Now Hiring: School to Work Specialist
The School to Work Specialist is responsible for the management of school-to-work activities as part of Explore, Engage, Experience (3E) grant initiatives. This grant-funded position would act as a liaison between Johnson County and surrounding area businesses and education partners with the purposes of developing and strengthening the workforce pipeline, increasing work-based learning opportunities throughout the county, and moving economic strategic plan goals forward.
The School to Work Specialist plans and executes regular Education-Industry partner meetings designed to foster good stakeholder relations, brainstorm new initiatives, and inform workforce development plans. This position will conduct business outreach to understand current and future workforce needs and how the business can best connect with our education partners. This position will also be responsible for compiling a written resource for maintaining sustainable partnerships to connect students with work-based learning experiences.
This is an opportunity to make a real impact on the current and future workforce challenges our businesses face and help provide our students with a competitive edge as they enter the workforce. The successful candidate will work to convene a variety of business, community, and education leaders together to support the local workforce pipeline.
This position requires someone with self-motivation, strong problem-solving skills, a genuine passion for their community, a positive attitude, strong interpersonal communications, and customer service skills. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, driven to achieve, and will always display an exemplary manner of professionalism.
Preferred candidates will have prior experience in workforce development or education, along with a foundational understanding education provider operations and internships.
About Aspire Economic Development + Chamber Alliance
Aspire drives economic development and business success in Johnson County, Indiana, and southern Indianapolis. As the local economic development organization for Johnson County, Aspire leverages community and workforce development opportunities to attract, retain, and expand businesses in the county. As the chamber of commerce, Aspire leads the area’s business community by advancing pro-growth policy and providing comprehensive member services to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large corporations.
About Johnson County, Indiana
Johnson County, one of Indiana’s fastest-growing counties, is a contiguous suburb of the state’s capital and a key player in the powerful Central Indiana economic corridor. Johnson County’s GDP is $5.2 billion and unemployment rate is 1.6%.
Johnson County is home to 160,000 residents, primarily living in and around the cities of Greenwood, Franklin, Whiteland, and Bargersville. Another 150,000 people live within five miles north of the County in southern Indy, fueling business growth and success within the Johnson County and Southern Indy area.
Benefits
Competitive compensation package with full benefits including group health, dental, vision, life, 401(k), paid time off, and holiday pay. All benefits are subject to the new hire introductory period.
To Apply
After reviewing the following job description, send your cover letter and resume with salary requirements to Amanda Rubadue, Vice President of Economic Development, at arubadue@AspireJohnsonCounty.com. Questions may be directed to Amanda at this email or 317.888.4856. No walk-ins, please.
Job Summary
Collaborates with Vice President and economic development team to develop and manage school-to-work activities as part of Explore, Engage, Experience (3E) grant initiatives. Is a lead stakeholder with Earlywood to ensure the obtainment of the objectives of the 3E grant. Acts as liaison between business and education partners which includes Earlywood Educational Services, K-12, higher education and technical schools in Johnson County and surrounding areas with the purpose of developing and strengthening the workforce pipeline and moving our economic strategic goals forward. Responsible for the planning and execution of regular Education-Industry Partner meetings designed to foster good stakeholder relations, brainstorm new initiatives, and inform workforce development plans. Responsible to develop an operational strategy, focusing on the people and processes, to create a cohesive and actionable implementation plan to execute work-based learning pathways. Responsible for compiling a written resource for maintaining sustainable partnerships to connect students with work-based learning experiences in high school. Maintains customer management database, assists with research needs and other duties necessary for all projects. Serves as an important liaison with companies, communities, schools, and other partner organizations. An engaged member of the staff team, eager for the success of the organization and the local economy.
Responsible to: Vice-President of Economic Development.
Direct Reports: None.
FLSA Status: Full Time, Salaried-Exempt.
Primary Office: In-person, Greenwood.
Primary Responsibilities
Aspire staff team job descriptions are intended to be overviews of primary responsibilities and should be regarded as fluid documents which will evolve as the organization and stakeholders’ needs evolve.
Business-Education Partner Liaison (65%)
- Regularly meet with and build relationships with businesses, local non-profits, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, technical schools, and community officials to connect companies and students with information, resources, and people.
- Research, draft and present best practices handbook and menu of opportunities for businesses and education partners to connect and expose students to breadth of career opportunities within Johnson County
- Collaborate with Economic Development team to identify community workforce needs, skills gaps, and develop initiatives to addresses those needs.
- Meet with and develop relationships with guidance departments to identify student opportunities for internships, experiential learning, and career-related initiatives.
- Become familiar with Dept. of Education and Dept. of Workforce Development policies, procedures, and requirements as they relate to CTE and internships.
- Attend and participate in local, regional, and state meetings as they relate to career experience: workforce development, economic development, planning, etc.
- Constantly innovate programming and resources to create new opportunities and connections for school-to-work and career placement.
Education-Industry Partnership Initiative (20%)
- Plan and execute regular Education-Industry Partnership meetings that provide opportunities for connection, new ideas and updates on workforce development activities
- Assist in implementing economic development strategies and actions established in the organization’s strategic plan, assist in identifying and measuring metrics of success.
- Collaborate with Aspire staff team to identify, design and execute marketing campaigns throughout region to promote workforce development programs and opportunities.
Database Management (10%)
- Maintain and update customer management files, assist with running reports for staff team, boards, councils, and communities on activities.
Other (5%)
- Works closely with Aspire staff team on outreach and presentation efforts to educate elected officials, volunteers, students, companies, and others about economic development activity.
- Attend all Economic Development Council meetings and assist in planning program content.
- All Aspire staff team members actively share information about all organizational events and services, strategic plan initiatives, and public policy information; and support investor recruitment and retention through information sharing, referrals, and relationship building.
Experience, Skills, and Education
The following qualifications are guidelines. Other combinations of education and experience may provide the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job.
Required Skills and Demonstrated Abilities
- Provide excellent customer service to our businesses, education partners, communities, elected officials, members, existing and potential companies with a problem-solving mindset that includes quality, accuracy, and dependability.
- Establish and maintain strong collaborative, working relationships built on respect, diplomacy, and professionalism with colleagues, organizational leadership, clients, community development partners, and volunteers.
- Exhibit strong interpersonal skills during both oral and written communications, including email, with a high degree of respect, tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.
- Maintain crucial confidentiality with highly sensitive information, trade secrets, company project details and company operations details.
- Research and understand, or willingness to seek to understand, economic trends and professional industry trends to identify ways to best advance the strategic plan, meet community and stakeholder needs.
- Maintain high level of organization and productivity; prioritize daily duties to meet multiple deadlines in a high-volume work environment.
- Exercise discretion, independence, and judgment as a recurring part of performing duties.
Preferred Experience and Education
- Undergraduate degree preferred; or High School Diploma (or GED/High School Equivalence Certificate) with minimum five years of commensurate experience in workforce development, education, government, or another transferable role.
- A foundational understanding of education provider operations, government, and internships.
- Intermediate skill level or above in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Additionally, must abide by all organizational policies and procedures, and must possess:
- A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance.
- Flexibility to conduct work before and/or after traditional business hours (i.e., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and attend meetings/events before and/or after traditional hours; flexibility to conduct work outside of the office as needed and appropriate.
- Physical requirements may include sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time; operating office equipment; arrange meeting room tables and chairs; and lifting to 25 pounds. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.