Workforce Training Specialist

Project Renewal is a leading non-profit organization with the mission of building supportive communities where people achieve dignity and independence, renewing their lives with health, homes, and jobs. Our comprehensive and integrated 24/7 programs are designed to offer the holistic care our clients need. With a staff of 950+ and an annual budget of $140 million, Project Renewal is one of the larger social service nonprofits in New York City.

Title: Workforce Training Specialist

Program: Workforce Development

Schedule: Hybrid Schedule (post 90-days of employment)

Salary Range: $50,000 to $55,000 per year

Program Description:

Project Renewal’s award-winning workforce development job placement training programs enrolls over 450 adults each year who have significant barriers to employment including those with histories of homelessness, substance use, underemployment, mental health diagnoses and criminal justice involvement. Our comprehensive approach allows us to work individually with each client to minimize barriers to employment and prepare them for the world of work.  Since 2000, Project Renewal has helped nearly 5,000 New Yorkers find and retain employment, achieve economic security, lead more fulfilling lives, and positively contribute to their communities.

Overall Responsibilities:

The Workforce Training Specialist will be responsible for facilitating workshops across our pre-employment and sector-based training programs. This role is responsible for delivering curriculum, fostering participant engagement, monitoring participant progress, and collaborating with program staff to support successful training completion and program performance outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director of Workforce Development, duties include, but are not limited to:

• Training:
  • Facilitate job readiness, workforce skills, and professional development workshops to prepare participants for internships, employment, and career advancement opportunities across various sectors, including social services, culinary, behavioral health, and human services.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional staff, including Senior Trainers, Occupational Therapists, and Program Directors, to support the implementation and delivery of workforce development workshops, training activities, participant support initiatives.
  • Deliver curriculum and adapt instructional approaches to accommodate diverse learning styles, abilities, and participant needs.
  • Utilize interactive training techniques, including case studies, role-playing exercises, simulations, and group discussions, to promote engagement, skill development, and knowledge retention.
  • Monitor participant progress and provide individualized coaching, feedback, and encouragement to support successful completion of training milestones.
  • Support recruitment activities, including information sessions, orientations, participant intakes, and other enrollment-related activities, as needed.
• Engagement
  • Conduct weekly check-ins with participants during skills training to support engagement, attendance, and successful completion of program milestones.
  • Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and encouragement to participants to strengthen workplace readiness skills and support achievement of career goals.
  • Travel to and support participants during trainings occurring at off-site locations, including internships, simulated work experiences, and other work-based learning opportunities.
  • Identify participant challenges that may impact training participation, classroom engagement, or internship success and collaborate with program leadership to implement appropriate support strategies.
• Administrative
  • Administer participant surveys, assessments, and program documentation required for internal reporting and funder compliance.
  • Accurately track participant attendance, training progress, and outcomes in Salesforce and other required reporting systems.
  • Maintain timely and accurate participant records, case notes, and program-related activities in Salesforce
  • Support internship and work-based learning activities through participant tracking, documentation, scheduling, and coordination with program staff.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned by program leadership

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience facilitating workshops, delivering training, or supporting adult learners, preferably within workforce development, education, human services, or related fields.
• Strong group facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse learners and manage classroom dynamics.
• Proven ability to proactively engage participants and maintain strong relationships throughout program participation, including during periods of low motivation or barriers to participation
• Experience supporting participant retention, attendance, and successful completion of program goals in a performance-driven environment.
• Experience working with individuals facing barriers to employment, including histories of homelessness, substance use, mental health challenges, justice system involvement, or long-term unemployment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, virtual learning platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams), and data management systems such as Salesforce.
• Highly organized, dependable, and adaptable to the needs of a fast-paced program environment.

Project Renewal is an equal opportunity employer.  Its long-standing policy has been to embrace the equality of opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, gender (see separately issued Gender Discrimination policy for more detail), physical or mental disability, age (18 and over), military status, arrest record, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, unemployment status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.