Workforce & Industry Lead

SDSU Research Foundation; California (MO); On-site; USD 43,050 - 47,678; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal opportunity employer

Supportive work environment

Job summary

SDSU Research Foundation in California seeks a Workforce & Industry Lead to support workforce development programs for in-school youth and other designated populations. The role focuses on participant recruitment, employer engagement, and program administration.

The ideal candidate possesses knowledge of workforce principles, experience in case management, and strong communication skills. They will coordinate outreach and support individuals facing barriers to education and employment.

This position is non-negotiable at $31.25 - $34.61 per hour based on experience.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of workforce development principles and practices.
• Ability to coordinate outreach and engagement activities with community partners.
• Experience in case management and participant tracking.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate participant recruitment and engagement activities.
• Lead employer outreach and relationship-building activities.
• Maintain data systems and compliance records.

Skills

Workforce development

Career services

Employer engagement

Case management

Data tracking and compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent training

Tools

CalJOBS or comparable systems

Job description

Overview

This position is budgeted at $31.25 - $34.61 per hour depending on experience and is non‑negotiable.

Established in 1943, the mission of the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is to support the research objectives of San Diego State University by helping faculty and staff find, obtain, and administer funding for their research and sponsored programs.

Purpose Of The Position

The Workforce & Industry Lead supports the implementation and delivery of workforce development programs serving In‑School Youth and other designated populations. These programs support both SDSU and non‑SDSU students, including prospective students from feeder schools and partner organizations, as well as youth and students from K‑12 school districts, community colleges, and community‑based organizations throughout the Greater San Diego Metropolitan Region.

Programs are designed to support individuals facing barriers to education and employment, including low‑income individuals, students with disabilities, formerly incarcerated individuals, foster youth, pregnant or parenting youth, individuals experiencing homelessness, and other priority populations identified by funding partners.

This position serves as a flexible, cross‑functional team member responsible for supporting workforce solutions, industry relations, and program administration activities. The Workforce & Industry Lead works directly with participants, employers, partners, and project staff to coordinate services, support participant success, strengthen employer engagement, maintain compliance, and advance project goals.

Responsibilities

Workforce Solutions (30%)

• Coordinate participant recruitment, engagement, retention, and follow‑up activities.
• Deliver and coordinate career exploration, workforce readiness, employment preparation, and work‑based learning activities.
• Facilitate workshops, trainings, orientations, and career development services.
• Provide resource navigation, referrals, and participant support throughout the program lifecycle.
• Maintain participant records, service documentation, case notes, and outcome tracking activities.
• Utilize AI and emerging technology to create workforce solutions to prepare candidates for employment.

Industry Relations (30%)

• Lead employer and community outreach, engagement, and relationship‑building activities.
• Develop work‑based learning, job shadowing, internship, and employment opportunities.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with employers, industry partners, chambers, educational institutions, SBDCs, Offices of Economic Development/EDCs, and community organizations.
• Oversee employer events, career fairs, hiring activities, presentations, and partnership initiatives.
• Initiate job development, opportunity matching, and participant placement activities.
• Utilize AI and emerging technology to create workforce solutions to assist employers with talent acquisition.

Program Administration & Outreach (30%)

• Coordinate participant eligibility determination, enrollment, onboarding, and documentation activities.
• Maintain participant files, data systems, compliance records, and program documentation.
• Coordinate data collection, reporting, quality assurance, and compliance activities.
• Participate in audits, monitoring reviews, site visits, and compliance‑related activities.
• Lead marketing, design, and outreach activities to attract job seekers and employers to programing.
• Identify, communicate, and help resolve operational, compliance, participant, and employer‑related challenges.
• Support continuous improvement efforts, special projects, and workforce development initiatives.
• Utilize AI and emerging technology to support administrative processes and overall program success.

Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of workforce development, career services, employer engagement, work‑based learning, and grant‑funded program models, including general familiarity with WIOA, EDD, and Department of Labor‑funded initiatives.
• Ability to coordinate participant recruitment, eligibility, enrollment, engagement, retention, follow‑up, documentation, and outcome tracking activities.
• Ability to deliver career readiness, employment preparation, career exploration, job search support, resource navigation, and participant‑centered workforce services.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships with employers, educational institutions, community‑based organizations, workforce partners, and regional stakeholders to support job development, work‑based learning, and employment pathways.
• Ability to interpret program requirements, maintain accurate records, support compliance activities, use data to track performance, contribute to continuous improvement, and meet all program outcomes, performance measures, and grant goals in an outcomes‑focused environment.

Education & Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent training and administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices or programs.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in an office or administrative environment.

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

• Familiarity with CalJOBS or comparable workforce development, case management, student information, or participant tracking systems.
• Familiarity with case management practices, including participant intake, service planning, documentation, follow‑up, referrals, and outcome tracking.
• Established relationships and/or demonstrated experience collaborating with community colleges, workforce boards, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Offices of Economic Development, Economic Development Corporations (EDCs), chambers of commerce, or related regional workforce and economic development partners.

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti‑discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.