Director Workforce Development Jobs in California

Description

About GRID Alternatives

GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. GRID is an entrepreneurial, high-growth non-profit organization that provides direct solar installation and project development; clean mobility options; workforce training and service-learning opportunities; and low-income solar policy advocacy.

Our Vision: a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone.

Our Mission: to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.

What it's like to work at GRID...

At GRID, we care about each other and know that each employee has a whole self that includes life outside of work. Our culture supports learning, growth and well-being of all of our team members.

Summary of the role:

The Workforce Job Developer plays a critical role in advancing GRID Alternatives' workforce development initiatives by building strong relationships with employers, industry partners, and community collaborators to support job placement and career pathways for program participants.

This role focuses on recruitment, employer engagement, and job development for graduates of the Installation Basics Training (IBT) program. It ensures participants connect to meaningful employment opportunities within the clean energy and construction industries.

This role of the Job Developer will serve as a key connector between trainees, employers, workforce partners, and industry collaborators, helping amplify GRID Alternatives' workforce impact and strengthen employment pipelines for individuals facing barriers to employment.

ON SITE position based out of Sacramento, CA

What you will be doing (essential responsibilities):

Employer Engagement & Industry Partnerships

• Identify and engage target employers and industry sectors aligned with local workforce needs, particularly within solar, construction, and clean energy industries.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with employers, industry leaders, and workforce partners to expand job placement opportunities for IBT graduates.
• Facilitate industry engagement activities, including employer roundtables, focus groups, hiring events, and partner meetings to strengthen workforce pipelines.
• Proactively identify and secure job opportunities aligned with trainee skills and workforce program outcomes.
• Coordinate employer engagement opportunities such as job fairs, hiring events, employer panels, and site visits.
• Serve as a representative of GRID Alternatives within workforce development networks, strengthening collaborator relationships and expanding industry partnerships.

Job Development & Career Pathway Support

• Provide comprehensive job development services to support Installation Basic Training -IBT graduates in securing paid employment in the renewable energy and construction industries.
• Lead job placement activities, including career coaching, job search strategies, resume and cover letter support, interview preparation, and job retention support.
• Conduct ongoing follow-up with employers and graduates to track employment outcomes and ensure successful job retention.
• Lead alumni engagement initiatives to support continued career advancement and strengthen GRID Alternatives' workforce alumni network.
• Facilitate job readiness activities including job clubs, networking opportunities, and career pathway education.

Participant Support & Case Management

• Provide individualized case management and career coaching to trainees throughout the training program and post-graduation.
• Support participants in navigating employment barriers and developing long-term career pathways.
• Assist with delivering orientation and employment readiness curriculum within the IBT program when needed.
• Maintain regular communication with trainees and alumni to facilitate job placement and retention efforts.

Recruitment & Workforce Program Support

• Support recruitment efforts for workforce training programs by engaging community partners, workforce organizations, and local stakeholders.
• Assist in coordinating the selection and onboarding of workforce program participants.
• Collaborate with workforce development staff to ensure strong alignment between training outcomes and employer needs.
• Data Tracking, Reporting & Program Evaluation
• Collect, track, and maintain accurate trainee and employment data using systems such as Salesforce, Google Sheets, and other program tracking tools.
• Develop and maintain systems to track workforce program outcomes including job placements, retention rates, sector placement, and employer engagement metrics.
• Support program reporting and grant compliance by maintaining detailed documentation of workforce development activities and outcomes.
• Work closely with the Development team to support grant writing, reporting, and program evaluation efforts.

Stakeholder Engagement & Program Development

• Build and maintain relationships with local employers, workforce development partners, community organizations, and training providers.
• Engage in regional workforce development initiatives to strengthen industry alignment and program impact.
• Research and apply effective methods to improve the impact of GRID Alternatives' workforce development programs.
• Collaborate with the Workforce and Technical Academy teams to continuously improve training-to-employment pathways.

Additional Responsibilities

• Coordinate trainee communications and support engagement throughout the workforce program lifecycle.
• Participate in meetings and initiatives committed to workforce growth in the region.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support workforce program goals and regional talent development efforts.

Requirements

Your areas of knowledge and expertise...

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships with clients and employers.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in human resources, social services, or career counseling
• Research and computer skills to identify job opportunities and manage participant information.
• Networking and negotiation abilities to match candidates with suitable positions.
• Knowledge of local labor market and job trends
• Proficiency in MS Office and job search engines, CRM (Salesforce), etc
• Ability to work with diverse populations and understand their needs
• Must be willing to travel 25% of the time to meet partners, attend events

It would be great if you also had...

• An associate degree in human services, marketing, or related fields.
• Bilingual/Biliterate in any other language, next to English

Benefits and how we take care of you

Compensation:

The compensation range for this fulltime position is $55,000-$75,000. The base pay that will actually be offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, experience and take into account internal equity.

Benefits:

Medical, Dental, Vision/Eye Care insurance, 5 weeks paid time off (PTO),13 paid holidays, Commuter Checks, 403b Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), STD, LTD, and AD&D insurance

Where you will sit & the places you may go...

The ideal candidate will sit in our Sacramento California office. This position may require up to 25% out-of-town travel to regional offices and special projects such as org-wide celebrations, team building exercises, etc. Availability to work nights and weekends may very rarely be required. GRID Alternatives may provide vehicles for work travel and/or travel reimbursement for personal vehicle use. In this instance, applicants must hold a valid driver's license and have a good driving record.

Important to note for California applicants:

**Hired CA candidates must be able to pass a screening for drugs that are illegal in the state of California, including: amphetamine, cocaine metabolite, opiates, and PCP.

Reasonable Accommodation for Job Seekers with a Disability:

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: RECRUITING@GRIDALTERNATIVES.ORG

Ready to Apply?

Submit a resume describing your interest. Due to the high volume of inquiries, mailed and emailed applications are not accepted.

GRID Alternatives provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Because we value EID at GRID Alternatives, we encourage folks from all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications. Every member of GRID Alternatives must be dedicated to participating in the organization's equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) work.