The Idaho Department of Labor’s Workforce Programs Administration Bureau is recruiting a Workforce Development Program Specialist (Project Director) for its Boise central office. The director will lead RESTART Idaho–Young Adult, a statewide workforce initiative designed for justice-involved young adults ages 18 to 24.
This is a project-leadership role rather than a front-desk employment-services job. The selected person will be responsible for coordinating a multi-agency grant, supervising staff, building employer and apprenticeship connections and making sure services meet federal workforce-program requirements.
About RESTART Idaho–Young Adult
The initiative is designed to help young adults move from justice-system involvement toward education, training and employment. The project uses a phased approach that starts before release, supports the transition back into the community and continues with post-release retention services.
Participants can receive assessments, Individual Development Plans, digital and AI literacy support, financial-literacy instruction, resume and interview preparation and connections to education or employment services.
Project Director Responsibilities
The director leads planning, implementation, statewide coordination and follow-up for the project. The work involves Idaho Department of Labor staff as well as corrections, juvenile justice, probation and parole, community organizations, employers, apprenticeship sponsors and other partners.
The director also supervises reentry-focused case managers and works with business-services staff to increase access to pre-apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, on-the-job training, work experience and industry-recognized credentials.
Federal Program and Performance Work
RESTART Idaho operates within workforce-program and grant requirements, so the director needs to understand WIOA Youth service delivery and federal employment-program rules.
Performance is tracked through systems such as IdahoWorks. Measures can include employment, earnings, credentials, apprenticeship participation and other project outcomes. The director is expected to use performance information to improve service delivery instead of treating reporting as a separate administrative task.
Experience That Fits the Position
The recruitment looks for knowledge of local workforce-development office operations and service delivery, experience using common computer applications and workforce systems, and experience interpreting and applying federal employment-service programs, regulations or procedures.
Relevant management backgrounds can include workforce development, reentry, corrections or human services. Experience coordinating several agencies and delivering training is especially useful because the position must keep partners and staff working toward the same grant objectives.
Budget and Grant Management
The project director works with accounting, grants-management and financial staff on the project budget and federal compliance. The position also needs to plan beyond the initial grant period by identifying ways the strongest parts of the program can continue.
Applicants should show examples of managing funded programs, coordinating deliverables, tracking outcomes or working under federal or state program rules if they have that experience.
How to Apply
The Idaho Department of Labor is currently advertising this recruitment through State of Idaho hiring channels. Search the State Careers portal for Workforce Development Program Specialist (Project Director) and review the current announcement before applying.
Apply through the official application page
Official source: View vacancy notice