Education & Workforce Development Lead

Willdan Group, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Willdan Lighting & Electric seeks an Education and Workforce Development Lead in NYC to design inclusive training and career pathways that align with the program’s mission, expanding access to skills, credentials, and jobs in the clean energy economy.

The role collaborates with technical experts, community organizations, training providers, and contractors to align offerings with market demand and citywide decarbonization goals, while building capacity of building stakeholders to advance Local

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education, workforce development, or public policy preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in workforce development, training, or program leadership.
• Knowledge of building science, energy efficiency, or construction trades preferred.
• Familiarity with NYC building energy policy (Local Law 97) and multifamily operations preferred.
• Experience working with co-op/condo boards or stakeholder-led decision-making bodies a plus.
• Strong track record of community partnerships and equity-centered program design.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in curriculum development, outcome tracking, and partnership management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, project management software, and data tracking tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead workforce development strategy across the program, aligning training with NYC decarbonization needs.
• Coordinate existing training opportunities to build clear learning pathways for contractors and building owners.
• Identify education gaps and co-develop new programming with providers.
• Build partnerships with MWBE firms, unions, and community organizations to expand equitable pipelines.
• Oversee curriculum development, instructor recruitment, and delivery of training on building science and energy efficiency.
• Advance two training tracks: workforce pipeline and capacity-building for building stakeholders.
• Design Building Champion training pathways for boards and property staff.
• Coordinate with partners to adapt existing curricula and avoid duplication.
• Facilitate peer learning, workshops, and cohort-based engagement models.
• Promote equitable workforce access through targeted outreach.
• Collaborate with contractor and case management teams to connect graduates with job opportunities.
• Track metrics on participation, certification, placement, and advancement; support continuous improvement.
• Represent the program in citywide coalitions and with funders for aligned training approaches.
• Implement KPIs and support audits to evaluate training quality and compliance.
• Mentor internal staff and contractors supporting workforce initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive work environment focused on innovation and learning.

Skills

Workforce strategy

Curriculum development

Partnership building

Training delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Building science

Electrification

Equity-focused design

Project collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

PM software

Data tracking tools

Job description

Willdan Lighting & Electric, a subsidiary of Willdan Group Inc., is seeking an Education and Workforce Development Lead.

The Education and Workforce Development Lead is responsible for designing and implementing inclusive, impactful training and career advancement pathways that align with a NYC Program's mission. This role ensures that community members-especially those from historically underrepresented groups-gain access to the skills, certifications, and job opportunities needed to thrive in the clean energy economy. The Lead works closely with technical experts, community organizations, training providers, and contractors to align offerings with market demand and citywide decarbonization goals. In addition to workforce pipeline development, this role builds the capacity of building decision-makers - including co-op and condo boards, property managers, and building staff - to advance decarbonization and Local Law 97 compliance projects within their own organizations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead workforce development strategy across the program, ensuring training aligns with NYC's building decarbonization needs.
• Leverage and coordinate existing training opportunities to build clear learning pathways for contractors, building owners, and trainees.
• Identify education gaps and collaborate with providers to co-develop new programming.
• Build and maintain partnerships with MWBE firms, unions, vocational schools, and community-based organizations to expand equitable training pipelines.
• Oversee curriculum development, instructor recruitment, and delivery of training on building science, electrification, and energy efficiency.
• Advance two complementary training tracks: a workforce pipeline model (training, certification, and job placement) and a capacity-building model that equips existing building stakeholders to lead projects within their buildings.
• Design and deliver Building Champion training pathways for board members, property managers, building staff, and other designated stakeholders, equipping them to navigate building improvement projects and support informed decision-making.
• Coordinate with partner organizations to leverage and adapt existing curriculum and resources rather than duplicating available material.
• Facilitate peer learning and community-building offerings - including workshops, roundtables, peer-learning forums, and cohort-based engagement models - to help building stakeholders share experiences and overcome common implementation challenges.
• Promote equitable workforce access through targeted outreach and wraparound services for disadvantaged communities.
• Collaborate with contractor and case management teams to connect graduates with job opportunities.
• Track metrics on participation, certification, placement, and advancement; support continuous improvement based on labor market trends and feedback.
• Represent the program in citywide coalitions, meetings, and with funders to advocate for aligned, inclusive training approaches.
• Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) and support audits or assessments to evaluate training quality and compliance.
• Mentor and guide internal staff, interns, and contractors supporting workforce initiatives.
• Facilitate team and contractor trainings to improve delivery quality and shared understanding of workforce goals.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive work environment focused on innovation, equity, and continuous learning.

Job Requirements / Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; degrees in education, workforce development, or public policy preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in workforce development, training, or related program leadership.
• Knowledge of building science, energy efficiency, or the construction trades strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with NYC building energy policy (Local Law 97 and the Climate Mobilization Act) and multifamily building operations strongly preferred.
• Experience working with co-op/condo boards, volunteer governance structures, or other stakeholder-led decision-making bodies a plus.
• Strong track record of building community-based partnerships and equity-centered program design.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in curriculum development, outcome tracking, and partnership management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management software, and data tracking tools.
• Familiarity with relevant local, state, and federal energy efficiency policies and workforce regulations.

Willdan is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, religion, military service or veteran status, disability, medical condition, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic testing, reproductive status or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Willdan does not discriminate on the basis of physical or mental disability where the essential functions of the job can be reasonably accommodated. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us.

Willdan Lighting & Electric participates in E-Verify.