Director of Apprenticeship - Public Service Manager I - Anticipated Vacancy

State of Maine•Augusta, GA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Employment Services seeks a collaborative, strategic, and results-oriented Director of Apprenticeship to lead statewide efforts to strengthen Maine’s apprenticeship system and expand access to high-quality work-based learning. The Director will build partnerships, support employers and workers, and ensure programs provide quality training and meet applicable standards and compliance requirements. The role connects employers, workers, unions and other worker organizations, education and training partners, and government and community partners to develop skilled workers and meaningful career pathways, including opportunities for incumbent workers to gain skills and advance into higher-wage positions. The Director provides statewide leadership and direction for apprenticeship, sets goals and priorities with staff and stakeholders, represents Maine’s Apprenticeship Program with external partners, and leads grant programs and workforce partnerships. The position also leads and develops staff in a supportive, accountable, and collaborative environment. The role is located in Augusta, Maine, and is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Requirements

A combination of education, training, and progressively responsible professional experience in workforce development, apprenticeship, education and training, labor relations, or business and industry partnerships.
Demonstrated experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation; strategic planning; partnership development; and administration involving multiple stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience supervising staff, managing budgets and resources, and administering federal- or state-grant-funded programs.
Demonstrated knowledge of and experience applying federal grant requirements, including applicable laws, regulations, policies, reporting requirements, and performance expectations.
Knowledge of apprenticeship statutes, rules, policies, and best practices, including 29 CFR Parts 29 and 30.
Knowledge of federal and state grant requirements, including sub-recipient contracting, monitoring, and performance reporting.
Knowledge of workforce development systems and the roles of employers, unions and other labor organizations, education and training providers, workforce boards, and community partners.
Skills in leadership, collaboration, consensus building, and developing productive relationships with employers, worker organizations, and other workforce partners.
Skills in grant development and management, developing RFAs, and drafting and managing contracts.
Clear, concise, and accurate written communication, including translating policy, data, and program results into plain language for varied audiences.
Public speaking and presentation skills.
Supervision, coaching, and staff development skills.
Ability to lead complex statewide initiatives involving multiple partners and priorities.
Ability to manage multiple grants, contracts, deadlines, and competing priorities.
Ability to develop relationships with employers, unions and other worker organizations, workers, workforce partners, education and training providers, and other stakeholders.
Ability to bring diverse perspectives together and build consensus around shared workforce goals.
Ability to analyze information, identify opportunities, and make sound recommendations.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and lead with professionalism, accountability, flexibility, and commitment to public service.

Nice To Haves

Experience directly administering or supporting registered apprenticeship programs, such as through a State Apprenticeship Agency, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, or an apprenticeship sponsor.
Experience developing apprenticeship or work-based learning opportunities for incumbent workers and new entrants.
Experience collaborating and building relationships with unions, worker organizations, employers, community organizations, education and training providers, or joint labor-management apprenticeship programs.
Experience managing federal or state grant programs, including sub-recipient oversight, monitoring reviews, and audits.
Experience overseeing a multi-year program budget.
Experience leading a statewide or multi-region program.

Responsibilities

Expand apprenticeship participation across industries, regions, and communities.
Partner with employers, unions, and other worker organizations to help incumbent workers gain skills and advance into skilled, higher-wage positions.
Ensure apprenticeship programs provide meaningful training, support, and recognized credentials while complying with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and policies, including 29 CFR Parts 29 and 30.
Build partnerships with employers, unions and other worker organizations, education and training providers, workforce boards, community organizations, and other workforce partners.
Engage employers, workers, unions, and worker organizations to identify emerging workforce needs and develop apprenticeship opportunities responsive to industry demand.
Represent Maine’s Apprenticeship Program to federal partners, other states, national apprenticeship organizations, employers, worker organizations, and workforce leaders.
Develop goals, priorities, and implementation plans in collaboration with staff and stakeholders.
Lead grant programs from application and award through implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, including reporting to the Legislature and federal and philanthropic funders.
Develop Requests for Applications (RFAs) and establish, administer, and monitor sub-recipient contracts.
Lead, supervise, coach, and develop staff, fostering a supportive, accountable, and collaborative environment focused on service quality and results.
Manage budgets, resources, grants, contracts, deadlines, and competing priorities.
Analyze information, identify opportunities, make recommendations, and communicate program results to legislative, federal, philanthropic, and public audiences.

Benefits

13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and at least three weeks of vacation leave annually; vacation accrual increases with service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
State-paid employee-only health insurance premiums covering 85%–100%, depending on salary; a 5% employee-only premium credit is available for participation in the applicable program.
State-paid 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State contribution of 18.86% of pay to MainePERS retirement.
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.
Employee assistance through the Living Resources Program.
42 consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child; additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.
Additional wellness benefits for State employees.