Deputy Director, Jobs and Transitions
Best Buddies International

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.

Job Title: Deputy Director, Jobs and Transitions

Department: State Programs and Operations

Reports to: Director, Operations and Programs or Director, Jobs & Transitions

Location: varies

# of direct reports: varies

Salary Range: 50,000-65,000

Employment is contingent upon state accreditation and the ability to obtain federal suitability clearance for the Ticket to Work Program

Position Overview: The deputy director, jobs and transitions is responsible for overseeing the jobs and transitions programs. They work with state leadership team to hire and manage the jobs staff and are responsible for oversight of the contractual agreements for the jobs and transitions programs. They serve as the point of contact for all contractors, manage all timelines for reporting to contractors, and support the programs staff as required. The deputy director is responsible for creating awareness of the jobs and transitions programs including leveraging current business relationships across regions as well as attending networking opportunities to establish new relationships.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or minimum 4 years relevant experience
• Strong project/time management skills - including planning, analysis, attention to detail, and problem solving - and willingness to multitask
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and basic understanding of accounting principals
• Initiative, dependability, drive for results, and self-assessment skills
• Must be adaptable and able to quickly and effectively develop and balance multiple relationships, and get results from a variety of people
• Ability to effectively gain information and insight through questioning/probing and observation of staff in the field, analyze information, and compile reports
• Must be comfortable engaging with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and working with them in a supporting role
• Must be comfortable with frequent travel throughout the state, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities
• Strong initiative, drive for results, and self-assessment skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

Programs

• Develops relationships with parents, communities, schools, government and other agencies to educate them about Best Buddies Jobs and Transitions, identify potential participants and obtain participant referrals
• Performs job development for unemployed participants, including new and current employer relationships; effectively assesses employers' needs and works with them to create positions that are valuable to their enterprise and in alignment with participant's goals and support needs
• Oversees the job development efforts including setting goals regarding employer outreach and an overall development strategy for the region
• Maintains communication with employers/supervisors and advocates for participants' rights to equal treatment and pay from employers while also encouraging self-advocacy and maintaining positive employer-employee relations
• Directly manages a caseload of Jobs participants and assumes and/or supports duties of an Employment Consultant or a Jobs Supervisor as needed, including but not limited to performing intakes, conducting Individual Written Program Plans, monitoring progress, and providing job coaching
• Makes sound decisions about participants' welfare on the job site, and follows all established health and safety guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all participants
• Maintains positive relationships with families, support coordinators, and referral sources
• Provides participants and their families assistance and resources in dealing with social security issues, including explanation of work incentives
• Attends trainings as needed to maintain required certifications per state regulating agency
• Develops employer relationships that can be leveraged regionally for job placements

• Coordinate and implement Best Buddies Transitions Program curriculum through classroom-based instruction, small group, and one-to-one support as appropriate. Curriculum includes, but is not limited to, job exploration counseling, self-advocacy, workplace readiness training, work-based learning experiences, and post-secondary educational counseling.
• Works to ensure appropriate implementation of the transitions program in their region, including coaching field staff, tracking progress toward benchmarks for success, and establishing and utilizing tracking methods
• Works with Director, Jobs & Transitions to hold field staff accountable for meeting their programmatic goals, hitting benchmarks, and following best practices and guidelines
• Collaborates with Director, Transitions Program (National) on the development of new programmatic initiatives, especially providing feedback from the field regarding viability
• Ensures that the transitions program serves as a bridge between Best Buddies youth and adult programming. Proactively recruiting existing youth participants and facilitating connection of the transition's students to Best Buddies Jobs

Marketing and Fund Development

• Creates a strong presence for Best Buddies Jobs and Transitions in the local area through public speaking, community involvement, public service announcements, special events, and other media initiatives as well as provides content for monthly social media initiatives
• Develops program and expansion opportunities including leveraging current business relationships across regions as well as attending networking opportunities to establish new relationships
• Oversee deliverables for private funding sources, including grants, and stewards relationships with existing funders
• Execution of 1-2 Jobs and Transitions related events on an annual basis to encourage awareness and employer recognition and work with supervisor(s) on additional fundraising events as directed
• Providing information regarding potential donors/supporters to supervisor(s) as appropriate
• Engages Jobs and Transition program participants in local Best Buddies activities

Operations:

• Serves as primary contact and lead for state contractors and works with Program Supervisors, Jobs to manage contractual agreements including trainings, file management, timeliness of billing and audits
• Provides accountability for all Jobs staff regarding maintenance of organized filing system for all relevant paperwork and the use of Sphere and Raiser's Edge databases effectively and appropriately to manage Jobs contacts
• Ensure that the SetWorks database is properly utilized and updated routinely by the Jobs team
• Ensure that the Salesforce database is properly utilized and updated routinely by the Transitions team
• Maintains communication with State/Area/Operation and Programs Directors with timely reports, quarterly goals, and other information as directed
• Collaborates with State/Area/Operations and Programs Directors to ensure all daily infrastructure needs are met, including supplies, postage, IT, telecommunications, equipment and utilities
• Ensures the state offices are compliant with standards from auditing agencies including but not limited to CARF, Regional Centers, Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work Program.

Human Resources

• Manages recruitment, screening, hiring, training and ongoing management for the other Jobs and Transitions staff as needed in accordance with Best Buddies guidelines; approves all reports and conducts staff evaluations
• Works with all direct reports to set realistic and strategic goals, holds staff accountable for meeting these goals/plans, and develops performance/behavior improvement plans as needed; provides ongoing training and professional development opportunities as needed

Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International's core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.

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