Job Details

Overview

The Port of San Diego is seeking a Workforce Partnership Administrator to lead efforts that connect communities and businesses to the opportunities created by a changing economy. This role advances workforce access and career advancement, ensuring residents gain pathways into quality careers as the region grows in areas such as clean cargo, renewable energy, and other high-demand industries. The Administrator will bring together employers, labor, educators, and community partners to create career pathways, secure funding, and deliver programs that expand economic mobility for workers while strengthening the region's competitiveness. This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-looking team committed to building a resilient, opportunity-rich, and future-ready workforce that reflects the Port's values of stewardship, innovation, and community prosperity.

The position may require working some weekends and evenings to support community events.

Definition

Under general direction, administers and manages the Port's workforce development initiatives and partnerships; serves as responsible staff member for designing, implementing, and evaluating programs that respond to regional labor market needs, advance equity, and strengthen economic mobility; builds and manages cross-sector partnerships with employers, training providers, labor organizations, and community stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of workforce initiatives that produce measurable outcomes in job placement, retention, and career advancement; aligns programs with federal and state workforce policies, leverages labor market intelligence, and drives innovation to support the Port's mission to build a resilient, future-ready workforce; manages the effective use of section resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex and responsible support to the Deputy Director in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

Supervision and Class Characteristics

Receives general direction from the Deputy Director. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

This is a program administrator classification responsible for planning, organizing, managing, and evaluating the operations and activities of the Port's workforce development program. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include program evaluation and recommendation, and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards related to workforce initiatives. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines. Employees serve as a specialist, liaison, and advocate for workforce programs, with regular contact and interactions with Port senior and executive management, employers, training providers, labor organizations, other public agencies, community partners, and members of the public.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership in the development and implementation of workforce initiatives that align with regional economic priorities, employer demand, and future-of-work trends; drives sector-based strategies in high-growth industries such as maritime, clean energy, technology, and transportation.
• Plans, develops, administers, implements, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Port's workforce development initiatives and partnerships.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for workforce programs; recommends appropriate service levels within department policy; recommends and administers policies and procedures.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of public administration and management, including budget administration, contract management, and grant oversight.
• Applicable federal, state, and local workforce development laws, regulations, and guidelines, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and related compliance requirements.

• Workforce development systems, apprenticeship models, and best practices for designing and implementing sector-based initiatives.
• Methods and techniques of labor market research and analysis, including the use of workforce data systems, dashboards, and labor intelligence tools.
• Principles of strategic planning, policy analysis, and program evaluation.
• Community and stakeholder engagement strategies for building partnerships with employers, education providers, labor organizations, and community-based agencies.
• Equity-focused workforce practices, including strategies for addressing systemic barriers faced by underrepresented and underserved populations.
• Techniques for effectively representing the Port in contacts with governmental agencies, employers, workforce coalitions, chambers of commerce, and community groups.
• Recent and ongoing developments, current literature, and sources of information related to workforce development, economic mobility, and future-of-work trends.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical reports, policy documents, presentations, and general business correspondence.
• Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Port staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, develop, implement, and administer workforce development programs, initiatives, and partnerships.
• Apply principles of leadership to guide teams, foster collaboration, and ensure effective group dynamics.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor budgets, contracts, and grants to ensure accountability and compliance.
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local workforce development laws, regulations, and guidelines, including WIOA.
• Design, implement, and evaluate workforce development programs, apprenticeship models, and sector-based initiatives.
• Conduct and interpret labor market research and analysis, using workforce data systems, dashboards, and labor intelligence tools to inform decision-making.
• Develop and implement strategic plans, policies, and program evaluations that align with Port and community workforce priorities.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with employers, education providers, labor organizations, and community-based agencies.
• Apply equity-focused practices to address systemic barriers and promote workforce access for underrepresented and underserved populations.
• Represent the department and the Port effectively in meetings with governmental agencies, employers, coalitions, chambers of commerce, and community groups.
• Stay current with trends and best practices in workforce development, economic mobility, and future-of-work strategies.
• Prepare clear, concise, and persuasive technical reports, policy documents, presentations, and correspondence.
• Ensure adherence to Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Provide a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with the public, vendors, contractors, and Port staff.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using proper English grammar and syntax.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment for program, project, and task coordination.

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, business administration, workforce development, economics, or a related field.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in workforce development, community development, or a related field, including two (2) years of experience in grant development and management.

Licenses and Certifications: Certain assignments may require a valid driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program.

Recruitment Information

The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review will be invited to the assessment process which may be administered by a written examination, panel interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more of the assessments listed below. A passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section.

The initial assessment (40%) and appraisal panel (60%) are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website: If applicable please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded) to your application or your application will be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.

Placement on Eligible List: The Department of Human Resources may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the assessment process. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the assessment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of ninety (90) days or up to one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to Rule 8, Section 4.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The District firmly believes in, and is committed to, the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. It is the policy of the District to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, marital status, medical condition, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various Port sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

Environmental Conditions

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and/or private representatives in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures.