Apprenticeship Readiness & Operations Manager

The WRTP|BIG STEP Program was established to connect individuals with employment and career opportunities in the skilled trades. WRTP|BIG STEP is the major assistance program that was designed to help interested candidates upgrade their skills in reading comprehension, arithmetic, algebra, mechanical and spatial aptitude required to pass the necessary apprenticeship tests.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instructional Department Oversight

• Evaluate the effectiveness of curriculums & teaching techniques to ensure effective & efficient instruction.
• Create an instructional strategy and departmental workplan to outline and define methods to facilitate effective learning objectives for successful BIG STEP outcomes.
• Guide and mentor all tutors (in-house and remote).
• Perform annual review and audit of all tutors.
• Review and approve all tutors’ timecards to ensure that the recorded hours are correctly recorded and completed, working with them to fix timecard errors.
• Ensure educational material is available to all participants and staff.
• Monitor and update all posted trade requirements.
• Assess type of tutoring (inhouse or remote) and preferred timeframe for tutoring sessions to schedule tutoring appointments closest to participants needs.
• Understand and communicate programs, enrollment, and eligibility process.
• Contact union representatives with participants scores and program completions.
• This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required and other duties may be assigned as needed.  It does not represent a contract of employment. WRTP/BIG STEP reserves the right to change the job description and/or post at any time without advance notice.

Navigation & Instruction

• Assess skills, abilities, attitudes and needs to identify potential career paths in the construction industry. 
• Assists customers in identifying and addressing barriers to employment and refers services within the one-stop system as appropriate or to community resources as necessary.
• Proctor Accuplacer testing and enter data upon completion.
• For participants not achieving needed Accuplacer scores, evaluate and develop a personal plan for tutoring needs and communicate plan with assigned tutor.
• Schedule all tutoring appointments, both virtual and in-person.
• Serve as the direct contact for all unions, responsible for sending all scores and respond to requests for scores.
• Responsible for labeling and filing of all RPP, tutoring, testing and orientation files.
• Complete all data entry I ETO for all participants that have tutored and/or tested.
• Make retention calls for participants needing tutoring or testing.
• Answer and respond to all calls regarding tutoring and testing, including general inquiries, scheduling, and reprinting of scores.
• Provide in-person tutoring in the Milwaukee office according to each participant’s personal plan.
• After completion of the program, up to 12 months, conduct follow-up status with participants.

Operations Management

• Lead and manage day-to-day front desk/TSA operations to ensure efficiency and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders on front desk and TSA operational matters.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and best practices.
• Identify areas for innovation and implement initiatives to improve efficiency and productivity for front desk and TSA.
• Coach, mentor, and discipline assigned staff.
• Monitor, review and approve timekeeping, vacations and attendance of assigned staff.
• Ability to cover front desk when needed or find appropriate coverage.
• Able to become TSA Agent certified to help cover TSA clients when needed.
• Maintain a safe, secure, and pleasant work environment
• Perform other related duties as assigned, within your scope of practice to help drive to our Vision, fulfill our Mission, and abide by our Organization’s Values.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Superior oral and written communication abilities.
• Excellent time management, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Thorough knowledge of standard computer programs, including Microsoft Office, and ability to learn new systems.
• Highly effective communication, facilitation, problem solving, and team-building skills. Must be highly motivated by the mission of the WRTP | BIG STEP.
• Previous experience working with federal and state-based programming such as FSET, WIOA, and other DOL and DWD job training programs is desired.
• Ability to establish rapport and relate sensitively to a multiracial and multicultural group of customers.
• Understanding others’ challenges and barriers and the ability to adjust and provide guidance to help participants achieve their career goals.
• Bilingual instructor is a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods standing and walking throughout facilities.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to bend, lift, stretch, climb, and crawl to maintain equipment and buildings.
• Must be able to perform work in a variety of weather conditions.

Personal Attributes

• Follow the WRTP | BIG STEP Code of Conduct.
• Adhere to established policies and procedures of the program, agency and of all funding sources.
• Conduct self in an ethical manner.
• Maintain professional and respectful relationships with staff, participants, and all external persons and agencies involved with WRTP | BIG STEP and its partnering agencies.
• Inclusive and equitable in treatment of all persons regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, religion, ability, or any other factor.
• Demonstrates commitment to the WRTP | BIG STEP mission, vision, and values.

Work Relationship

• Reports to the Chief Operations officer.
• Has contact and works comfortably with a wide variety of individuals including, but not limited to staff, partnering agencies, federal and state-based contractors/vendors, unions, employers, and members of the community.

Working Conditions

• This work is performed primarily in an office setting but will include other settings including other businesses and outdoors.
• Will work with a diverse population and may include youth, justice-impacted individuals, individuals facing barriers, etc.
• Minimum of 40 hours per week.
• Must be flexible, ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• This position requires the ability to regularly sit and write at a computer, stand, and lift less than 30 pounds, frequently move from room to room to accommodate guests, use a telephone and use computer equipment to generate input and output and transmit data.

WRTP/BIG STEP is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All federal, state, and local and other fair employment standards including EEO and ADA requirements in race, gender, gender identification, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, veterans, or disabled veteran’s status as found in 41CFR 60-1.4, 60-250.4 and 60-741.4 are herein incorporated by reference. Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. WRTP/BIG STEP encourages applications from all the above referenced protected and unprotected status groups. WRTP|BIG STEP performs pre-employment background checks subject to job requirements, notify HR (Human Resources) if special accommodations are needed. 

• Health Insurance - Employer pays 85% of health plan. 
• Dental Insurance (single or family) – 100% Employer paid. 
• Vision Insurance (single or family) – 100% Employer paid. 
• Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance – 100% Employer paid. 
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance – 100% Employer paid.
• 10 vacation days after 90 days of employment. 
• 9 personal days annually after 90 days of employment. 
• 14 Paid Holidays annually. 
• 10% of monthly salary contributed by company to retirement accounts.
• Salary: $60,000 - $63,000