Welcome To Southern Tech - Applying For The Work Ready Oklahoma Director Position

Purpose of Job:

Work Ready Oklahoma (WRO) is a statewide workforce program designed to help financially vulnerable individuals and families get a job, keep a job, or move into a better career. The WRO Center system relieves low-income families, individuals, and other underserved or marginalized populations from the burden of navigating a complex network of program-specific services, benefits, eligibility requirements, and supports. Individuals can access services without prior knowledge of, or relationship with, a specific program, creating a more accessible and participant-centered system.

The Director of Work Ready Oklahoma (WRO) Ardmore provides the vision, strategy, leadership, and direction necessary to implement and sustain the local WRO Center. As part of a cohesive statewide system, the Director is responsible for ensuring the Work Ready model is always implemented with fidelity. WRO Ardmore serves Carter County and surrounding counties, supporting low-income families, individuals, and other underserved or marginalized populations by simplifying access to employment, education, and support services through a coordinated, holistic approach.

This role requires a visible, community-facing leader who is well networked locally and regionally. The Director is expected to build relationships and actively promoting Work Ready Oklahoma to community and employer partners. The ideal candidate is confident, well-spoken, and comfortable presenting to large groups while building strong, trusted relationships.

 

Major Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilities:

 

Essential Functions of the Job:

1. Plan, direct, and coordinate program activities to ensure that goals, objectives, and funding requirements are met within the required time frame and parameters
2. Review the funding opportunity and program application to determine the time frame, funding limitations, procedures, staffing requirements, and allotment of available resources to various phases of the program
3. Attend annual meetings and ensure other key staff members attend
4. Oversee preparation of all required reporting and submit reports on time
5. Develop and implement a system to evaluate all staff members’ skill, experience, and professional development needs
6. Instill a sense of pride and accountability among team members by modeling oversight of individual and program performance standards
7. Ensure the success of the WRO Employment Center by collaborating with local leaders and managing site logistics, staff, outputs, and outcomes
8. Build strong local relationships with local Oklahoma Human Services (OHS) staff, community providers, and partners by serving as outreach lead
9. Foster a culture of hope among employees, partners, and participants
10. Build a network of employers who understand the value of WRO services in supporting a range of business objectives for Oklahoma employers
11. Oversee project operations, employer relationships, data management, and the completion of OHS and WRO Center goals within budget
12. Participate in WRO statewide and Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) activities as required by OHS and ensure fidelity to the WRO Program Model
13. Oversee of the program budget, expenses, invoices, and payments, as well as vendor contracts
14. Support efforts in ensuring the safety and security of the facility and grounds.
15. Responsible for maintaining and upkeep of the essential operational functions to include the physical location and technological resources.

 

 Other:

1. Perform other duties, assume responsibilities and exercise other authority as may be required or directed upon by law, the SouthernTech Deputy Superintendent or the SouthernTech Superintendent.

 

Authority of the Position:

Authority to use discretion, judgment, and knowledge according to federal and state law, school policy, and administrative regulations, by assignment and approval the District Superintendent.

 

Organizational Relationships:

Reports to: Superintendent

Education, Knowledge, Skill, & Experience Requirements:

 

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 Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in business administration, public administration, organizational leadership, social work, or a related field
2. At least five years’ experience in a management role implementing data-driven solutions
3. Experience developing and evaluating program models and successfully implementing innovative programs
4. Experience managing paid and/or voluntary staff members, including recruiting, hiring, termination, and team development
5. A combination of equivalent education and work experience may be substituted for the above requirements
6. Valid Oklahoma driver’s license

 

Knowledge and Skills:

1. Knowledge of the demand-driven approach to employment services, job development strategies, and labor market trends in a range of occupational fields
2. Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills; accuracy; and attention to detail
3. Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to share information in a compelling manner
4. Ability to devise short- and long-term plans and implement them
5. Expertise in project management and budgeting
6. Self-motivation, with an attitude toward work that is resourceful and innovative
7. Long-term commitment to and passion for the program’s work and mission
8. Strong performance-based project management skills that result in measurable successes, CQI implementation, and program growth
9. Strength in hiring, recruiting, managing, developing, coaching, and retaining individuals and teams, empowering them to elevate their levels of responsibility and performance

 

 

Physical & Mental Requirements:

 

Physical Requirements:

1. Sit for extended periods.
2. Manipulate computer keyboard.
3. Keen hearing
4. Ability to listen to others.
5. Vision: Close and distance vision required.
6. Be able to communicate.
7. Be able to properly and legally operate a school vehicle as required to travel on behalf of the district.
8. Regularly lifts up to 25 lbs. (occasionally up to 50 lbs.).
9. Ability to bend and stoop.

 

     

Mental Requirements:

1. Ability to read directions, instructions, both written, and spoken.
2. Ability to communicate effectively.
3. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community and the Board of Education.
4. Ability to write documents and effectively present information.
5. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
6. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
7. Ability to function professionally during high stress situations.
8. Ability to implement, facilitate, and complete multiple projects in a timely and efficient manner.

 

Work Environment:

Primarily an office environment; occasionally walking or working near moving mechanical equipment, fumes or airborne particles, and outdoor weather conditions.  Occasional out of district/state overnight travel is required.

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