WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

ABOUT DC CENTRAL KITCHEN:

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK), an equal opportunity employer, is a nationally acclaimed nonprofit that develops innovative social ventures aimed at breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty. Our mission is to use food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds and build communities. For twenty-eight years, we have prepared at-risk adults with histories of incarceration, addiction, homelessness, trauma, and chronic unemployment for meaningful careers in the food service industry. We in turn hire many of our graduates to support our social venture portfolio, which includes preparing 12,000 meals for our community each day, catering corporate events, and delivering fresh produce and healthy snacks to corner stores in areas of Washington DC without grocery stores. Our commitment to making the most of our human capital starts with an intensely value-driven work environment that is purposefully diverse, proudly unconventional, and dedicated to relentless, incremental improvements.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

The Workforce Development department at DC Central Kitchen includes the Culinary Job Training program (CJT), which is a 14-week culinary arts program with an integrated curriculum that covers all facets of work in a professional kitchen. The program includes “hands-on” training taught by Culinary Arts Instructors. Our Mission is to offer training as a constructive solution to the problems of unemployment in our community. We use food as a tool to build community partnerships that support people who are making the transition to self-sufficiency. As healthy, affordable, and sustainable food is central to our mission, we expose our students to healthy cooking techniques and provide nutritional education, through the program.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Workforce Development Specialist (Recruitment and Student Success) is responsible for coordinating recruitment and intake efforts for the Workforce Development Department and supporting students from initial interest through orientation, program participation, and graduation. This role promotes student engagement, retention, and successful program completion by identifying individual needs, connecting students with resources, addressing barriers to participation, and coordinating support throughout their program experience.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Recruitment Coordination:

• Liaise and partner with local organizations, agencies, and institutions for the purpose of recruiting students into the program and promoting enhanced communication between CJT and the community.
• Lead CJT expansion through cultivating new relationships and partnerships.
• Travel for site visits to agencies, shelters, and other organizations; meet with interested parties, present the program, and develop relationships for moving the process forward.
• Report activities, milestones, statistics, and strategic accomplishments as required.
• Use networking and outreach skills to recruit, solicit, procure, and acquire industry professionals for special projects, activities, events, ongoing training, and endeavors.
• Conduct outreach and build relationships with industry professionals and community partners to identify opportunities for student recruitment, career exposure, professional development, training, and employment.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant community resources and external support services to help connect students with appropriate referral partners when additional assistance is needed.

Student Intake and Success:

• Facilitate student onboarding and orientation by reviewing enrollment documents, verifying required records, and assisting students with completing program applications and necessary paperwork.
• Provide program-related guidance and support while maintaining clear boundaries between workforce development services and external social service needs.
• Conduct regular student check-ins to monitor engagement, attendance, participation, and overall progress throughout the program.
• Identify barriers that may affect a student's participation or successful completion of the program and connect students with appropriate external resources, community partners, and support services when additional assistance is needed. This role is responsible for making appropriate referrals, not providing direct social services, case management, or crisis intervention.
• Maintain accurate and timely student records, including attendance, progress updates, documented program-related concerns, referrals, and other relevant information.
• Communicate student progress, emerging concerns, and potential barriers to the appropriate supervisor through regular updates, meetings, and evaluations.
• Support students in preparing for successful program completion by reviewing their progress toward program requirements, identifying outstanding program-related needs, and connecting them with appropriate community resources and external support when necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality of information at all times.

Program Support:

• Recommend improvements to departmental processes and program services and implement approved changes to strengthen efficiency and student support.
• Prepare, organize, update, and maintain accurate and confidential student records and program documentation, including grades, attendance, training activities, and student support interactions.
• Use Microsoft Office applications, shared drives, student information systems, and other organizational technology to manage information, communicate effectively, and support program operations.
• Use building access systems, scheduling platforms, conference room technology, and related equipment to support daily program activities.
• Coordinate communications with community and employer partners regarding recruitment and program activities and share relevant information with the CJT team.
• Use research, program data, and student feedback to identify opportunities to improve recruitment, engagement, retention, and program completion.
• Assist with planning and coordinating new student orientation to ensure students understand program expectations, available resources, and how to access support.
• Participate in relevant conferences, seminars, and professional development opportunities, and apply learning to strengthen workforce development practices and student services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledgeable of efficient and effective workforce development or nonprofit program management methods and processes
• Bachelors’ degree in a relevant field and at least 2 – 4 years of experience in case management, recruiting, market research, and/or sales, job development, or a related field OR equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Experience engaging, supporting, and enhancing the lives of returning citizens, individuals in recovery, those impacted by homelessness, and people who are or have been unemployed or underemployed
• Demonstrated cultural competence and a commitment to the mission and values of DC Central Kitchen
• Keeps the organization and department goals in mind while focusing on specific issues
• Defines and tracks own activity within a project and milestones to manage the delivery of individual work.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport, work effectively with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, and interface with all levels of an organization
• Communicates in a timely manner with others upon the discovery of potential problems or change.
• Consistently fosters collaboration and respect among team members
• Provides courteous, timely and professional service even in difficult situations.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with internal and external partners
• Gathers data to support recommendations and seeks approval before taking action to minimize potential risk
• Ability to work independently and hold oneself accountable for performance
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office Applications, various data management software systems and social media communication techniques for the purpose of documenting and reporting services delivered to CJT candidate, students, and alumni
• High level of integrity, trustworthiness, work transparency, and open communication
• Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information and maintain accurate records
• Pre-employment background check and drug test are required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be capable of independent local travel
• Must be able to attend occasional night and weekend events
• May occasionally move Audio/Visual and other office equipment or lightweight items weighing up to 20 pounds for various meeting and event needs; Some functions of this position may require moderate physical activity, including transporting, positioning, installing, or removing office equipment items, such as printers, computers, phones, etc.
• Will occasionally move about inside the office and commercial kitchen space to access supplies, materials, file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; constantly positions self to access and maintain computer equipment; and must be able to remain in a stationery position for at least 50% of the time.
• Must be able to work in an environment where exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, fumes, dirt, smoke, loud noise, and a variety of odors is common.
• This job description is subject to change at any time.

BENEFITS:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical, dependent care, and parking)
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, and personal leave)
• 11 Company Paid Holidays
• Bonding Leave for new parents
• Commuter Benefits plan
• Matching 401(k) program
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Reimbursement program

NOTE:

This document is an outline of the primary tasks assigned and may be changed at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing. All team members are expected to assist DC Central Kitchen in achieving its goals even if such tasks are beyond the scope of this outline. The job description does not constitute an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

DC Central Kitchen is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and a Strengths-based organization.