Director Workforce Development Program Jobs in Pennsylvania

Program Director Workforce Development- Institute for Disability Empowerment and Advocacy
Salary: Commensuratewith experience
Benefits: TheUniversity offers generous benefits including paid time off (holidays, holydays and vacation), employer matching contributions to the retirement plan, andtuition benefits for employees and their eligible dependents. Learn more andexplore benefits at www.duq.edu/benefits
Location: Institute for Disability Empowermentand Advocacy
Position Status: Full-time
Hours: Varied
Position Number: 241295/10-1210
FLSA Status: Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Program Director forWorkforce Development leads the Institute for Disability Empowerment andAdvocacy's efforts to create meaningful, competitive employment opportunitiesfor individuals with disabilities. This position is responsible for developingand sustaining partnerships with employers, training providers, and communityorganizations to build inclusive workforce pipelines. The Director designs andimplements strategies that connect participants with career pathways, supportstheir preparation and placement, and ensures alignment with industry demand.Through collaboration, advocacy, and innovation, the Director advances theInstitute's mission of empowering individuals with disabilities to achieveeconomic independence and long-term career success.
This new position is beingcreated to establish a dedicated workforce development function within theInstitute for Disability Empowerment and Advocacy (IDEA). As IDEA launchesinitiatives focused on inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment, a specializedrole is needed to connect individuals with disabilities to meaningfulemployment and advancement opportunities. The Program Director will buildrelationships with employers, workforce agencies, and community partners tocreate pathways that align participant strengths with market needs. Thisposition ensures IDEA fulfills its mission of fostering economic independenceand workforce inclusion, serving as a catalyst for sustainable partnerships andmeasurable employment outcomes.
DUTIESAND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Strategy andDevelopment: Designs, implements, and evaluates workforce development programsthat prepare individuals with disabilities for competitive, integratedemployment. Develops strategies and initiatives aligned with industry demand,accessibility standards, and the Institute's mission.
Employer and CommunityPartnership Building: Cultivates and manages relationships with employers,workforce agencies, vocational rehabilitation services, and communityorganizations. Promotes inclusive hiring practices, identifies job placementopportunities, and collaborates with partners to address workforce barriers.
Participant Support andPlacement: Oversees recruitment, assessment, and job placement of participants.Coordinates career readiness training, coaching, and follow-up support toensure sustainable employment outcomes. Works directly with employers andparticipants to promote successful matches.
Data Management and Reporting:Collects and analyzes data related to program participation, employmentoutcomes, and employer engagement. Prepares reports and evaluation summariesfor internal and external stakeholders to support continuous improvement andfunding efforts.
Collaboration and Outreach:Represents the Institute at regional and national workforce development events,conferences, and employer roundtables. Works with University departments andexternal partners to integrate IDEA's workforce initiatives with broaderinstitutional and community goals.
Performs other relatedresponsibilities or special projects to advance the mission of the Institute.
Completes other duties asassigned.
SUPERVISORYRESPONSIBILITIES:
Guides work of others whoperform the same work. May organize, set priorities, schedule and review work,but has no responsibility to hire, terminate, reviewing performance or make paydecisions, e.g., Lead position.
REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor's degreefrom an accredited educational institution
A minimum of five to eightyears of progressively responsibleexperience in workforce development, vocational rehabilitation,employment services, or a related field is required. Experience should includedeveloping and managing employment or training programs, establishingpartnerships with employers, and supporting job placement and retention forindividuals with disabilities or other diverse populations. Demonstratedexperience in program design, data tracking, and collaboration with governmentagencies, nonprofits, and educational institutions is essential.
PA Driver's licensein good standing.
Preferredqualifications:
Master's degree from an accredited institution in SpecialEducation, Rehabilitation Counseling.
An ACRE (Associationof Community Rehabilitation Educators) certificate isthe most common foundational requirement for employment specialists. Topractice Customized Employment, you must specifically earn an ACRE certificatewith an Emphasis on Customized Employment.
Certified Employment Support Professional - Advancedcompetency in job development, customized employment, job coaching, anddisability legislation.
Experience leading disability employment initiatives ormanaging workforce programs within higher education, nonprofit, orcommunity-based organizations is preferred. Familiarity with the Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA), Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and bestpractices in inclusive hiring is highly desirable. Prior experience workingdirectly with employers to implement accessibility strategies, create jobaccommodations, and promote workforce inclusion is strongly preferred.
Alternatively, the successfulcandidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training,which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform theessential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Workforce Development Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of workforcesystems, vocational rehabilitation, and employment services for individualswith disabilities; ability to design and manage programs that promotecompetitive, integrated employment.
RelationshipBuilding and Partnership Management: Strong ability to cultivate andsustain relationships with employers, workforce boards, government agencies,and community organizations to create inclusive employment pipelines.
Communicationand Advocacy Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with theability to advocate effectively for accessibility, inclusion, and workplaceaccommodations with diverse audiences.
Strategicand Programmatic Thinking: Capacity to align program activities with the Institute's missionand industry needs while balancing participant goals, employer expectations,and measurable outcomes.
DataAnalysis and Reporting: Proficiency in collecting, interpreting, and reporting data toevaluate program impact, track participant outcomes, and inform continuousimprovement.
Collaborationand Teamwork: Demonstrated success working across disciplines and sectors,fostering cooperation among academic units, community partners, and employers.
Leadershipand Initiative: Ability to take initiative, set goals, and lead others towardshared objectives; adept at managing multiple priorities in a dynamicenvironment.
ProblemSolving and Adaptability: Skilled at identifying barriers to employment and developingcreative, practical solutions that respond to changing conditions and needs.
Knowledgeof Accessibility and Compliance: Familiarity with laws and best practices related to disabilityinclusion, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and equalemployment opportunity standards.
CulturalCompetence and Sensitivity: Commitment to fostering belonging, respect, and a demonstratedcommitment to equality, inclusion, and social justice in community work.
Ability toestablish and maintain effective working relationships with the UniversityCommunity.
Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the Universityand to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. Themission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit ofservice, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and anecumenical campus community.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Applicantsare asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for threeprofessional references.
DuquesneUniversity was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, theCongregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic inmission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity,Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution andas an employer.