26-27 SCALE Department Chair - Workforce Program

Somerville Public Schools

SCALE - Somerville, Massachusetts This job is also posted in Somerville Public Schools

Job Details

Job ID:

5930954

Application Deadline:

Posted until filled

Posted:

Sep 17, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date:

Immediately

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Workforce Department Chair will provide school-wide support services to students, educators and staff in the continued implementation and expansion of the Workforce Program. The Workforce Department Chair must be committed to adult academic excellence and have demonstrated capability as a dynamic instructional leader, administrator and coach. This position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to build consensus, work collaboratively with other administrators and staff, students and the community-at-large. The Department Chair for the Workforce Program serves as an instructional coach and integral member of the SCALE leadership team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities listed below reflect the primary duties of the position; the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the role. Additional responsibilities that are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position may be assigned as needed to meet program, legal, or operational needs.

Oversees, assists in hires, trains, and evaluates Workforce department staff; manages learning programs for adult learners.

Develops adult education curriculum aligned with DESE guidelines, CCRSAE standards, and ELA frameworks.

Directs student recruitment and builds employer partnerships for internships, work-based learning, and job placements.

Manages department budgets, materials, and grant proposals (local, state, federal); oversees LACES assessment data reporting.

Designs, adapts, and updates adult workforce curricula to align with College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRSAE) and DESE's ELA Curriculum Frameworks.

Identifies professional development needs for instructional staff; plans, conducts, and coordinates PD sessions to improve teaching methods across the workforce department.

Oversees administration of required DESE standardized assessments (such as MAPT, STAR, or HiSET) and collaborates with the LACES data administrator to produce annual progress reports.

Proactively builds and maintains formal partnerships with regional employers, career centers, community organizations, and workforce development boards.

Secures clinical placements, internships, apprenticeships, and job-shadowing positions for adult learners.

Facilitates direct job placement services for graduates and conducts ongoing follow-ups with employers and alumni to track retention and credential attainment data.

Creates and executes recruitment strategies to meet enrollment targets across all workforce training pathways.

Coordinates student application reviews, intake documentation, baseline testing, and program orientation.

Directs full-time and part-time department staff—including screening, interviewing, hiring recommendations, scheduling, daily supervision, and annual performance evaluations.

Researches, drafts, negotiates, and monitors local, state, federal, and private grant proposals and contracts. Collect, analyze and report program performance data, including recruitment, enrollment, completion, credential attainment, and employment outcomes.

Oversees department operating budgets, processes invoices, orders instructional materials and software, and reports financial and program data to external funding sources.

Coordinates directly with SCALE leadership (ELL and ABE Program Administrators, HiSET Chief Examiner) and Somerville High School Guidance for interdepartmental student referrals and integrated education initiatives.

RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree (BA) in Education, Administration, or related field (minimum).

5+ years of adult education teaching experience & 3+ years of supervisory/administrative experience preferred.

Demonstrated experience in workforce training programs.

Experience with

DESE ACLS

guidelines and LACES software.

Excellent computer skills, including facility with MS Excel

Excellent organizational skills

Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills

MA DESE Supervisor license

Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole, and MAPT/STAR/HiSET assessor certification are preferred.

Experience with and commitment to working with students and staff of diverse backgrounds.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Position Reports to: Director of SCALE

POSITION DETAILS

Location:

TAB Building - SCALE

Union Affiliation:

Somerville Administrators Association

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Work Year:

205 days

Work Hours:

Includes three (3) evenings until 9:15 p.m.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Benefits:

Benefits Eligible

Salary:

In accordance with the Somerville Administrators Association Collective Bargaining Agreement

•This position is grant-funded and is contingent upon the availability and continuation of state and federal funding.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Clearance

Fingerprint-Based National Criminal Background Check (SAFIS)

The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs, facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the bases of race, color, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, home status, marital/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

Position Type:

Full-Time

Salary:

$132,672 to $145,172 Salary per CBA salary schedule