Workforce Research and Policy Fellow

Workforce Research and Policy Fellow

Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Cook, IL
Last Updated: 03/18/2011

Job Description:
Job Title: Workforce Research and Policy Fellow
Reports To: Director of IMPACT and the NTJN


Fellowship Information: The purpose of this fellowship is to train someone for future leadership in the workforce development field. Training areas include topical training on best practices in employing people who are homeless and in employing older workers; policy training on core federal workforce programs; and research training in conducting interviews, focus groups, literature reviews and group processes. This position will not exceed 12 months.

Summary: The National Transitional Jobs Network (NTJN) is a coalition of city, state, and federal policy makers; community workforce organizations; and anti- poverty nonprofit service providers and advocacy organizations committed to advancing and strengthening Transitional Jobs programs around the country so that people with barriers to employment can gain success in the workplace and improve their economic lives and the economic conditions of their communities. The NTJN is a trusted resource locally and nationally for information on effectiveness of subsidized and transitional jobs programs, perspectives of different stakeholders, and the implications for policymaking. The NTJN is paving the way to understanding unique needs of vulnerable workers and promising program and policy solutions. The Workforce Fellow works with a team of workforce development and research experts, and as part of that team is responsible for assisting with population, program and policy research and with the development of best practice guides and policy analysis.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

•Education and/or Experience: Master's degree (M. A.) in public policy, social work, or related field required.
•Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
•Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
•Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
•Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Excel and statistical software.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•Writes research, policy, best practices briefs and reports.
•Develops and adapts surveys and interviews.
•Develops and manages input processes for a variety of stakeholder groups.
•Analyzes data and information and summarizes findings.
•Researches and learns about history and recent evolution of employment programming for disadvantaged groups including models, funding and policy. Presents findings to team and in writing.
•Reviews literature from appropriate sources and write summaries.
•Prepares and gives presentations on projects and findings.
•Organizes meetings, conference calls, webinars and events.
•Takes notes and minutes at meetings, calls and events.
•Other duties may be assigned.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies.
•Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
•Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.
•Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
•Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
•Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
•Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
•Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
•Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

•While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
•The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
•The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit and reach with hands and arms.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

Heartland Alliance makes all hiring and employment decisions without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, sexual identity, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the Organization's AIDS Policy Statement of September, 1987. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation should contact the Employee Services Office at (312) 660-1431.

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