Director of Community Development

Job Title: Director of Community Development
Department: Community Development
Reports To: CEO
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Colusa, Glenn, Tehama, Butte

Position Summary:
The Director of Community Development is responsible for leading the organization's New Leaf Industries program, integrating workforce training, social enterprise initiatives, and healthcare services to provide career opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment. This role oversees the programmatic and operational aspects of workforce development initiatives, including cafes throughout our service area, the medically tailored meals program under our CalAIM contract, and the Thryve Day Habilitation Program. The Director will supervise a Workforce Development Manager, responsible for program administration, compliance, and case management, a Regional Operations Manager, responsible for business performance and apprentice integration into cafes, and a Community Health Manager, who is responsible for outreach through Community Health Workers (CHWs). Additionally, the Director will play a lead role in securing funding for the program through grants and contracts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Workforce Development Program Leadership:

Lead the design, development, and maintenance of the Apprenticeship Program, integrating workforce training with social enterprises such as cafes.

Develop partnerships with local workforce boards, employers, and educational institutions to enhance the apprenticeship pipeline.

Ensure apprentices receive structured training in workplace skills, soft skills, and job readiness through Thryve Day Habilitation classes.

Track and report key performance metrics, including apprentice job placement rates, revenue from cafes, and enrollment in the Thryve program.

Operations & Business Performance Oversight:

Provide strategic oversight of cafe operations, ensuring financial sustainability and alignment with workforce training objectives.

Supervise the Regional Operations Manager to maintain business performance, financial accountability, and quality control across all cafes.

Oversee the Workforce Development Manager to ensure proper program administration, case management, and compliance with workforce training standards.

Ensure seamless integration of apprentices into cafes and monitor their progress through structured mentorship and job readiness assessments.

Direct the procurement process for Medically Tailored Meals and cafes, ensuring proper forecasting.

Apprenticeship Program Development & Management:

Oversee the structured hiring and placement of apprentices through the Workforce Development Manager and Apprentice Services Coordinators.

Ensure apprentices are hired as paid employees or enrolled in a structured internship model, depending on program requirements.

Manage the rotational training of apprentices through different roles in cafes, including front-of-house, barista, cashier, and kitchen prep.

Oversee the integration of work-based learning with soft skills development as outlined in the CalAIM Day Habilitation Program curriculum.

Ensure apprentices have a set schedule that includes both work at cafes and attendance at Thryve training sessions.

Implement monthly assessment processes to track apprentice progress and ensure they meet key milestones, including obtaining their Food Handler Certificate.

Medically Tailored Meals Program Oversight:

Lead program strategy, ensuring meals produced by apprentices meet quality, health, and safety standards.

Oversee logistics, food production, and delivery to ensure compliance with CalAIM contracts and Medicaid requirements.

Establish partnerships with health plans, community health workers, and nutrition professionals to optimize meal services.

Maintain regulatory compliance, including food safety certifications and Medicaid billing requirements.

Thryve Day Habilitation Program Leadership:

Oversee the Thryve Day Habilitation Program, ensuring integration with Workforce Development initiatives and cafe operations.

Ensure apprentices are enrolled in relevant work-specific and soft skills classes, including workforce readiness, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Develop and implement class curricula supporting workforce readiness, life skills, and vocational training.

Monitor enrollment, engagement, and outcomes to track participant success.

Ensure compliance with Medicaid/CalAIM regulations and workforce training standards.

Community Health Services:

Oversee the Community Health Manager (RN/LVN), who manages Community Health Workers (CHWs) operating out of hospitals, jails, libraries, and Thryve day centers, providing navigation services and CalAIM referrals through CHW benefit services.

Support initiatives for CHWs to facilitate referrals from hospitals and senior apartments to the Medically Tailored Meals program.

Ensure effective integration of Community Health services into workforce development strategies, leveraging CHW outreach for identifying potential apprentices and service recipients.

Collaborate with healthcare providers and community partners to strengthen referral pathways and improve community health outcomes through comprehensive navigation and resource connection.

Short-Term Post-Hospitalization Housing (STPHH) Program Oversight – CalAIM:
• Provide executive oversight of the Short-Term Post-Hospitalization Housing Program under CalAIM.
• Supervise the Operations Manager (Housing), who oversees residential properties, housing staff, and day-to-day housing operations.
• Ensure compliance with CalAIM housing requirements, Medicaid regulations, health plan contracts, and local housing standards.
• Monitor participant eligibility, length of stay requirements, discharge planning, and documentation standards.
• Ensure safe, stable, and well-maintained housing environments in collaboration with Facilities and Compliance teams.
• Oversee program outcomes, including housing stabilization, connection to long-term housing resources, and integration with workforce or healthcare services.
• Manage housing-related risk mitigation, including safety policies, staffing models, and operational procedures.

Funding & Growth Initiatives:

Lead efforts to secure funding through grants and contracts, providing strategic direction for funding applications.

Collaborate with development staff to identify and successfully apply for grant opportunities.

Expand workforce development initiatives by identifying new cafe locations, business opportunities, and employer partnerships.

Advocate for workforce development initiatives at local and state levels to ensure program visibility and sustainability.