This position is based out of the National Council of La Raza’s (NCLR) national office in Washington, DC and requires management support of the Workforce Development (WFD) component, as well as work implementing the key program, policy, and research functions of WFD and providing program support to NCLR’s Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI). The position will work with both the program and policy teams to develop and implement a set of priorities and undertake research and writing relevant to the strategic direction of NCLR’s WFD efforts. The Associate Director will report directly to the Senior Director of Workforce and Leadership Development, be regularly engaged with the Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation (ORAL), and consult with the Senior Legislative Director on all legislative activity.

BACKGROUND

NCLR—the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for the nation’s 47 million Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations, NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.

Salary: High 60s to low 70s

Location: Washington, DC

RESPONSIBILITIES

Candidates should have some level of management experience, as well as strong written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical skills, substantive knowledge of workforce development policies and/or programs, and a specific knowledge of state- and local-level public workforce systems. Candidates should possess a spirit of cooperation, a high level of motivation, and a strong desire to learn. Computer, telephone, and interpersonal skills are essential. The Associate Director will be involved in many or all of the following tasks:

Management Support

• Provide direct support to Senior Director in managing component reports, proposals, deliverables, and personnel
• Ensure communication across WFD programs and teams
• Provide support in formalizing and executing NCLR’s WFD technical assistance and capacity-building strategy
• Play a key role in strategic planning, particularly as it relates to alignment with the public workforce system
• Provide strategic support to WFD team members in implementing national initiatives

Policy and Advocacy

• Monitor the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and other related legislation to ensure that funds are being accessed by Latino communities
• Work collaboratively with select Affiliates and other strategic partners to craft and support WFD strategies that tie national workforce policies to state and/or local decision-making
• Participate and represent NCLR at advocacy coalition meetings and strategy discussions with congressional and departmental staff
• Support the organization and capacity-building of NCLR’s Affiliate community-based organizations (CBOs) to increase program effectiveness and improve their ability to advocate for issues important to the Latino community in alignment with NCLR priorities
• Ensure alignment between NCLR’s WFD program and policy work
• Ensure that WFD policy and advocacy issues align with the priorities of NCLR

Research/Evaluation

• Support production and dissemination of WFD publications, including policy and issue briefs, reports, articles, alerts, and white papers
• Organize and lead research related to effective WFD models and strategies

Affiliate Partnership Management

• With the WFD team, support the maintenance of an updated WFD Affiliate database
• Support the WFD and ORAL teams in identifying and collaborating with Affiliate advocacy partners
• Seek and support opportunities for Affiliate peer support training and exchanges
• Communicate and collaborate with Affiliate Member Services team and relevant staff in national and field offices

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A. or B.S. in public policy, public administration, sociology, or a related field; M.A. or advanced degree equivalent preferred
• Workforce development, job training, employment, or related program experience with CBOs
• Experience with state- and local-level public workforce systems, funding streams, processes, and partnerships
• Experience in conducting state policy analysis, program evaluation, and advocacy
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to synthesize information from different sources and present information in a variety of formats and for different audiences (e.g., research briefs, academic articles, congressional testimony, data fact sheets)
• Experience with or ability to work with and communicate across different work teams
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, attention to detail, and a quick learner
• Strong sense of self-motivation; ability to work with minimal supervision, meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and function effectively with multiple projects and short timelines
• Ability to represent NCLR and communicate effectively in various settings (internal and external meetings; with coalition partners, CBOs, legislative staff, media, foundations, private sector partners, and academics) on a broad range of worker issues (e.g., workforce development, employment, welfare reform, unemployment insurance, and access to jobs)
• Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and social justice issues affecting Latinos, low-income workers, persons of limited English proficiency, and immigrants
• Flexible with work schedule, working hours, and assignments, including ability to work evenings and weekends and travel, when necessary
• Preferably bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Proficiency in Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) communication software, and use of the Internet

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Email or fax cover letter, résumé, two references, and a writing sample to:

NCLR IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, marital status, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.