Department Director, Job Training Center
About The Position
The Anoka County Job Training Center is seeking a Department Director to lead and shape the future of workforce development in our community. This position oversees all operations, budgets, and activities of the Job Training Center, providing strategic vision, policy development, and program oversight. The Director builds and maintains strong partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, ensures compliance with Workforce Development Board requirements, and drives initiatives that support job seekers and employers. This is a key leadership role for an innovative, collaborative professional committed to making a meaningful impact. This position is appointed by and serves at the will of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners and is subject to an employment agreement. This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position. Interviews will begin the week of January 12, 2026, for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.
Requirements
- Requires a bachelor’s degree and at least eight years of leadership or project‑management experience in public sector or non-profit economic support, workforce development, or related program operations.
- In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in Business, Human Services, Public Administration or related field.
- Experience with and knowledge of WIOA, and other employment and training programs and grants.
- Experience leading teams and creating positive and productive work environments.
- Experience in a government or non-profit setting with a focus on employment and training programs.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Previous leadership and supervision experience.
- Previous experience overseeing budgets, fund or grant management or accounting.
- Ability to analyze, develop and interpret rules, regulations, policies and practices.
- Leadership experience overseeing workforce development programs, familiarity with WIOA and other federal employment related funding streams, and/or programs administered by the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Department of Children, Family and Youth (DCYF), etc., or other similar programs in a different state.
- Administrative experience with managing and responding to advisory board protocol and governance procedures.
- Experience developing and maintaining strong and diverse partnerships with organizations and businesses focused on economic and workforce development.
- Experience creating a positive and cohesive customer experience, in an environment of constantly changing funding and program requirements.
- Ability to analyze labor market trends and translate into actionable strategies.
Responsibilities
- Direct daily operations and supervision for the Job Training Center ensuring proper planning, monitoring and evaluation of all programs.
- Responsible for oversight of the short and long-term workforce and economic development vision, strategies, policies and practices within local, state, federal mandates and funding.
- Manage operations to respond to continually changing local, state and federal programs while also staying focused on the overall customer experience.
- Develop and administer innovative program approaches that are responsive to community employment and workforce training needs.
- Oversee the department budget and maintain accounting and data reporting systems to prepare timely and comprehensive grant and budget applications and reports.
- Oversee the analysis of data and direct program planning to ensure effective, efficient and equitable use of public funds.
- Establish, manage and leverage partnerships between businesses, education, government and community organizations that enhance the workforce development system for Anoka County and the metro region.
- Communicate programs and budget recommendations to committees and/or funders of jurisdiction.
- Represent Anoka County in various committees, special assignments, task forces, community advisory boards and state level committees.
- Lead, coach and mentor a team of managers and oversee the Job Training Center staff to meet and/or exceed program performance outcomes.
- Director for the Anoka County Workforce Development Board.
Benefits
- 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.
- Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more at https://www.anokacountymn.gov/benefits .
- Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
- Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
- Advancement/professional development opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
