Workforce Development Specialist - Remote
Reports To
Program Manager
Who is Persevere?
Persevere is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering justice-involved individuals through innovative workforce development and career preparation support services that give real access to quality employment in the technology industry. Specifically, Persevere provides technology training, career readiness instruction and support, wraparound case management, individualized job-based mentoring, and job placement services for justice-impacted individuals and people at risk for justice involvement.
Founded by and for people with lived experience with criminal justice, corrections, and poverty, Persevere understands the needs of the justice-impacted population as few organizations can, and our work embodies our commitment to reducing racial inequalities throughout all aspects of society and eliminating disproportionate minority contact and disproportionate minority confinement within the criminal justice system. As we have grown and expanded, we have focused on developing and executing strategies that continue to expand our mission of reducing racial disparities and inequalities, both as part of our work, and as well, our organization's practices regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Real Hope. Valuable Skills. Meaningful Opportunity.
Job Overview
The Workforce Development Specialist will play a pivotal role in aligning the needs of our employer partners with market research to create impactful technology education and training programs. Working closely with the Education, Program Director and the Employment Coordinator, this role involves Market Research and client data to assist the education team in developing short-term (6 months or less) training initiatives focused on equipping underserved individuals with the skills needed to thrive in technology roles. This work will ensure that our programs are responsive to market needs and accessible to those who stand to benefit the most.
Responsibilities and Duties
-
Employer Needs Assessment & Market Research
-
Conduct thorough assessments of employer needs and stay abreast of emerging trends in the technology sector to inform our training programs.
-
Engage with industry partners to understand the evolving skills landscape and identify high-demand areas within technology.
-
Program Development & Implementation
-
Collaborate with the Education, Program Director, and Technology Employment Specialist to design and implement technology education programs that can be completed in 6 months or less, ensuring they are tailored to meet the needs of underserved communities.
-
Develop curricula that incorporate practical, hands-on training in key technology domains, ensuring relevance and applicability to current job markets.
-
Accessibility & Inclusivity Initiatives
-
Create strategies to make technology education and training accessible to individuals from underserved communities, removing barriers to participation and success.
-
Ensure that program materials and delivery methods are inclusive and supportive of a diverse range of learners.
-
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
-
Foster strong relationships with community organizations, educational institutions, and technology companies to support the implementation and scaling of training programs.
-
Serve as a liaison between employers, the education team, and community partners to ensure alignment and responsiveness to community needs.
-
Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
-
Implement mechanisms for ongoing evaluation of program effectiveness, including participant feedback, employment outcomes, and employer satisfaction.
-
Use data-driven insights to continuously refine and adapt training programs to better serve the needs of both employers and participants. Core Competencies
-
Deep understanding of workforce development principles, especially within the context of technology education for underserved communities.
-
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate market research and employer needs into actionable training strategies.
-
Excellent collaboration and communication skills, capable of working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
-
Commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in education and employment opportunities.
Qualifications
-
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Education, Business, Technology, Human Resources, or a related field.
-
Minimum of 5 years of experience in workforce development, educational program design, or a related area, with a focus on technology.
-
Strong understanding of the technology sector, current market trends, and the unique needs of underserved communities.
-
Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
We highly value
-
Passion for and responsibility to the customer/partner
-
Must be self-starting, hardworking and inquisitive
-
Leadership through innovation in everything you do
-
Passion for what you do and being self-critical to improve
-
Relentless commitment to win
-
Personal and corporate integrity