Program Director (Train and Earn)

Organization Overview: Goddard Riverside is a well-established Manhattan community-based agency with an annual operating budget of approximately $ 50 million. Goddard Riverside is one of New York City’s leading human service organizations meeting the basic needs of children, youth and families, homeless people, and older adults across Manhattan and New York City.

Position Summary: The Education and Workforce Development Department is seeking experienced, strategic thinker who is passionate about workforce and youth development to serve as the Train and Earn Program Director, located within Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center. Reporting to the Director of Education and Workforce Development, the Director is responsible for managing and working with a team to providing program oversight, ensuring that clients have access to a high-quality program, build partnerships, and maintaining all contractual obligations.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week

Salary Range: $83,054.40 - $93,436.20

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Role, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

1. Program Development – 40%

Develop and Oversee Program Goals: Provide oversight of Train and Earn goals from point-of-entry, track progress, and utilize data to coach and supervise staff in achieving these goals. Sector-Based Training Implementation: Develop and implement sector-based training programs by identifying instructors, selecting instructional materials, and defining the scope, structure, and criteria for training placement and graduation. Partnership and Representation: Represent the program to employers, higher education partners, and trade associations. Establish and cultivate community and business partnerships to achieve positive contractual outcomes.

2. Talent Management – 30%

Team Oversight:

• Provide oversight of the Train and Earn teams, ensuring effective coordination and integration of program activities and services.

Staff Development:

• Recruit, train, develop, coach, and retain high-performing team members, including interns.
• Develop systems for consistent, high-quality project management and evaluation.
• Facilitate professional development opportunities and sustain a positive team culture.

Leadership and Communication:

• Foster inter-team communication and cohesiveness, supporting staff through organizational growth and change

3. Administrative Responsibilities – 30%

Compliance and Reporting:

• Oversee program compliance with funder requirements and ensure maintenance of all necessary documentation.
• Collaborate with the Director of Education and Workforce to develop monthly, quarterly, and annual placement and partnership targets.

Data and Deliverables:

• Engage with Fiscal and Development Offices to manage grants, meet deliverables, collect and analyze data, and prepare reports.
• Participant Placement and Retention:
• Work with the team to maximize participant placement and retention within the organization.

Team Collaboration:

• Serve as an integral member of the Education and Workforce Development Team under the supervision of the Director of Education and Workforce.

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

Education & Experience: A bachelor's degree in social work or a related field and experience working with city systems such as public assistance, child welfare, education, and housing; or an associate’s degree and experience working with City systems such as public assistance, child welfare, education, and housing; or at least three (3) years successful experience in providing case management/counseling and working with City systems such as public assistance, child welfare, education, and housing, including internships and undergraduate work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bi-/Multilingual, Spanish, Haitian Creole, French

Skill, Knowledge and Abilities

• Working Knowledge: Sufficient familiarity with workforce development, career readiness, job placement processes, and the employment barriers young adults face.
• General Knowledge: City systems such as public assistance programs, child welfare services, education systems, and affordable housing resources.
• Thorough Knowledge: Case management principles and practices, including developing case plans, documenting case notes, and facilitating youth development strategies. Workshop development and group facilitation techniques for employment, financial literacy, and social interaction.
• Comprehensive Knowledge: Service coordination and advocacy for youth navigating complex systems. Database management systems (Salesforce, DYCD Connect) for tracking client progress and program outcomes. Best practices in supporting young adults with employment, education, financial literacy, and overcoming systemic barriers.
• Skills: Relationship and Partnership Building, Service Coordination, Time Management, Communication, Collaboration/Teamwork, Writing Proficiency, Project Management

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• You may be required to lift up to 25 lbs or less.
• Standing for extended periods while facilitating workshops and events
• Environment: The role involves working in an office setting, at program sites, and occasionally in the community. Work may be conducted both in-person and virtually.
• Emotional Demands: The position involves working with participants experiencing personal, social, or economic challenges. The Participant Support Specialist must be prepared to handle emotionally charged situations and support individuals facing mental health concerns, trauma, and systemic barriers.
• Stress Factors: This role requires managing multiple partnerships, meeting deadlines, and adapting to evolving participant needs, which may contribute to periods of high stress.
• Mental Health Awareness: The organization encourages maintaining mental well-being and offers resources or support programs for staff mental health, including supervision, counseling resources, or wellness initiatives.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.