Workforce Development Coordinator

SUMMARY

The Workforce Development Coordinator serves as a student-centered leader responsible for advancing workforce development initiatives that connect students to meaningful career pathways and support tribal and regional economic growth. This position focuses on building strong relationships with students, community partners, employers, and educational systems to expand access to career and technical opportunities.  

The Coordinator leads the development, coordination, and evaluation of workforce programs, supports student success through career readiness initiatives, and ensures alignment with community workforce needs. This position will also support institutional readiness for emerging federal financial aid programs, including Workforce Pell, by helping to ensure short-term programs meet eligibility, credentialing, and outcomes accountability requirement. This role may also oversee grant-funded initiatives that enhance student access, training opportunities, and employment outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required in workforce development, business, education, public administration, or a related field; master’s degree preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in workforce development, career and technical education (CTE), student services, community engagement, or a related field.
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships with employers, industry leaders, tribal organizations, educational institutions, and community agencies.
• Strong understanding of career pathways, labor market trends, and strategies that support student transition from education to employment.
• Experience working with diverse student populations, including supporting non-traditional, first-generation, and tribal students.
• Experience with program coordination, project management, or grant-funded initiatives, including tracking outcomes and reporting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage students, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and implement recruitment, outreach, and marketing strategies to increase program awareness and participation.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and utilize data to inform decision-making and program improvement.
• Familiarity with higher education systems, student support services, and workforce training programs preferred.
• Commitment to supporting the mission of Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College and integrating Anishinaabe values, culture, and community priorities into programming.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn and utilize institutional systems such as student information systems and learning platforms.
• Possesses minimum standards of character.
  • Must not have been found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to any 
    felonies offense or two or more misdemeanor offenses involving (under federal, state, or tribal law; violations from other states will be interpreted according to the Michigan Penal Code):
  • Crimes of violence
  • Molestation
  • Contact with or prostitution.
  • Offenses committed against children.
  • Sexual Assault
  • Exploitation
  • Crimes against persons
  • Child abuse or neglect

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

• Oversee and coordinate Workforce Development initiatives, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, Early Middle College (EMC), and industry-recognized certificate programs, with a focus on student access, completion, and employment outcomes.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local businesses, tribal enterprises, industry leaders, and community organizations to create work-based learning opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and employment pipelines, and relevant agencies to support program eligibility determinations under federal and state financial aid programs.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for students interested in workforce pathways by providing guidance on career options, program enrollment, credential opportunities, and connections to employment.
• Coordinate and support college-career readiness programming, including workshops, career exploration events, employer engagement activities, and community outreach initiatives.
• Collaborate with school districts, counselors, Intermediate School District (ISD) partners, tribal and state agencies, and workforce organizations while serving as a primary point of contact to strengthen CTE and EMC pathways, support program alignment, and ensure students have clear, accessible routes from education to employment.
• Coordinate and assist with campus tours, college visits, and outreach experiences to increase awareness of workforce programs and career training opportunities at KBOCC.
• Track, manage, and report student participation, program outcomes, and workforce data to support institutional effectiveness, grant requirements, and continuous improvement.
• Lead outreach and recruitment efforts for workforce programs, including the development of marketing materials, community presentations, and engagement strategies targeting students and families.
• Manage partnerships through formal agreements (MOUs/MOAs) and support the development and facilitation of advisory boards to ensure programs remain aligned with workforce and community needs.
• Support grant development and implementation efforts focused on workforce development, student support services, and career training opportunities.
• Ensure programs reflect and integrate Anishinaabe values, culture, and community priorities in ways that support holistic student success and community well-being.
• Ensure workforce certificates and short-term credentials are designed to be stackable and portable, with clear articulation pathways to additional credentials, in compliance with state and federal program eligibility standards.
• Coordinate supervision of student interns, trainees, or program participants as appropriate, ensuring meaningful learning and work experiences.
• Manage departmental planning, program evaluation, and continuous improvement processes related to workforce development initiatives.
• Maintain current knowledge of workforce trends, labor market needs, and career readiness strategies to continuously enhance programming and student outcomes.
• Utilize institutional systems (e.g., MS Office, Canvas, data tracking tools) to support program coordination, communication, and reporting.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTS

Employment is contingent upon the satisfactory result of a Security Background Check, pre-employment drug testing and pre-employment physical.

INDIAN PREFERENCE

Preference is given to qualified individuals of American Indian descent.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

Preference is given to qualified veterans (need DD214).

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Submit an official KBOCC application and all documentation required on the cover page of job description to:

KBOCC Human Resource Office  
770 N. Main St, L’Anse, MI 49946  
Phone: 906-524-8402

OR

Email: hr@kbocc.edu with all documentation

Official KBOCC application available on our website:  
http://www.kbocc.edu/employment/

This position announcement summary is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks which will be required of this position and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of the position will be. It is not intended to limit or modify the right of the supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of this position, nor to exclude other similar duties not mentioned. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level difficulty.