Senior Student Services Specialist

Position Senior Workforce Pathways Specialist Location Boston, MA Job Id 150 # of Openings 1 Organization Overview Commonwealth Corporation is a quasi‑public workforce development agency that strengthens the skills of Massachusetts youth and adults by investing in innovative partnerships with industry, education, and workforce organizations. Their main objectives include: • Building regional industry partnerships to train youth and the unemployed for in‑demand jobs, boosting their job opportunities. • Improving workforce skills to meet employer requirements, leading to more competitive businesses, job growth, and better wages. • Engaging youth in pathways for post‑secondary education and future careers. Program Overview The Skill Up: Career, Technical and Workforce Training, and Employment Services Initiative (Skill Up) is a program developed by the Department of Youth Services (DYS) and managed by Commonwealth Corporation to deliver high‑quality career development, technical training and workforce programming and services that are aligned with local labor market needs within or across the five DYS geographic regions in Massachusetts. The initiative aims to reduce recidivism for DYS youth through the provision of high‑quality services leading to employment with benefits at family‑sustaining wages. Additionally, the initiative seeks to reduce employment barriers and provide career, technical and workforce training that improves opportunities and reduces access and engagement barriers for youth as they transition back to the community from their residential treatment programs. A key component of this effort is the ability to increase career, technical and workforce training and employment opportunities for DYS youth. Position Overview The Workforce Pathways Specialist team connects DYS youth to meaningful career, vocational, training, and employment opportunities, meeting youth where they are at and including everything from early job exploration to apprenticeships and credential‑bearing programs. These roles integrate employer engagement, subsidized employment coordination, and development of awareness of training providers and other opportunities statewide. The Specialists collaborate closely with DYS Central Office Leadership, DYS Regional & field staff, Career Navigators, Single Service Providers, training providers, MassHire partners, and employers to support youth in building skills, earning credentials, and accessing sustainable career pathways. Reports to: Director of Skill Up Initiative Department: Skill Up Classification: Full‑Time, Exempt Work hours: 40 hours per week – Hybrid Starting Salary: $70,000 – $75,000 (Employer contributes 13.2% of gross salary to a 401(a)-employee retirement plan. Vested 100% on day 1 of hire) Responsibilities Job Opportunity Research & Communication: research and distribute regional Hot Jobs postings and employment opportunities sourced from online job boards such as JobQuest and Indeed. Connect with MassHire offices statewide and use job blast distribution lists to share opportunities with DYS teams. Create and maintain job boards and flyers for training and employment opportunities across district offices on a rotating basis. Build and expand networks of employers and training providers aligned with labor market demand and youth career interests. Collaborate with MassHire programs, DTA, CommCorp’s CTI team, and other partners to connect youth to training and upskilling opportunities. Support the growth, development & maintenance of subsidized employment sites statewide. Compile lists of existing industry‑recognized certifications and credential‑bearing training programs, and develop and implement a communication strategy to support DYS staff and youth in understanding application requirements and pathways. Coordinate with Career Navigators and DYS staff to identify youth interested in vocational/technical training and bridge them to relevant programs. Develop relationships with pre‑apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs and prerequisites/requirements to share information with youth. Support connections to programs that offer job shadowing, industry tours, internships, and hands‑on career exposure, especially in trade and technical fields. Advise youth and staff on opportunities based on skill requirements, and advancement potential. Avail for consults with team and DYS leadership; support Youth Voice initiatives as needed. Engage with youth directly & team to assist in application and enrollment process with MassHire trainings, CTI programs, and other partner‑supported opportunities. Provide warm hand‑off, introductions and problem solving (where applicable). Facilitate in‑person workshops for youth and staff as requested. Attend regional meetings, emerging adult convenings, and other statewide meetings as requested; take and share notes from meetings and support follow‑up actions. Document all work with youth in JJEMS case notes; document all work with employers and training providers; enter all data into shared Excel tracker for DYS dashboards; support and gain understanding of single service provider trackers. Coordinate and work directly with Regional CVES staff, DYS in‑house youth payroll, including onboarding packet submission, timesheet collection, database updates, and paycard troubleshooting. Develop and implement communication plans to senior program managers of Career Navigation and Career Navigators of youth enrolled on in‑house payroll opportunities. Serve as statewide liaison to the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) to ensure timely and accurate submissions; maintain inventory of all in‑house youth employment opportunities, including identified transferable skills. Support Workforce Pathways team with organizing items on SharePoint for team purposes; coordinate and lead group work on best practices and team documents/strategies; convene Workforce Pathways team for monthly meetings and share out to Director. Coordinate and share out quarterly regional summary to DYS field on Workforce Pathways team work. Collaborate with senior program managers of Career Navigation and workforce specialists to develop a quarterly tracker to capture variety of youth activities (e.g., youth voice, subsidized employment, in‑house payroll, etc.). Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies Experience working with workforce, vocational, or apprenticeship systems. Knowledge of labor market information analysis. Experience working with system‑involved youth. Familiarity with state workforce development programs. Background in youth development, coaching, or case management. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Sound judgment and problem‑solving ability. Ability to work independently and collaboratively. Cultural competence and ability to work effectively with diverse populations. Minimum Qualifications Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Ability to travel statewide with 24 hours notice. Ability to complete mandatory 2.5‑week basic training in person in Grafton, MA. Strong communication and relationship‑building skills with youth and partners. Knowledge of workforce development, training systems, and/or youth services. Program and project management experience, particularly in the area of youth development and supplemental education or workforce development programming. Ability to effectively manage multiple project activities, structure, and plan own work. Benefits Excellent benefits package, including medical insurance, HRA (Health Reimbursement Account) (Employer pays first 75% of participant deductible expenses), dental insurance (80% employer / 20% employee), vision, 13 paid holidays, 3 weeks accrued paid vacation per year, generous paid sick time, paid time off, short‑term, long‑term and AD&D insurance, life insurance up to $250,000, pre‑tax parking and commuter benefits (debit card), and health flexible spending account (debit card). Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). EEOC Statement Equal Employment Opportunity: Commonwealth Corporation is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Research suggests that qualified women and Black & Indigenous POC may self‑select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive at CommCorp to apply for this role. Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging As a leader in workforce development, CommCorp is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). We strive to center DEIB in every facet of our work. This commitment requires us to identify and dismantle historical and existing barriers within systems, policies, and practices to create long‑term economic opportunities and access for all. Background Check The successful candidate is required to complete CORI background checks. #J-18808-Ljbffr