EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Mayor

Exempt | Location: Civic Center

Annual Salary

$133,000.00 - $189,000.00

contact information

Mayor's HR Team
213-978-0600
Mayor.Jobs@lacity.org

job description

The Office of Economic Opportunity seeks to empower, impact, and expand the socioeconomic capacity of individuals, families, and communities in the City of Los Angeles to achieve stability and prosperity through effective social support, including innovative strategies, employment services, education supports, strategic partnerships, and community based initiatives.

SUMMARY:

The City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Board (WDB) ensures effective oversight of the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act program, acting as a catalyst to integrate various workforce initiatives seamlessly. Additionally, the WDB provides essential community leadership on workforce issues, driving collaboration and innovation to address local employment needs and enhance the region's overall economic health. The Workforce Development Board is composed of 39 volunteers and includes representatives from education, labor, state and local governments, private businesses, and employers. In partnership with the Mayor and City Council, the WDB provides vision, policy, strategy, coordination, direction, and oversight for the City’s workforce development activities.

The Executive Director's efforts support the overarching goal of establishing a thriving community through effective workforce development.

The activities of the Executive Director aim to ensure that the region served by the WDB flourishes with a well-trained and developed workforce inclusive of all residents by providing oversight, guidance, and technical expertise on the policies, procedures, and day-to-day organizational function of the Workforce Development Board. This role is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service, including to local businesses and residents seeking to acquire appropriate workplace skills.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting directly to the Deputy Mayor of Economic Opportunity, the Executive Director, in collaboration with the Board Chair, sets the strategic direction of the Workforce Development Board. The Executive Director oversees stakeholder involvement at various government levels, handles complex policy negotiations, ensures compliance with relevant legislation and regulations, particularly the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA); and assists in the development of employment training programs.

Job duties include:

Serve as chief of staff to the Workforce Development Board Chair; facilitate the Board’s vision, leadership, and industry expertise to drive innovative workforce initiatives; develop, maintain, and support a robust Executive Committee; and seek out and develop board involvement with strategic direction for ongoing and new initiatives. Provide direction and support for the Board, its four standing committees, and additional ad-hoc committees.
Monitor federal and state legislation/regulations/policies affecting WIOA and workforce development. Creates policies, procedures, and systems to ensure compliance with WIOA and other relevant regulations, and enhance the workforce development system. Adhere to all Board policies, regulations, and Standard Operating Procedures as they pertain to WIOA. Partner with the Legislative Affairs team to influence workforce policy.

Aid the Board in establishing the strategic direction of the Economic and Workforce Development Department’s implementation and monitoring of workforce programs and contracts. Coordinate with American Job Centers and/or outside government agencies; develop and modify Board policies and standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and changes. Ensure established goals for WIOA and state-funded youth, adult, and dislocated worker programs are realized.

In collaboration with the Board Chair, build relationships with key stakeholders and act as a convener to bring together business, labor, education, and economic development entities. Address the workforce development needs of business and industry within the local area to support their stability and growth.
Serve as a liaison in representing and advancing the Board’s leadership in workforce development throughout the Los Angeles region. Broker relationships between various organizations and entities to implement innovative and effective initiatives.

Enhance regional capacity to meet workforce demands through technical assistance and sharing best practices by engaging staff representatives from local workforce development boards in the Los Angeles region, the California Workforce Development Board, and workforce associations.
Oversee workforce research activities to keep the Board current on emerging labor and industry trends, best practices, and case studies. Utilize data-driven insights to inform strategy and program recommendations.
Manage the WDB's budget and resources efficiently. Seek and develop grant funding applications to enhance the activities of the workforce system.
Supervise staff that support the Board, its committees, and assist in maintaining 501(c)(3) status.

Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants should be existing city employees, at the level of a Mayoral Aide VII, Senior Management Analyst II or equivalent classification, who meet the minimum qualifications of this job bulletin
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Human Services, or a related field. An advanced degree is desired.
Experience: Five years of management experience in workforce development, economic development, public administration, human resources, or a related field, including working with high-level executives, board members, and external partners.
Skills:

Knowledge of workforce development policies and practices.
Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans.
Strong leadership and organizational skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to build and sustain partnerships across various sectors.
Skilled in facilitating large meetings and providing strategic vision.

Preferred Attributes:

Demonstrated ability to introduce and manage innovative programs and solutions.
Experience in advocating for workforce development issues at various government levels.
Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workforce and the broader community.
Administrative: Excellent analytical skills, experience in report writing, and effective public speaking.

How to apply

Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Mayor.Jobs@lacity.org with “Executive Director, Workforce Development Board” in the subject line no later than December 13, 2024.

Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and suitable candidates may be contacted and hired before the application deadline. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly.

This is an exempt, at-will position. The individual appointed to this position will not accrue any civil service tenure, contractual employment rights, or due process rights. The incumbent may be removed, without any finding of cause, by the hiring authority. The City of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. Please call (213) 744-9300 if you need assistance.

exempt employment

If employment is said to be exempt, it is meant that the employment is exempted from the civil service provisions of the City Charter. In order to receive a regular civil service appointment, employees must have successfully participated in a civil service examination, received a high enough score on the examination to be placed on and receive an appointment from an eligible list, and they must serve a probationary period. Exempt employees do not compete in a civil service examination, they are not placed on an eligible list and receive an appointment from that list, nor do they serve a probationary period. As a result, exempt employees do not have what is referred to as a “property interest” in their job. Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority and can be terminated at any time without cause. Employees with a property interest in their job, i.e. civil service employees, cannot be deprived of their employment(discharged or suspended) without due process.

General Information About Exempt Employment

Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority, and as such, they may be discharged, suspended or otherwise disciplined without cause. Exempt employees have no property interest in their employment, and any procedural benefit or other prerogative extended to them by their appointing authority is not intended to create and does not create any such property interest. No officer or employee of the City may make to any other officer or employee any representation of a property interest in employment which does not correspond to Charter provisions unless the City Council, by ordinance, permits such representation. No unauthorized representation can serve as the basis of an employee's reliance on, or expectation of, a property interest.

Employees Seeking To Become Civil Service Employees

There is no protective leave for an exempt employee appointed to a civil service position. Upon receiving a civil service appointment and passing probation, the former exempt employee will be subject to the Civil Service provisions described in Article X of the City Charter. Upon appointment, the civil service employee will begin to accrue displacement and layoff seniority on the first day of his/her civil service appointment and may file for promotional examinations for which s/he qualifies. A full or half-time exempt employee appointed to a full or half-time civil service position continues to: contribute to the Retirement System; accrue vacation time; accrue sick time; receive anniversary date salary increases; and, receive health and dental benefits identical to those received in the civil service position.

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