Workforce Development - Rapid Response Program Manager

Would you like to be part of a team that seeks to catalyze system change ensuring equity and increased prosperity for all?

Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County is searching for a Rapid Response Program Manager to contribute to the mission by coordinating the Seattle-King County Rapid Response (RR) program.

OBJECTIVE___________________________________________________________________________

The Rapid Response Program Manager coordinates the Seattle-King County Rapid Response (RR) program, providing proactive and responsive services to businesses and workers impacted by layoffs or workforce reductions. This role manages both strategic oversight and operational execution of RR services, ensuring compliance, timely communication, and strategic integration with the broader public workforce system.

Grounded in expanding access and reducing barriers, this role works with a diverse network of public and private partners to deliver responsive workforce services and promote reemployment, workforce transition, and layoff aversion strategies. This role also supports other priorities of the industry strategies team, including helping connect dislocated workers to high-quality jobs, advancing sector partnerships, and ensuring job quality and fair and effective service delivery across the workforce system.

BACKGROUND______________________________________________________________________

The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) aspires to lead transformative change that will evolve our region’s workforce development efforts into an innovative industry, community, and outcome-driven system that expands access and improves outcomes for workers and businesses across the region. As a nonprofit, grant-making organization, the WDC collaborates with a diverse set of partners to elevate job quality, economic growth, and prosperity for adults and youth throughout the Seattle-King County region.

The WDC serves as the Local Workforce Development Board, designated by the City of Seattle Mayor and King County Executive, to set policy and administer federal workforce development funds under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). In 2018, the WDC Board of Directors and its stakeholders set a new direction for the organization to:

• Advocate for system change of industry practices and to address barriers to equity.
• Broker a shared regional approach of strategies that are responsive to both community and industry needs.
• Access and amplify resources by braiding funding sources.
• Incubate and innovate strategies that improve access, job quality, and workforce outcomes, particularly for underserved populations
• Analyze and use data to measure impact/drive system change.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES___________________________________________________

• Program Leadership & Coordination: Serve as the “Rapid Response Lead” for King County, coordinating with partners including ESD, WorkSource Seattle-King County, Community/Technical Colleges, Washington Healthplan Finder, and the Washington State Labor Council.
• Business Outreach: Perform proactive outreach to businesses upon receiving WARN Act notices or learning of closures/layoffs via media, social media, or referrals within required timeframes.
• Accessible and Inclusive Service Delivery: Create and oversee virtual, in-person, and hybrid RR presentations; ensure a public service platform that reaches all employers and workers according to ADA / Section 188 nondiscrimination requirements, and accessible to all workers and employers
• Communication and Public Speaking: Deliver RR presentations, providing information and access to unemployment compensation benefits and programs, comprehensive one-stop delivery system services, and employment and training activities. Represent the WDC at community and stakeholder meetings as needed (such as with the Community and Technical Colleges).
• Data Management and Analysis: Record RR-related service touchpoints and industry trends; manage the database for job seeker data and conduct quarterly surveys to measure reemployment outcomes. Work with other staff at WDC to analyze and communicate data related to WARNs and RR.
• Strategic Engagement & Partnerships: Support the Dislocated Worker (DW) WSSKC Referral Program and coordinate with partners like the Washington State Labor Council and Community Based Organizations for translation and customized services. Work with WDC staff and other community or business partners (ie chambers, industry associations) to improve connections between businesses and dislocated workers and advance sector partnerships and expand access to workforce opportunities across industries and communities.
• Reporting and Compliance: Ensure compliance with federal and state guidance while improving ongoing Rapid Response service delivery (ie, outreach methods, reporting, cross-system coordination, etc). Compile reports on Rapid Response as needed, sharing data with the WDC’s board, government, economic, and chamber partners to drive system change.
• Manage Layoff Aversion: Work with other WDC staff to manage the WDC’s incumbent worker training program, supporting employers in upskilling their job seekers and complying with all necessary requirements. Identify and support at-risk employers through early intervention strategies designed to prevent or minimize layoffs, including coordination of SharedWork and partnership with economic development entities.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS__________________________________________ ______________________

PROJECT MANAGEMENT & DATA COLLECTION

• Proven effectiveness in leading high-profile projects in partnership with diverse stakeholders. Experience managing Rapid Response programs is highly preferred.
• Experience managing programs or projects with complex compliance requirements, such as incumbent worker training.
• Ability to maintain sound judgment in fast-paced or high-stress situations.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data and trends related to Rapid Response presentations, labor market indicators, and WARN trends.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Monday.com (or another CRM), and Constant Contact.

WORKFORCE SYSTEM INTEGRATION & COORDINATION

• Working knowledge of the public workforce system, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Washington State WARN Act requirements, and related worker protection programs (Unemployment Insurance (UI), Trade Adjustment Assistance, SharedWork).
• Experience coordinating cross-system referral pathways to ensure seamless connection from Rapid Response to training, supportive services, reemployment opportunities, and appropriate workforce partners. 
• Experience working in the Seattle-King County workforce system and familiarity with the partners engaged in Seattle-King County Rapid Response is highly desirable.

STRATEGIC ENGAGMENT

• Demonstrated ability to engage multiple stakeholders (ESD, colleges, labor, community-based organizations, etc) around shared interests.
• Experience interfacing and building relationships with job seekers, businesses, and community partners.
• Ability to take initiative, navigate ambiguity, think strategically, and solve problems.
• Skilled at facilitating and convening groups of diverse stakeholders and driving groups towards action (ie making decisions, determining next steps, moving a project forward).

COMMUNICATION

• Exceptional presentation and verbal communication skills for public Rapid Response presentations. Experience public speaking in virtual and in-person settings.
• Strong writing skills and the ability to communicate complicated systems in an easy-to-understand way.
• Skilled at tailoring messages to an audience (including the ability to demonstrate empathy when working with people in a vulnerable situation, like after being laid off).

COMMITMENT TO ACCESS AND BARRIER REDUCTION: An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural barriers and their impact on workforce development systems and outcomes. Awareness of disparities in workforce outcomes and the ability to respond with data-informed, inclusive strategies. Commitment to learning from, identifying and developing new strategies, partnerships, and approaches to addressing barriers to access and opportunity, using data and community engagement to inform strategies that improve outcomes. Ability to develop partnerships and approaches that expand access to workforce services and support effective service delivery with diverse communities.

Education or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (at least 3–5 years) experience in workforce development, public or business administration, policy, economics or other field related to this work.

Reports to:

Director of Industry Strategies

WORKING CONDITIONS____________________________________________________________

This position is a mostly remote work arrangement, with occasional onsite work located in and around our Seattle office. Some travel is required to attend meetings/events/conferences locally, statewide, and nationally. Regular workday and work week are established with some planned early morning or evening hours, and overnight/out of area travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS_________________________________________________________

Employee is expected to make decisions, read, write, speak publicly, and interpret information and data. May be seated for periods of time, and occasionally may have to lift a boxes or other materials that weigh less than 20 lbs.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination_________________________________________

The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. WDC is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

To apply, please email your résumé and letter of interest referencing “Rapid Response Program Manager” in the subject line to hr@seakingwdc.org. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until the position is filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Seattle, WA 98104

Salary : $95,000 - $115,000