Workforce Development Manager

A subsidiary of Veolia group, Veolia North America (VNA) is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education, and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. www.veolianorthamerica.com

Position Purpose:

The Workforce Development Manager is responsible for Veolia North America’s efforts to advance career opportunities in the water sector and empower key communities in Buffalo and across the United States. In the immediate term, this person will work to align the workforce development goals of Veolia, Buffalo Water and other water sector stakeholders in the Greater Buffalo area, supporting the development of a comprehensive water workforce ecosystem. In the long term, and in coordination with the Chief Purpose Officer, with our Talent Acquisition team, our state/local teams, and other stakeholders, this person will help create, implement, and manage programs and partnerships focused on workforce development and environmental justice for historically underserved communities, students, and those seeking long-term careers in a high-impact sector.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• The primary and initial goal of this position is to build and implement a workforce development strategy and program for the water industry in the Buffalo area, driving a stronger, more inclusive water workforce. This position has the potential to grow and cover additional national markets.
• Work with community organizations in underserved neighborhoods and local schools in Buffalo to develop and implement educational and job training opportunities, preparing candidates for internships, apprenticeships and career paths in the water industry.
• Develop a robust training program for interns. This will include working with Buffalo representatives, union representatives, and Veolia management to ensure there is a well-defined training program and career paths for interns to develop key skills that are required to become employees in the water industry.
• Coordinate with VNA stakeholders including workforce development programs in other regions, the Government Affairs team, the Communications team and the wider Municipal Water department to share best practices and collaborate on workforce development initiatives across the company, with a long-term goal of expanding this initiative to the energy, waste, and sustainability business lines of Veolia.
• Maintain regular contact and serve as a Veolia workforce development liaison to Buffalo Water, The City of Buffalo and other workforce development partners and boards throughout the region, with the goal of building a regional ecosystem that supports the water workforce.
• In partnership with Talent Acquisition Teams:
  • Align the local and regional workforce efforts with trade schools, community colleges, and local and state universities to ensure strategic training, career pathway development and recruitment opportunities across the entire water sector workforce profile, including laboratory technicians, maintenance professionals, certified operators, engineering specialists, technology innovators, procurement and accounting, and next generation green infrastructure and sustainability experts focused on making Veolia’s Ecofactory model a reality.
  • Represent Veolia at career fairs, community events, and other forums where workforce development is a focus.
  • Identify candidates to ultimately become water industry employees, specifically operations and maintenance personnel who require regulatory licenses to operate the treatment facilities in the Buffalo region and beyond.
• In collaboration with the Human Resources Partner, support candidates as a resource and mentor to help them navigate the onboarding process, on-the-job training, and career pathway development from entryto mid-level roles with the ultimate goal of becoming a valued long-term team member of Veolia or other companies tied to the water industry.
• Oversee the administration of new nonprofit collaborations and academic scholarship opportunities.
• Develop performance objectives and measure the impact of the workforce development program and intern training programs, so they can be replicated in other areas.

Education/Experience/Background:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 5-10 years of related experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting partnerships, talent acquisition, workforce development, community engagement and/or social impact initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with strategic partners, including in the public, private, and academic sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while coordinating with internal and external teams.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of and experience working within the community advocacy, social impact, higher education, and/or workforce development ecosystems.
• Knowledge of the workforce challenges of the region and industry.
• Knowledge of STEM and/or environmental justice issues is a plus.
• Ability to demonstrate strategic thinking and operational execution.
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of people within the community, management team and client in a courteous, diplomatic and professional manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proven execution skills, as well as excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Must be able to work independently and multitask while delivering high-quality results.

Physical Requirements: 

• This position is based in Buffalo, NY and will require occasional travel within the United States.

Pay Range: $117000 to $130000 per year.

Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.