs for clients and staff; Demonstrated management and leadership skills in motivating, mentoring, directing and managing staff; A strong facility with budgets and finances; a business sense to understand how financial data and drivers can inform the success and outcomes of programs; an understanding of evidence-based methodologies and program options that can be tailored to the specific needs of clients; A business orientation with a strong entrepreneurial spirit; Experience in marketing and building public support for programs; A track record as an exceptional communicator (both written and oral) in Spanish and English; An aptitude at crafting proposals and partnerships, with an ease in negotiating and implementing productive partnerships; Broad-based knowledge of funding and alliances required to sustain workforce development programs; experience in government funding and in building alliances with business and labor groups would be advantageous. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS The successful candidate should be: A mission-driven individual with a belief in and commitment to the social justice mission of CET; one who seeks to build programs based on culture, commitment and accountability among staff, clients and partners; An open-minded, good listener and strategist who is able to identify emerging issues, receive input from many sources and analyze and formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan; Fearless yet tactful, determined yet respectful of other s concerns, someone with the flexibility and creativity needed to find alternative ways to reach objectives when barriers arise, and a skilled negotiator who is open to other viewpoints; A caring, supportive, enthusiastic manager and leader who sets the bar high and holds him/herself and the team accountable; a mentor and guide who believes in and encourages professional development for the team; An effective communicator able to build enthusiasm for the CET model and programs, with exceptional verbal and written communication skills in Spanish and English; A hard worker with a high energy level, a doer with a willingness to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of activities without being a micro-manager, and someone who is committed to a collaborative work environment; 4

5 A well-organized and focused leader who will earn the respect of CET s executive leadership, members of the Board, the staff and the community; Emotionally mature with the flexibility and sensitivity to work with diverse personalities and situations. For more information please contact: Lisa Grossman (650) or lisag@moppenheim.com Barbara Kimport ( or barbarak@moppenheim.com m/oppenheim Associates 221 Main Street, Suite 540 San Francisco, CA Center for Employment Training November