Workforce Development Specialist San Jose

WORKFORCE Development Specialist

What We Do:: New Door Ventures prepares young people (ages 17-24) from the culturally rich communities of San Francisco Oakland and San Jose for work and life. Through our three programs (Employment Education and Career Services) we provide dedicated support and a safe space for young people to explore career opportunities and build the skills and confidence they need to achieve economic mobility.

To serve our San Jose Employment Program here we are currently hiring a

Workforce Development Specialist.

How We Show Up: Our values-Respect Trust Collaboration Learning and Innovation-guide everything we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive community where young people feel valued empowered and equipped with the skills and opportunities to succeed. Our Workforce Development Specialist leads with empathy inclusiveness and equity and believes that all young people can successfully transition to independent adulthood.

Read more about How We Show Up here

About the Job: The Workforce Development Specialist provides advocacy supportive services job readiness coaching and life skills development for New Door Youth. Advocates support and supervise participants in job-training internships serving as a key link between youth and site partners to ensure they have the resources and support needed to succeed in their roles.

Additionally Workforce Specialists will partner with New Doors Transition Services team to connect individuals interested in sector- and/or career-based employment. Our research-based program aligns with known predictive milestones for economic mobility: creating enabling conditions (e.g. establishing safe and trusting relationships) building assets (e.g. resume and interview skills) and promoting agency (e.g. goal setting). Workforce Specialists work closely with Instructors and other team members to provide a wholly integrated experience for program participants.

The Workforce Development Specialist implements a holistic trauma-informed approach to supporting youth in workforce readiness. This role focuses on guiding participants in practicing and applying essential soft skills for employment completing internships and successfully transitioning into long-term paid job opportunities.

A current Workforce Development Specialist described their work and role as:

What I like about my job at NDV is the work that we do the program structure and design is something that I wish were around when I was that age. Opening the door for young people to not just gain work experience but also build connections that help them grow both in their professional and personal lives.

A second thing that I love about my job at NDV is discovering new resources orgs or companies within my local community that help not just our youth but also the larger community.

This position is non-exempt and is primarily on-site at New Doors San Jose Office Sobrato Center for Nonprofits 1400 Parkmoor Ave.. New Door Ventures employs a hybrid work location policy with a 3:2 office/remote cadence and the expectation of in-office days on Tuesdays* Wednesdays* and Thursdays*. This role will require two days of evening work. Some travel is expected both in-city and to our other locations. Exact schedules and locations are set by your supervisor based on the needs of our clients and individual responsibilities. New Door Offices are designed to be welcoming spaces equipped to keep staff and clients protected from infectious disease transmission. Teams strive for respectful collaboration within locations and across regions.

Who You Are : Under the supervision of the San Jose Employment Program Director the ideal candidate will be a self-motivated and accountable youth services provider who demonstrates effective relationship building skills comfort working in an adaptive and innovative work environment superior communication and interpersonal skills and a commitment to advancing equity and economic mobility for youth through culturally responsive trauma-informed and youth-centered practices that promote belonging and dignity for transition-age youth from historically marginalized communities.

What Success Looks Like:

• Passionately works as an advocate and supporter towards the growth and success of young people in reaching their employment and life goals
• Delivers high-impact training for youth with a diverse set of learning styles and needs
• Confidently interacts with youth and staff at all levels of the organization. This includes our alumni and (occasionally) our board of directors
• Leads with initiative and a continuous improvement lens
• Communicates well with youth and has a healthy understanding of and respect for emotional and other boundary-setting
• They enjoy working to meet goals both individually and as part of a team and are focused on the success of our youth throughout the program
• Can self-manage in the context of trauma-informed work has awareness of self-care needs and knows how to care for their colleagues
• Works well with external partners is nimble and has a strong personal alignment with New Doors Values

Primary Responsibilities:

Instruction and facilitation (30%)

• Conduct high-impact Job Readiness Workshops in various topic areas including but not limited to positive communication and conflict management techniques goal setting towards career advancement digital literacy job application process resumes and cover letters interviewing skills and job retention techniques using various instructional methods
• Create and maintain a positive highly interactive respectful and participatory learning environment
• Collaborate with the curriculum team to plan recommend and develop new or improved activities and ensure high-quality service to all participants in the program
• Identify and seek out guest speakers to facilitate additional workshops career panels etc.
• Analyze clients learning styles and develop course plans accordingly
• Serve on internal task groups and committees as requested

Internship Support (30%)

• Ensure participants are supported and advocated for during their internship experience
• Provide consistent communication with the employment worksite partner and Business Partnerships team in a collaborative and solutions-focused approach
• Empower participants to learn the skills they need to be actively engaged at their internship site and help problem-solve and develop the soft skills to remain employed

Supportive Services and Post-program Goals (20%)

• Provide individual supportive services to participants and coordinate with external providers to meet youth needs such as housing support cash benefits mental health services legal support etc.
• Support youth in the development and attainment of post-program employment and education goals
• Connect participants with other resources to support them in the job market as well as youth pursuing vocational and career development interests
• Monitor youth program performance and consistently evaluate efforts. Use New Doors online case management system (Apricot) effectively to record client work

Outreach & Recruitment Intake Assessments (20%)

• Support program intake process to help ensure that youth participants meet enrollment criteria and target population goals
• Conduct community outreach to recruit new program participants.
• Complete special projects and assist with special events (youth outreach events program graduation etc.)
• Attend outreach and community events to increase New Doors visibility in the community

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• The equivalent of or a Bachelors degree (or higher) in a related field
• 1-3 years of experience in vocational training for transition-age youth adult education or similar settings including direct service to transition-age youth disconnected youth populations preferably in a youth employment program
• Demonstrated success as a Workforce Specialist or a similar role
• Superior youth engagement and relationship management skills
• Demonstrated excellence in youth development principles and practices
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Attention to detail strong organizational time management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently be nimble and dependable and demonstrate initiative
• Knowledge of San Jose transition-age youth needs and resources especially for historically oppressed people including those experiencing poverty BIPOC and LGBTQ individuals
• Ability to use appropriate computer and reporting systems including Windows operating system Microsoft Office Suite Zoom (Apricot or Salesforce knowledge a plus)
• Desired but not required: Bilingual language capabilities preferably Spanish

Compensation

Our Philosophy and Process: At New Door Ventures we value our staff and strive to provide competitive compensation packages to attract and retain top talent in our sector. Salary ranges are organized by level and staff competency is rated on a five-point scale from novice to mastery. The Workforce Development Specialist is a level 2 contributor position and the salary range for that level is $63000-$65920. Candidate offers will be made within that range dependent on demonstrated competency achieved and readiness for the position. Compensation is reviewed annually. Total rewards include medical dental vision mental health and commuter benefits FSA plan a matched 403(b) retirement savings plan tuition support annual individual PD budget and PTO of 8 weeks in the first year including 13 vacation days 10 sick days 13.5 company holidays and an annual year-end rest (typically the week of January 1st).

Staff Learning & Development: New Door Ventures challenges staff professionally and provides ample opportunities for professional development and on-the-job growth. Each staff member joins the team with a robust 90-day onboarding plan designed to train them in their new job. At the conclusion of onboarding each person will develop an annual individual development plan to achieve personal business and growth goals.

New Door Ventures is a safe space for all regardless of race gender sexuality country of origin religion or ability. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. New Door Ventures is a 501(c)3 community-serving nonprofit and an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to have a diverse team representative of the young people it serves.

How to Apply Please send your resume and a thoughtful cover letter letting us know why you think youd be a great addition to our team. Please include: Workforce Development Specialist San Jose in the subject line and email the resume and cover letter to:

While New Door seeks candidates with a skilled work history to support our growth and represent our leadership in the sector we believe that diversity of experience makes us a stronger more prepared team. If your resume does not demonstrate direct work experience in the role you are applying for please tell us in a cover letter why your alternative experience prepares you for success in the position.

**Submissions sent without a cover letter will not be considered**

Required Experience:

IC