PSE I - Director of Employment and Workforce Development

The State of Kansas is hiring a full-time Director of Employment and Workforce Development for the Kansas Department of Corrections. This position, located in Topeka or Leavenworth, involves leading workforce initiatives and creating employment pipelines for incarcerated individuals. The role offers a salary between $50,918.40 and $58,884.80 annually, along with benefits such as medical coverage, paid leave, and retirement programs.
Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy: Req.#216844
Job Posting closes: Thursday, June 12, 2025
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Agency Information:
Kansas Department of Corrections
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Our Mission:_ Partnering to Promote Safety and Responsibility through Best Practices.
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Our Vision:* Transforming Lives for the Safety of All.
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Our Beliefs:* Our employees are our most influential resource. Everyone has worth and will be treated with dignity and respect through our words and actions. Everyone deserves compassion, empathy, and support. Everyone has the potential for future success through effective development and support. Transformative change is accomplished through teamwork and collaboration. Trust, honesty and transparency are essential to our success. Inclusive practices, acceptance and diversity are the foundation of our mission.
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Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9. KDOC does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here. For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here.
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About the Position: PSE I - Director of Employment and Workforce Development, Req.#216844
This position will be located at our Kansas Department of Corrections Central Office, in Shawnee County, or at the Lansing Correctional Facility, in Leavenworth County.
Who can apply: Applicants who meet the minimum requirements
Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified Service
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
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• Compensation: $50,918.40 to $58,884.80 /Annual ($24.48 to $28.31/Hourly)
• Offered salary will be determined by education, experience, or qualifications. Though this position is unclassified, the posted starting salary is equivalent to classified Pay Grade 30, steps 6 to 12. Please contact Recruitment Coordinator for further details.
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Employment Benefits
Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
Sick & Vacation leave
Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
Fitness Centers in select locations
Employee discounts with the STAR Program
Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…
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Position Summary & Responsibilities
Position Summary:
The Director of Employment and Workforce Development provides leadership and strategic direction for all correctional workforce initiatives within the Department of Corrections (DOC). The Director is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive employment pipeline for incarcerated individuals, from intake through post-release, with a focus on career readiness, skill development, and sustainable employment outcomes. This position directly supports the DOC’s mission to reduce recidivism through successful reentry and economic empowerment.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
Career Navigator Oversight:
• Develop a standard operating framework for Career Navigators embedded in each correctional facility and the Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City parole offices.
• Define the scope of services provided by Career Navigators in the facility and after release in the community. These services will include individualized career planning and ongoing guidance, employment skills building and coaching, and reentry employment coordination.
• Provide training, tools, and performance monitoring systems to ensure Career Navigators deliver consistent and measurable outcomes.
• Evaluate Career Navigator effectiveness using KPIs tied to employment and recidivism reduction metrics.

Facility/Parole Support and Work Opportunity Integration:
• Develop a communications plan among facility staff, the local parole office, and employers, to ensure barriers to successful workforce integration are identified and addressed.
• Assist facilities in identifying and expanding Kansas Correctional Industries (KCI) opportunities, private industry employment programs, and work release positions.
• Establish metrics and systems for tracking resident participation and progression in work assignments.
• Facilitate alignment between facility work programs and external career pathways to ensure skill portability post-release.

Employment Tracking and Data Integration:
• Monitor employment status and progression before, during, and after incarceration.
• Partner with data and IT teams to integrate workforce tracking with corrections and reentry data systems.
• Produce regular reports for internal and external stakeholders, highlighting trends, successes, and areas for improvement.

Employer Engagement and Community Partnerships:
• Establish and lead a statewide Employer Engagement Council focused on second-chance hiring practices.
• Cultivate relationships with employers, unions, chambers of commerce, and workforce development boards to increase employment pathways for returning citizens.
• Work with employers to identify skill gaps and design targeted training or credentialing programs within facilities.
• Design and implement employment and training components of the Career Campus initiative, focused on preparing individuals for high-demand occupations.

Apprenticeship and Credentialing Programs:
• Lead the development and expansion of registered apprenticeships within DOC facilities.
• Partner with state and federal workforce agencies to access grant funding and technical assistance.
• Coordinate with industry partners and education providers to deliver industry-recognized credentials that align with apprenticeship pathways.

Other duties as assigned
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Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
One year of experience in planning, organizing and directing the work of a department, program or agency. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.

Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in workforce development, public administration, criminal justice, or related field; experience may be substituted for education as determined by the hiring committee.

Strong knowledge of labor market trends, workforce development, and employer engagement strategies.

Experience working within or in partnership with correctional systems strongly preferred.

Excellent strategic planning, communication, and cross-sector collaboration skills.

5+ years of progressive leadership experience in workforce development, correctional education, or reentry services.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements: Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Must pass a criminal history records check.
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Recruiter Contact Information
Name: Alyssa Cabello
Human Resources - Recruitment Manager
Email: Alyssa.Cabello@ks.gov
• Name: Daniel Cline
Human Resources - Recruitment Coordinator
Email: Daniel.Cline@ks.gov
• Name: Tracy Masters
Human Resources - Benefits Specialist
Email: Tracy.Masters@ks.gov
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Job Application Process
First Sign in or register as a New User.
Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. This information is included on all your job applications.
Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. This information is included on all your job applications.
Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page
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Helpful Resources at *jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"
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Required Documents for this Application to be Complete
Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page
• Tax Clearance Certificate
• College Transcripts (if applicable)
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application
• Cover Letter
• Resume

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents” and “Save Tax Clearance Certificate as a PDF”
Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate Required: Each applicant (even non-residents) applying for a State of Kansas job vacancy must obtain a valid Kansas Certificate of Tax Clearance within 10 days following the offer of employment by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's website. In the event that an individual who has been offered employment cannot provide proof of a tax clearance certificate, the individual will be required to enter into a payment plan with KDOR and remain current on such payment plan or make other arrangements with KDOR to achieve the tax clearance required under Executive Order 2004-03. A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. All applicants, including current state employees, are responsible for submitting a valid certificate to the hiring agency. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact 785-296-3199.
• Visit the Tax Clearance site for more information on and where to obtain this Kansas Department of Revenue document.
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How to Claim Veterans Preference
Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference
• How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612
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Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.

Schedule:
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person