Posted July 28, 2026
Workforce Development Program Director
Kaleidascope Inc
Erie, PA, US
Full Time
Job Description
Job Description
Salary: TBD
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, psychology, education, rehabilitation, criminal justice, workforce development, or a related field preferred.
- Experience working with individuals with ID/DD/ASD preferred.
- Experience working with justice-involved individuals, reentry services, correctional systems, probation/parole, or related populations preferred.
- Experience facilitating groups, educational programming, employment readiness programming, or life skills training.
- Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from multiple systems and professional backgrounds.
- Ability to adapt curriculum and communication strategies to meet individual needs.
- Commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based practices.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation may be required.
- Successful completion of required background checks and clearances.
Workforce Program Development
- Develop, implement, and continually evaluate workforce development programming for individuals with ID/DD/ASD.
- Familiar with structured curriculum and activities addressing employment readiness, workplace expectations, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, self-advocacy, and independent living.
- Familiar with programming that is accessible, trauma-informed, person-centered, and responsive to the needs of justice-involved individuals.
- Establish partnerships with employers and community organizations to identify employment, volunteer, internship, and career exploration opportunities.
- Assist in identifying barriers to employment and developing individualized strategies to address those barriers.
- Support the development of a sustainable workforce development model that can be replicated and expanded.
12-Week Group Facilitation
- Plan and facilitate a structured 12-week group for individuals with ID/DD/ASD, including justice-involved participants.
- Provide consistent, engaging, and accessible group instruction using visual supports, hands-on activities, discussion, role-play, and real-world examples.
- Adapt group materials and instructional strategies to meet the varied cognitive, communication, sensory, behavioral, and learning needs of participants.
- Maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive group environment.
- Track participant attendance, engagement, progress, and identified needs.
Collaboration with Justice-Involved Individuals and Partners
- Collaborate with correctional facilities, probation and parole personnel, reentry programs, courts, behavioral health providers, case managers, and community organizations when appropriate.
- Develop relationships with professionals supporting justice-involved individuals with ID/DD/ASD.
- Participate in transition and reentry planning when appropriate and authorized.
- Assist in identifying supports necessary for successful community reintegration.
- Coordinate with participants' existing support teams to promote consistency and continuity of services.
- Help bridge communication between the participant, justice-system partners, service providers, employers, and family or natural supports, when appropriate and authorized.
Employment and Community Partnerships
- Build and maintain relationships with local employers and community partners.
- Educate employers and community partners regarding the strengths, abilities, and support needs of individuals with ID/DD/ASD.
- Identify opportunities for job shadowing, volunteer experiences, internships, work-based learning, and competitive integrated employment.
- Support participants in developing workplace confidence and appropriate professional behaviors.
- Assist with connecting participants to employment resources and community supports.
Documentation and Compliance
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with organizational, contractual, grant, and regulatory requirements.
- Complete progress notes, attendance records, program evaluations, and other required documentation.
- Monitor program outcomes and collect data related to participant progress and employment readiness.
- Participate in meetings, training, supervision, and quality improvement activities with the Director/Asst. Dir of Waiver Services.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with all applicable policies and regulations
Core Competencies
- Relationship Building: Establishes respectful and productive relationships with participants, families, employers, and community partners.
- Facilitation: Creates an engaging, structured, and supportive learning environment.
- Adaptability: Adjusts teaching and communication strategies to meet individual needs.
- Collaboration: Works effectively across disability, justice, workforce, behavioral health, and community systems.
- Advocacy: Promotes dignity, opportunity, inclusion, and self-determination.
- Accountability: Maintains accurate documentation and follows organizational and regulatory requirements.
- Professionalism: Demonstrates sound judgment, reliability, patience, and ethical conduct.
