Deputy Director, Jobs and Transitions

Best Buddies Int. Inc•Miami, FL

About The Position

The deputy director, jobs and transitions is responsible for overseeing the jobs and transitions programs. They work with state leadership team to hire and manage the jobs staff and are responsible for oversight of the contractual agreements for the jobs and transitions programs. They serve as the point of contact for all contractors, manage all timelines for reporting to contractors, and support the programs staff as required. The deputy director is responsible for creating awareness of the jobs and transitions programs including leveraging current business relationships across regions as well as attending networking opportunities to establish new relationships.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or minimum 4 years relevant experience
Strong project/time management skills - including planning, analysis, attention to detail, and problem solving - and willingness to multitask
Strong presentation, facilitation, and written communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and basic understanding of accounting principals
Initiative, dependability, drive for results, and self-assessment skills
Must be adaptable and able to quickly and effectively develop and balance multiple relationships, and get results from a variety of people
Ability to effectively gain information and insight through questioning/probing and observation of staff in the field, analyze information, and compile reports
Must be comfortable engaging with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and working with them in a supporting role
Must be comfortable with frequent travel throughout the state, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities
Strong initiative, drive for results, and self-assessment skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Responsibilities

Develops relationships with parents, communities, schools, government and other agencies to educate them about Best Buddies Jobs and Transitions, identify potential participants and obtain participant referrals
Performs job development for unemployed participants, including new and current employer relationships; effectively assesses employers’ needs and works with them to create positions that are valuable to their enterprise and in alignment with participant’s goals and support needs
Oversees the job development efforts including setting goals regarding employer outreach and an overall development strategy for the region
Maintains communication with employers/supervisors and advocates for participants' rights to equal treatment and pay from employers while also encouraging self-advocacy and maintaining positive employer-employee relations
Directly manages a caseload of Jobs participants and assumes and/or supports duties of an Employment Consultant or a Jobs Supervisor as needed, including but not limited to performing intakes, conducting Individual Written Program Plans, monitoring progress, and providing job coaching
Makes sound decisions about participants' welfare on the job site, and follows all established health and safety guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all participants
Maintains positive relationships with families, support coordinators, and referral sources
Provides participants and their families assistance and resources in dealing with social security issues, including explanation of work incentives
Attends trainings as needed to maintain required certifications per state regulating agency
Develops employer relationships that can be leveraged regionally for job placements
Coordinate and implement Best Buddies Transitions Program curriculum through classroom-based instruction, small group, and one-to-one support as appropriate. Curriculum includes, but is not limited to, job exploration counseling, self-advocacy, workplace readiness training, work-based learning experiences, and post-secondary educational counseling.
Works to ensure appropriate implementation of the transitions program in their region, including coaching field staff, tracking progress toward benchmarks for success, and establishing and utilizing tracking methods
Works with Director, Jobs & Transitions to hold field staff accountable for meeting their programmatic goals, hitting benchmarks, and following best practices and guidelines
Collaborates with Director, Transitions Program (National) on the development of new programmatic initiatives, especially providing feedback from the field regarding viability
Ensures that the transitions program serves as a bridge between Best Buddies youth and adult programming. Proactively recruiting existing youth participants and facilitating connection of the transition’s students to Best Buddies Jobs
Creates a strong presence for Best Buddies Jobs and Transitions in the local area through public speaking, community involvement, public service announcements, special events, and other media initiatives as well as provides content for monthly social media initiatives
Develops program and expansion opportunities including leveraging current business relationships across regions as well as attending networking opportunities to establish new relationships
Oversee deliverables for private funding sources, including grants, and stewards relationships with existing funders
Execution of 1-2 Jobs and Transitions related events on an annual basis to encourage awareness and employer recognition and work with supervisor(s) on additional fundraising events as directed
Providing information regarding potential donors/supporters to supervisor(s) as appropriate
Engages Jobs and Transition program participants in local Best Buddies activities
Serves as primary contact and lead for state contractors and works with Program Supervisors, Jobs to manage contractual agreements including trainings, file management, timeliness of billing and audits
Provides accountability for all Jobs staff regarding maintenance of organized filing system for all relevant paperwork and the use of Sphere and Raiser’s Edge databases effectively and appropriately to manage Jobs contacts
Ensure that the SetWorks database is properly utilized and updated routinely by the Jobs team
Ensure that the Salesforce database is properly utilized and updated routinely by the Transitions team
Maintains communication with State/Area/Operation and Programs Directors with timely reports, quarterly goals, and other information as directed
Collaborates with State/Area/Operations and Programs Directors to ensure all daily infrastructure needs are met, including supplies, postage, IT, telecommunications, equipment and utilities
Ensures the state offices are compliant with standards from auditing agencies including but not limited to CARF, Regional Centers, Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program.
Manages recruitment, screening, hiring, training and ongoing management for the other Jobs and Transitions staff as needed in accordance with Best Buddies guidelines; approves all reports and conducts staff evaluations
Works with all direct reports to set realistic and strategic goals, holds staff accountable for meeting these goals/plans, and develops performance/behavior improvement plans as needed; provides ongoing training and professional development opportunities as needed