Position Summary:

This is a full time, Industry Sector Partnership Convenor position housed with the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative “the Collaborative”. The Convener role will connect with and survey local industry and public partners to determine interest and top needs for industry sector partnerships. The key piece of this role is developing and implementing a NextGen Sector Partnership program for Region 9 which entails building, launching, and managing industry sector partnerships with the goal of identifying industry priorities, challenges and developing solutions to meet these priority needs through a collaborative approach.

This position is located within Region 9 and will be expected to support via a hybrid model counties: La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma-Cortez, and Dolores Counties. This entails someone who is able to travel, engage with communities across multiple counties, and can work independently.

Overview:

Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce was awarded a three year grant to establish a NextGen Sector Partnership model within Region 9. Sector Partnerships are partnerships of business leaders from the same industry and in a shared labor market region who work with education, workforce development, economic development and community organizations to address the workforce and other competitive needs of their industry. After receiving the award, it was decided “the Collaborative” would be a strong organization to house this position and provide needed support and oversight towards meeting the grant objectives.

Comprised of five school districts in southwest Colorado (Archuleta, Bayfield, Durango, Ignacio, and Silverton), and two institutions of higher education (Pueblo Community College and Fort Lewis College), the Collaborative was formed in 2021 to address areas of common need for students in the region, allowing them to access additional opportunities for post-secondary success. In partnership with the five school districts, two higher education partners, and local community partners, the Collaborative is establishing college and career pathways by partnering in a more deliberate and coherent way to ensure high quality programming is available to all students in the region.

To support this innovative project, the Pagosa Springs Chamber and the Collaborative is seeking a candidate who is both prepared and excited to be a leader in building and implementing systems for a new NextGen Sector Partnership, engaging industry leaders to form sector partnerships, and collaborate with workforce centers, K-12 institutions, and Higher Education institutions to ensure full participation in building solutions towards identified priorities.

This position is a grant funded position for three years and will be overseen by the Collaborative.The Collaborative receives multi-year funding from several federal and state sources as well as financial support from partner school districts. Ideally, we are seeking candidates who possess a background in industry, education, and demonstrated experience with building coalitions across regions.

Essential Functions

This full time position includes being responsible for developing, organizing, and implementing a sustainable Sector Partnership program for the Southwest Region.

Key functions include:

• Developing, organizing, and implementing a Sector Partnership program
• Collaborate with regional support partners including workforce centers within the regions of operation
• Ensure alignment with the NextGen sector partnership model
• Coordinate and engage with public partners
• Advising on industry specific career pathway development as needed
• Interpret industry priorities and develop responsive solutions with sector partnership teams
• Broker collaborations across programs with institutional silos
• Build and maintain relationship contacts working to engage additional employers and public partners to advance the priorities of the partnership
• Participate in training opportunities and community of practice opportunities offered by CWDC
• Collect and manage various forms of data for grant progress monitoring and transparency
• Support with building and implementing a region-wide work based learning database platform
• Work with Career & College Coordinators to connect industry partners with work based learning events in the region
• Assist with work based learning events when necessary
• Other duties as assigned

Skills & Qualifications:

• Organized, attention to detail, professional presentation
• Demonstrated ability to convene groups of individuals and foster collaboration
• Previous experience with facilitation and management of groups
• Prior experience working within an industry sector
• Prior experience/demonstrated understanding of education systems
• Proactive approach to workflow, including an eye for creating systems and improving processes and communication
• Experience with building and implementing programs and systems
• Strong communication skills to work with a wide variety of staff, industry leaders, state representatives, and educators
• Proficiency with technology software
• Attention to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce
• Strong prioritization skills, with flexibility to support multiple projects across a variety of work streams
• The curiosity and drive to identify challenges and support teams with building and implementing creative solutions
• Valid driver's license is required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related public relations field
• 3 years previous experience as an industry leader
• 1-3 years previous experience in education systems related to career and college pathways
• Experience with data collection and grant reporting

Please note that experience includes lived experience, traditional knowledge, volunteer experience, school or coursework, work experience and other related qualifications, skills and experience. We realize that no candidate will meet every requirement. If you're excited about the position and think you may be a good candidate, we encourage you to apply!

Compensation:

Salary range is $52,000-$55,000 for this year-round position with a comprehensive benefits package including: a health care stipend, workmen's compensation, short-term disability, and up to a 3% match for retirement.

Application Process:

A complete application packet will include:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position
• Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to work in a collaborative, detail-focused environment
• Current resume

Please submit all materials as one PDF via email to: sjohns@swcoedcollaborative.org

Application materials received by Friday, February 27th, 2023 will receive full consideration. Position will remain open until filled.

Equal Opportunity

Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment, admission, and education shall be extended to all persons. The Collaborative shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The Collaborative is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment; applications from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

ADAA Accommodations

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Samantha Johns by email sjohns@swcoedcollaborative.org at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.