Residential Training Program Director

Knobelsdorff (KE); Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits package

Life insurance and disability coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and education assistance

Job summary

Evolution Solar seeks a Residential Program Manager to lead day‑to‑day operations for a 10‑week, 350‑hour semi‑residential training program in Oglesby, IL. You will coordinate with instructional and facilities teams to uphold residential standards and ensure participant success in industrial solar fieldwork.

You will manage housing, safety, schedules, and house rules, while mentoring participants and partnering with the Evolve Foundation to deliver life skills and support resources.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in residential program management, workforce development, social services, education, correctional reentry, or related fields.
• Strong ability to build rapport and maintain professional boundaries with adult learners from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience managing residential or group‑living environments (e.g., campus housing, job corps, workforce camps, transitional housing, etc.).
• Exceptional communication, de‑escalation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to maintain structure, accountability, and safety while fostering an encouraging environment.
• Comfortable working in a setting that includes physical labor training and industrial construction culture.
• Experience working with system impacted or equity eligible populations.

Responsibilities

• This position will be onsite in our Oglesby location for the duration of each cohort.
• Manage daily residential operations during training cohorts, ensuring a safe, clean, respectful, and well-functioning environment.
• Oversee participant orientation, check-in, schedules, house rules, residential expectations, and housing‑related records.
• Coordinate facility maintenance, safety checks, and residential needs with appropriate support teams.
• Build a positive cohort culture focused on teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and career readiness.
• Serve as a primary resource and mentor for participants, providing one‑on‑one coaching, conflict resolution, behavior redirection, and non‑clinical support.
• Partner with Evolve Foundation staff to integrate life skills, financial coaching, barrier‑removal resources, and alumni support into the participant experience.
• Coordinate with instructors and operational teams to support technical training, scheduling, attendance, transportation, logistics, and communication throughout each cohort.
• Support and enforce safety protocols, residential policies, behavioral expectations, and incident reporting requirements.
• Partner with trainers and subject matter experts to evaluate curriculum, capture lessons learned, and continuously improve training content and delivery.
• Serve as the central point of continuity across cohorts, ensuring best practices, program improvements, and participant feedback are carried forward.

Skills

Residential program management

Workforce development

Social services

Education

Adult learners

Diversity & inclusion

Job description

Evolution Solar seeks a Residential Program Manager to lead day‑to‑day operations for a 10‑week, 350‑hour semi‑residential training program in Oglesby, IL. You will coordinate with instructional and facilities teams to uphold residential standards and ensure participant success in industrial solar fieldwork.

You will manage housing, safety, schedules, and house rules, while mentoring participants and partnering with the Evolve Foundation to deliver life skills and support resources.