Overview
The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (“UMEZ”) is an independent not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to sustain the economic revitalization of all communities in Upper Manhattan through job creation, corporate alliances, strategic investments, and small business assistance. The communities we target for investment activity include Central, West and East Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood.
UMEZ is a recognized Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund, with approximately $90 million in assets. UMEZ is part of a national network of CDFI’s promoting economic growth by financing businesses, creating jobs, and rebuilding neighborhoods.
Job Title: Workforce Program Officer, Workforce Opportunity Investments
To support our mission, our workforce opportunity investments play a catalytic role in empowering the local workforce development system that supports the neighborhoods of Upper Manhattan. Working with community partners, training providers, business leaders, labor management and industry stakeholders, among others, we invest in effective and measurable workforce initiatives that are designed to promote economic mobility, access to in-demand skills building, quality jobs, and career opportunities for Upper Manhattan residents. Additionally, we design and invest in place-based talent-driven economic development initiatives that connect local residents to jobs generated through our portfolio of business investments and priorities of regional and community economic development.
Summary: The Program Officer will contribute to the design and implementation of inclusive and locally tailored place-based interventions under UMEZ’s workforce opportunity investment strategy that is focused on post-pandemic economic recovery. The Program Officer will assist with the management of a grant portfolio of workforce opportunity investments requiring grant management skills, monitoring, and evaluation. The incumbent will assist with the development and cultivation of workforce and industry partnerships to maximize the impact of UMEZ’s workforce investments.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Include the following; other duties may be assigned:
- Assist with the management of portfolio of workforce initiatives from initial inquiry to conclusion of the grant;
- Serve as liaison with grantees;
- Examine proposals to ensure they are in alignment with the UMEZ core funding objectives;
- Assist with research an actively search for prospective grantees and workforce initiatives;
- Perform labor market research and incorporate findings in workforce development strategic plans;
- Conduct due diligence review and assess prospective grantees’ capacity for and commitment to develop and implement sector employment programs;
- Prepare written assessments and financial presentations;
- Prepare investment memoranda and other grant-related documents;
- Develop and implement project plans, progress reports and impact measurement evaluation criteria;
- Develop grant scope, project milestones, performance measures, and KPI’s;
- Assist in developing reporting criteria, report templates, policies and protocols for grantees to ensure transparency in the achievement of workforce development goals;
- Assist in the development of recruitment and fulfillment strategies for UMEZ business clients/anchor projects that are responsive to employer needs;
- Assist with the coordination of recruitment events for UMEZ business clients/anchor projects by leveraging community resources;
- Plan and work cooperatively with partners engaged in workforce development;
Background & Experience:
- Undergraduate degree required
- Five years prior experience in workforce development, program management, economic/community development, grant making, or similar experience
- Strong data collection and analytical skills to improve practice and results to drive impact;
- Strong knowledge of labor market information and local workforce and economic development resources;
- Demonstrate experience designing, managing or implementing a workforce development initiative;
- Strong understanding of sectoral approaches;
- Demonstrated knowledge of policies governing workforce development and the local workforce development system;
- Significant experience working with industry and employers;
- Strong knowledge of workforce development trends and economic mobility strategies that impact underserved populations;
- Demonstrated program development and analytical skills;
- Strong financial analytical skills;
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written);
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and database management;
- Community residence and/or familiarity with Upper Manhattan community desired
Personal Characteristics:
- An energetic, innovative and resourceful person with a strong interest in social and economic issues impacting communities;
- A self-starter; a team player; a strategic thinker; a creative problem solver.