Director of Workforce Development

Job Title: Director of Workforce Development 

Location: Hybrid 

Reports to: Senior Director of Learning & Engagement

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt 

Salary: $80 -$85k 

About Us: 

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is a museum interpreting the legacy of American criminal justice reform from the site of the world’s first penitentiary. The facility pioneered the large-scale use of solitary confinement in the early 19th century and housed approximately 85,000 people during its 142 years of operation. The building itself was an architectural wonder: it had running water and central heat before the White House, and its revolutionary wagon-wheel design has been copied by more than 300 prisons around the globe. Although the prison now stands in ruin, its story remains relevant today. 

Today, Eastern State Penitentiary attracts hundreds of thousands of guests from around the world each year to explore the site’s fascinating past and contemplate some of the most critical issues facing our nation. Its innovative public history program draws connections to contemporary justice reform through an approach that values multiple perspectives, amplifies marginalized voices, and respects a broad range of visitors’ interests and learning styles. 

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation that operates the penitentiary, a National Historic Landmark, as an historic site and museum. 

Job Summary: 

The Director of Workforce Development will lead the strategic planning, growth, implementation, and evaluation of our workforce development and reentry initiatives, including the Preservation Trades Center and LEAD Fellowship. This leadership role requires a compassionate leader responsible for shaping and scaling programs that empower justice-impacted individuals through education, job training and holistic support. The ideal candidate brings lived experience with the criminal justice system, a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals reentering society from incarceration, and a bold commitment to workforce equity.  

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Program Development and Management: 

• Lead cross-departmental collaboration with senior leaders in Preservation and Operations and Learning and Engagement to integrate workforce development and reentry programming across public and internal platforms.  Oversee program design and day-to-day operations of all reentry and workforce development programs. 

• Create and manage multi-year program budgets, ensuring financial sustainability and efficiency. 

• Travel will be required to promote the program and recruit program participants, including recruitment at local correctional facilities. 

2. Strategic Leadership: 

• Collaborate with the executive team to develop long-term strategies for program growth and sustainability ensuring alignment with Eastern State’s mission and long-term goals. 

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including grants and strategic partnerships. 

• Conduct regular assessments of program effectiveness, compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, and implement improvements as needed. 

• Work with executive team to support government relations and civic engagement efforts. 

3. Support and Advocacy: 

• Provide direct support and mentorship to program participants. 

• Advocate for the needs and rights of individuals transitioning from incarceration and facing other barriers to employment. 

• Develop and maintain relationships with program partners, agencies, employers, and other stakeholders to support participants' success. 

• Team Leadership and Talent Development: 

• Recruit, train, and supervise program participants, program staff, and volunteers. 

• Foster a culture of accountability, compassion and growth. Design and implement ongoing professional development opportunities for staff and program participants. 

• Provide high-level guidance and support to program participants, ensuring their success and well-being. 

• Champion inclusive hiring practices and trauma-informed leadership across the organization. 

4. Impact Measurement: 

• Collect and organize feedback from program participants, staff, and performance metrics to drive innovation and continuous improvement to assist in program evaluation and improvement. 

• Maintain accurate records and data on program participants and outcomes. 

• Prepare regular impact reports for the executive team, board of directors, program partners, and funders. 

• Utilize data to drive program improvements, demonstrate impact, and inform strategic decisions. 

• Assist in maintaining the workforce development budget, tracking expenses, and processing reimbursements. 

5. Community Engagement: 

• Represent the historic site at local and national events, meetings, and conferences. 

• Build and maintain relationships and serve as main point of contact with local businesses, employers, service providers, and government agencies. This includes program updates, scheduling, professional development, and offsite trips. 

• Promote awareness and understanding of reentry issues within the community. 

• Schedule, design, and facilitate events such as career chats, training sessions, alumni engagement and other gatherings.  

Qualifications: 

• Lived Experience: Personal experience with the criminal justice system and successful reentry is strongly preferred. 

• Education: Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, education, or a related field preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered. 

• Experience: Minimum of 5years in program management, workforce development, reentry services, or related fields. Experience working with formerly incarcerated individuals is highly preferred. 

• Driver’s License: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license within six months of hire. 

• Skills: 

• Strong leadership and management skills. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders. 

• Knowledge of workforce development strategies and reentry best practices. 

• Proficiency in data management and reporting. 

Core Competencies: 

• Empathy and Compassion: A deep understanding of and sensitivity to the challenges faced by individuals transitioning from incarceration. 

• Leadership: Ability to inspire and lead a team towards achieving common goals. 

• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to develop and implement long-term strategies for program success. 

• Advocacy: Strong commitment to advocating for the rights and needs of program participants. 

• Collaboration: Effective collaboration with internal and external partners to support program goals. Open and responsive to feedback from internal and external partners, and program participants.  

• Self-Starter: Comfortable operating autonomously, but also aware of when and how to advocate for the help and resources needed for success. 

Commitment to Diversity: 

We strongly believe in the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize that a diverse workforce brings together unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, leading to increased creativity, innovation, and better decision-making. As such, we actively seek out and value job applicants from all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, ages, or disability. Our commitment to DEI extends throughout our hiring process, ensuring equal opportunities and fair treatment for all candidates. We firmly believe that by fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, we can create a stronger, more vibrant, and more successful organization. 

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:  

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment. 

ESPHS strongly believes in second chances and, as such, is committed to providing appropriate employment opportunities to those who have been incarcerated. As a condition of employment, all individuals who accept an employment offer must complete a criminal background check. Eastern State will review any criminal record and make appropriate employment decisions in accordance with applicable law and its policies.