Workforce Development Specialist

Maine Tasting Center; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

15 vacation days in the first year

12 sick days per year

Health insurance with HSA plan

Retirement plan with employer contrib.

Professional development funding

Job summary

Educate Maine is seeking a Workforce Development Specialist to support and coordinate experiential learning programs across Maine, connecting learners with internships, apprenticeships, and other career pathways. The role partners with employers, schools, and workforce organizations to design and manage events, programs, and partnerships, with in-person work 2–3 days per week in Portland.

Occasional evenings and weekends are required to support programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in fields such as workforce development, organizational development, human resources, non-profit management, recruiting.
• Ability to self-start and creatively solve problems.
• Excellent verbal and written communications; ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong partnership and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work autonomously as well as with a team.
• Flexibility to work hours including nights and weekends.
• Ability to travel regionally and nationally with a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Support and coordinate experiential learning programs including internships, apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships.
• Design, promote, and facilitate events expanding experiential learning opportunities.
• Develop and maintain partner relationships with employers, schools, and organizations.
• Monitor program milestones and implement improvements based on evaluations.
• Represent Educate Maine at meetings, conferences and events to cultivate external partnerships.

Skills

Verbal & written communication

Partnership & collaboration

Travel regionally and nationally

Self-starting and problem solving

Flexibility to work evenings/weekends

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

The Workforce Development Specialist is responsible for supporting and coordinating a portfolio of experiential learning programs that connect learners with career and professional development opportunities throughout Maine. This position will develop and manage partnerships, events, and programming that expand access to internships, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and other workforce development initiatives.

The Specialist will report directly to the Manager of Workforce Partnerships and work closely with external partners including employers, industry groups, workforce development boards/organizations, and education providers (high schools/CTE schools, adult education, and 2- and 4-year colleges and universities) to strengthen connections between education and industry. Additionally, this role will assist the leadership team in designing and implementing broader strategic goals, such as incubating pilot programs and fostering industry partnerships to enhance workforce pathways.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Experiential Learning Program Development and Management

• Work closely with employers to create, implement, and expand internship, registered apprenticeship, and certified pre-apprenticeship programs
• Design, promote, and facilitate events focused on expanding quality experiential learning opportunities for learners working for Maine employers
• Contribute to strategies for recruitment, assessment, development, and retention throughout the apprentice and pre-apprentice lifecycle
• Planning and execution of virtual and in-person events for the Maine Career Catalyst summer internship program
• Monitor progress on programs to ensure milestones and outcomes are met while identifying lessons learned through evaluation findings and implementing program improvement recommendations
• Support year-round program engagement with partner businesses, their in-school and opportunity-youth hires, program alumni, and campus events and activities
• Support and maintain relevant program marketing and social media content
• Support employers and other key partners with challenges encountered with internship and apprenticeship programs and remediate these challenges and put proactive solutions in place for future cycles
• Report successes and challenges to internal and external stakeholders
• Represent Educate Maine at meetings, conferences, events, and partner activities across the state to advance professional development and cultivate external relationships

Organizational Initiatives

• Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement workforce development and experiential learning initiatives, including emerging projects that advance Educate Maine's mission and strategic priorities
• Contribute to professional development programs and other engagement or awareness events hosted by Educate Maine or in partnership with other organizations
• Support planning and execution of the annual Education Symposium

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields, such as workforce development, organizational development, human resources, non-profit management, recruiting
• Ability to self-start and creatively solve problems
• Excellent verbal and written communications; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong partnership and collaboration skills
• Ability to work autonomously as well as with a team
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including nights and weekends
• Ability to organize and direct multiple activities simultaneously
• Ability to travel regionally and nationally and have a valid driver’s license

This position will require the ability to commute to events and meetings throughout Maine. This position is hybrid and, while flexible, is designed to be in person 2–3 days per week on average for employees located near Educate Maine’s Portland office. Applications are accepted from across the state, with remote work flexibility for candidates located outside the Portland area; however, frequent in-person participation in meetings, programs, and events throughout Maine is required. This position requires evening and weekend hours and overnight travel as needed.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• 15 vacation days in the first year of hire
• 12 sick days per year
• Competitive employer health insurance plan including an HSA plan
• Partial premium coverage for spouses and dependents
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• 5% employer contributions for retirement
• Annual professional development funding to support your professional growth
• Employees may also elect dental and vision insurance
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience