Operations Director

Kaizen Lab Inc.; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Living Classrooms Foundation in Baltimore seeks an Operations Director for Project SERVE to oversee day-to-day field operations, staffing, logistics and service delivery. You will ensure alignment with safety standards and organizational policies while guiding staff and coordinating with program teams.

You will partner with program leadership to align operations with participant outcomes and grant requirements, while driving continuous improvement and maintaining strong accountability across all

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of five years of experience in operations management, workforce development, or community-based programming.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing field-based teams.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in data tracking, reporting systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily field operations including scheduling, logistics, equipment use, and worksite supervision.
• Ensure field operations align with Living Classrooms Foundation policies, SOPs, and safety standards.
• Monitor and resolve operational challenges impacting service delivery, timelines, or participant engagement.
• Ensure field operations support program goals related to employment readiness, skill development, and community safety.
• Collaborate with program leadership to align field schedules with case management meetings, training sessions, and other programmatic requirements.
• Oversee procurement, inventory, and monitoring of equipment and tools to ensure safety standards for staff and participants.
• Support grant compliance responsibilities and track outputs for reporting and monitoring.
• Participate in audits, monitoring visits, and corrective action planning.

Skills

Leadership

Organization

Problem-solving

Data tracking

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Data tracking systems

Job description

Operations Director

About Living Classrooms

Founded in Baltimore in 1985, Living Classrooms Foundation is a Baltimore – Washington, DC nonprofit that disrupts the cycle of poverty and helps our community become safer, stronger, and healthier by building skills for life. Living Classrooms inspires children, youth, and adults to achieve their potential through hands‑on education, workforce development, health and wellness, and violence prevention programming. Living Classrooms has developed a distinctive competency in experiential learning –learning by direct experience – or what we call “learning by doing.” We utilize our environmental campuses, athletic fields, community centers, and historic ships as “living classrooms.” We work with one child, one teen, one adult, and one family at a time to identify existing barriers towards success and provide resources and opportunities to help each person reach their full potential, thus supporting stronger family units and more resilient communities.

While each of our program areas is distinct, in combination they create a powerful synergy. Our maritime heritage sites create opportunities for employment training. Our educational programs use our environmental and maritime resources as living learning laboratories. Our employability programs create stronger communities that are better prepared to exercise environmental stewardship.

Position Summary

The Operations Director for Project SERVE is responsible for overseeing the day‑to‑day field operations, staffing, logistics, and operational performance of the Project SERVE program. This role ensures the effective delivery of workforce development and community safety services for justice‑involved individuals through strong operational leadership, staff supervision, and cross‑departmental collaboration.

The Operations Director works closely with the Program Director of Case Management Services and the Workforce Development Administrator to align operational execution with participant outcomes, grant requirements, and organizational goals, while maintaining high standards of safety, accountability, and service quality.

Key Responsibilities

Program and Operational Management

• Oversee daily field operations including scheduling, logistics, equipment use, and worksite supervision.
• Ensure field operations align with Living Classrooms Foundation policies, standard operating procedures, and safety standards.
• Monitor and resolve operational challenges impacting service delivery, timelines, or participant engagement.
• Ensure field operations support program goals related to employment readiness, skill development, and community safety.
• Collaborate with program leadership to align field schedules with case management meetings, training sessions, and other programmatic requirements to ensure participant availability and compliance.
• Oversee procurement, inventory, and monitoring of equipment and tools to ensure adequate quantity, quality, and safety standards for staff and participants.

Grant and Compliance Support

• Support grant compliance responsibilities in collaboration with the Program Director of Case Management Services and under the oversight of the Workforce Development Administrator.
• Track operational outputs, credentials earned, and worksite completion metrics for grant reporting and internal performance monitoring.
• Participate in audits, monitoring visits, and corrective action planning as needed in coordination with departmental leadership.

Budget and Fiscal Support

• Support operational budget planning and expense tracking in collaboration with the Workforce Development Administrator.
• Submit purchase requests, check requests, and expense documentation to the Workforce Development Administrator for review and approval.
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities and operational efficiencies while maintaining program quality and safety.

Staff Supervision and Leadership

• Supervise and support field staff, crew leaders, and operations personnel.
• Conduct regular supervision meetings, performance evaluations, and professional development planning.
• Provide coaching and corrective feedback to ensure accountability, productivity, and adherence to program standards.
• Promote a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Data Tracking and Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely operational data entry related to attendance, productivity, credentials, and outputs.
• Utilize departmental data systems and reporting tools to monitor progress and inform operational decision‑making.
• Collaborate with the Program Director of Case Management Services to align operational and case management data for holistic program reporting.

Safety and Risk Management

• Ensure staff and participants adhere to safety protocols, PPE requirements, and equipment and vehicle standards.
• Conduct regular inspections of equipment, vehicles, and worksites to ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Monitor and reduce field incidents through proactive planning, training, and supervision.
• Ensure all incidents are reported within 24 hours and documented according to organizational policy.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain strong working relationships with internal departments, community partners, and system stakeholders.
• Participate in leadership meetings, case conferences, and program planning sessions.
• Support employer engagement and community‑based projects connected to Project SERVE operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Workforce Development, Criminal Justice, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in operations management, workforce development, or community‑based programming.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing field‑based teams.
• Strong organizational, problem‑solving, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in data tracking, reporting systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with justice‑involved populations.
• Knowledge of workforce development systems, public safety initiatives, and reentry programs.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal funding sources.
• Experience implementing SOPs, corrective action plans, and continuous quality improvement processes.

Key Competencies

• Operational leadership and decision‑making
• Staff supervision and coaching
• Field operations and logistics management
• Safety and risk mitigation
• Data‑informed performance management
• Cross‑functional collaboration
• Clear and professional communication

Key Performance Indicators

• Consistent delivery of scheduled field operations with minimal disruptions.
• Timely and accurate submission of operational data and documentation for grant and internal reporting.
• Reduction in field incidents and safety violations through proactive supervision and training.
• High staff productivity, retention, and engagement within field teams.
• Achievement of operational outputs including credentials earned, worksites completed, and participant work hours.
• Compliance with organizational policies, safety standards, and funder requirements.
• Effective coordination with case management and training teams to ensure participant compliance with program requirements.
• Positive feedback from internal stakeholders, partners, and funders regarding operational effectiveness and professionalism.

Disclaimer

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as organizational needs evolve.