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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.

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