Director of Workforce Services

About The Lamb Center ( www.thelambcenter.org ) The Lamb Center (TLC) is a daytime drop-in shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness in Fairfax, VA. It provides various services without cost to its guests, including breakfast, lunch, showers, laundry service, Bible study, case management, AA meetings, a nurse practitioner clinic, a dental clinic, and much more. TLC is a Christian ecumenical community of faith that partners with local churches, public agencies, and organizations passionate about serving homeless individuals. About the Workforce Services Department The Lamb Center's Workforce Services Department provides employment resources, job readiness training, and employment coaching for individuals experiencing or recently exiting homelessness. The department currently operates the Workforce Development Program — a structured job readiness training program for unhoused guests of The Lamb Center in partnership with Fairfax City and Fairfax County — and is expanding to include a satellite employment resource center located at Beacon Landing serving housed individuals and program graduates who are working toward sustainable employment, and others. The Workforce Services Department is committed to best-practice informed programming, strong employer partnerships, and a relational approach to working with participants that honors their dignity and builds on their strengths. About the Director of Workforce Services Position The Director of Workforce Services is a full-time, exempt position responsible for the strategic leadership, program development, staff supervision, and operational oversight of TLC's workforce programming across both the current Workforce Development Program and the Beacon Landing Workforce Center. This role reports to the Executive Director and serves as the primary internal and external leader for all workforce services. The Director provides visionary and practical leadership — ensuring that the programs are well-designed, evidence-informed, data-driven, and responsive to the needs of the population served. This person is equally comfortable in the details of program operations and in the room with funders, employers, and community partners. The candidate must fully support the mission, vision, and values of the Lamb Center and be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Roles and Responsibilities Program Management and Operations Provide day-to-day oversight of the Workforce Development Program and the Beacon Landing Workforce Center, ensuring both programs operate smoothly, consistently, and in alignment with TLC's mission and values Establish and maintain clear program processes, protocols, and documentation — including participant intake and exit procedures, worksite operations, staff workflows, and data practices — so that the program does not depend on any single person's institutional knowledge Ensure program procedures align with Lamb Center policies and are current, communicated to all staff, and consistently applied Monitor program capacity and participant flow, including waiting list management, enrollment, attendance, and exits Oversee financial reconciliation and worker payment processes in coordination with the Finance team Manage program budgets and expenditures in alignment with grant requirements and organizational priorities Ensure compliance with all funder and contract requirements across both program sites Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex participant situations, staff concerns, and operational challenges Staff Supervision, Development, and Training Directly supervise the Workforce Development Program Coordinator and the Beacon Landing Employment Job Coach, providing consistent, structured supervision focused on performance, development, and well-being Support the Workforce Development Program Coordinator in the supervision and development of field supervisors, ensuring that the full supervisory team has the training, clarity, and support they need to perform their roles effectively Establish a culture of accountability, learning, and mutual support within the workforce team Identify and coordinate training opportunities for all workforce staff — including trauma-informed care, de-escalation, job coaching skills, motivational interviewing, and documentation practices Conduct regular performance reviews and provide ongoing feedback, coaching, and professional development support to direct reports Support hiring processes for workforce staff positions, including developing job descriptions, participating in interviews, and supporting onboarding Ensure that new staff are properly trained, oriented, and equipped before taking on independent responsibilities Outcomes, Data, and Quality Define, track, and report on program outcomes across both workforce sites — including employment placements, participant progress, soft skill development, and program completion rates Ensure that HMIS data entry, data quality, and reporting are completed accurately and on time by all relevant staff Develop and maintain an outcomes framework that captures both the quantitative and qualitative impact of the workforce programs — including the soft skill development and work readiness gains that are central to this program model Produce regular internal reports for the Executive Director and board, and external reports for funders and contract holders, presenting program data in compelling and accurate ways Use data to identify trends, inform program adjustments, and support decision-making — ensuring the program is responsive to what the evidence shows Maintain familiarity with HMIS, TLCIS, GIS, and other program management systems used by the workforce team Ensure that all program documentation — including participant records, program documents, assessments, daily evaluations, and employment plans — is complete, accurate, and accessible Program Development and Continuous Improvement Lead the design and launch of the Beacon Landing Workforce Center, including developing the program model, defining the service scope and population, establishing operational workflows, and hiring and onboarding staff Ensure that both programs are grounded in evidence-based best practices for transitional employment and workforce development — staying current on the research, getting to know peer programs, and incorporating learning into program design Develop and refine program frameworks, participant-facing materials, staff tools, and evaluation processes so that the programs are clear, consistent, and continuously improving Lead or support the development of grant narratives, program descriptions, and logic models that accurately and compellingly represent the workforce programs Identify opportunities to expand or deepen the program's impact — including new populations served, new program models, and new certification or training opportunities for participants Ensure that the OSHA / Certified for Success certification program and other specialized programming are well-designed, effectively implemented, and evaluated for impact Create mechanisms for regular input from field staff and participants into program design — ensuring that the people closest to the work inform how the program evolves Stay current on regional labor market trends and employer needs — and use that knowledge to ensure the program builds skills that lead to real jobs. This means understanding which sectors and roles are accessible to the population TLC serves, knowing what employers require, and developing both the programming and the relationships that create clear pathways from participation to employment. Employer Relations and Partner Development Build and maintain strong relationships with TLC's existing workforce program partners — including Fairfax City's Department of Parks and Recreation and Fairfax County's Stormwater Division — ensuring those partnerships are well-managed, mutually beneficial, and growing Drawing on knowledge of the regional labor market and participant strengths, actively cultivate employer relationships that result in real hiring outcomes — including placement partnerships and hiring pipelines in sectors where participants can realistically succeed with the skills gained in the program. Maintain ongoing communication with employer partners to understand their hiring needs, gather feedback on participant performance, and ensure the program continues to develop workers who are ready for the jobs that are available. Serve as TLC's primary representative to the regional workforce ecosystem, including funders, government and private sector partners, peer organizations, and employer networks Identify and communicate funding and partnership opportunities to agency leadership as they emerge through employer and community relationships — supporting TLC's ability to pursue and formalize new resources for the workforce programs Coordinate with agency leadership to formalize new partnerships, ensuring smooth handoffs between relationship-building and the organizational processes required to finalize agreements Represent TLC's workforce programs at community meetings, conferences, and other external venues — communicating the program's model, outcomes, and vision with confidence and credibility Collaborate with the Case Management team and other TLC programs to ensure that workforce participants are connected to the broader services they need, and that the workforce program is well-integrated into TLC's overall service model Qualifications Five to seven years of experience in workforce development, social services, or a closely related field — with at least two years of demonstrated experience in program management and staff supervision Experience developing or significantly expanding a program, including defining outcomes, building infrastructure, and managing implementation Demonstrated ability to build and manage employer or community partnerships Strong data literacy — comfortable defining outcomes, analyzing data, and presenting findings to a range of audiences, including funders and board members Knowledge of workforce training, and familiarity with best practices in workforce development for populations experiencing homelessness Experience with HMIS and/or similar program data systems preferred Excellent written and verbal communication skills — able to write compelling grant narratives, produce clear program reports, and represent the organization confidently in external settings Strong supervisory skills — able to provide accountability and support in equal measure, and to build a team culture that is high-performing, staff-centered, and driven by a genuine investment in the growth and well-being of the people they lead Trauma-informed approach to working with program participants and staff — understands how homelessness, housing instability, and systemic inequity shape the people this program serves Ability to hold both the strategic and the operational — comfortable thinking about long-term program direction while also attending to the details of day-to-day program quality Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in social work, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field preferred Must fully support the mission, vision, and values of The Lamb Center Must be lawfully eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship Working Conditions This is primarily an office-based position, with regular presence at the Lamb Center and periodic visits to program worksites and the Beacon Landing Workforce Center. Some evening or weekend availability may be required for community events or partner meetings. The Director of Workforce Services must be comfortable working in an environment that serves individuals experiencing homelessness and that operates according to TLC's Christian, ecumenical values. Essential functions of this job may require the following physical demands: Ability to sit or stand for long periods Ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards Occasional exposure to loud, hectic environment Possible contact with individuals in crisis, who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health, and safety practices Driving a large vehicle Operating equipment and tools Standing, bending, and crouching Walking up to one mile from transportation Walking and kneeling on uneven or steep surfaces Exposure to hot and cold climates Ability to wear personal protective equipment

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$80,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

workforce development and/or social services: 5 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person