Join Skookum and make a difference! Skookum is:

A national leader in employment of individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Comprised of a growing dynamic team of social entrepreneurs.

Operating self-sustaining businesses across 13 states and the District of Columbia, with over 1,300 employees.

Dedicated to providing incredible customer experience to our federal and private-sector customers.

Committed to providing an incredible employee support and development program, tailored to the social mission.

Skookum’s Bremerton, Washington Home Office supports nationwide operations through highly trained and motivated professionals in finance, human resources, vocational and workforce development, information systems, strategy, business development, communications, marketing, quality, safety, learning, and more.

Location: Bremerton, Washington (In-person)

Type: Exempt

Compensation: $78,250 - $105,500 / year (Skookum's compensation strategy is to position new employees between the minimum and midpoint of this range, depending on qualifications and experience.)

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm (flexible start and end times depending on scheduling needs)

As a Technical Trades WorkForce Development (WFD) Manager, you'll develop a strategic Trades and Manufacturing WorkForce Development Program to support all our Total Facility Maintenance and Manufacturing sites and facilities in but not limited to – Washington, Virginia, Maryland, Kansas, New Mexico, Alaska and Colorado. Build out partnerships with local WFD organizations in locations where we have contracts and/or facilities. Find technical college and high school programs that we can support through scholarship programs and direct funding for specific program needs. Create internship programs for students interested in trades or manufacturing who are attending these colleges and high schools. These internships could be with Skookum or other aligned businesses.

Develop and maintain a robust skills center and training program in partnership with local high schools, community and technical colleges, workforce associations and councils and local trades/maintenance businesses within Kitsap County.  This program will serve Kitsap County residents and Skookum employees from other states.   The Technical Trades WFD Manager will be well connected in the Kitsap Community and have a deep understanding of trade-related certifications and pre-apprenticeship paths and opportunities.  The Technical Trades WFD Manager will work on securing outside grant funding with partner agencies that can be utilized to build a skills center/technical training program in Kitsap County. The focus of this facility will be on facility maintenance skills to include: general maintenance, carpentry, HVAC, basic plumbing and electrical work.

In Kitsap County, partner with other agencies to build a skills-based trades classroom which will host hands-on classes and summer youth academies. This will entail finding the appropriate space in Bremerton and overseeing the building and outfitting of a hands-on classroom.

Coordinate efforts with Olympic College, ANEW, WestSound Tech, Kitsap Building Association and others to expand the trades WFD possibilities in Kitsap County. This will include seeking grants in partnerships with the above organizations. 

Work in partnership with AJAX to build out manufacturing summer academies and apprenticeship programs in Auburn and Spokane counties. 

Hire and supervise skilled trades instructors and oversee the scheduling of classes that can support up to 50 individuals per month.

Create trades hands-on curriculum that caters to individuals with learning disabilities.

Take the Kitsap Trades Skill Center concept to other Skookum sites around the state and country.  Identify local workforce agencies and technical colleges for potential partnerships to encourage more people to enter the trades.

Build out internships at our total facility maintenance sites for youth and young adults who are connected to the local county workforce development entities.  Understand how to make these internships work in conjunction with unions.

Build partnerships and collaborate with Skookum’s unions.

Partner with Skookum’s Community Employment Services Director to serve 11th and 12th grade youth in the public-school systems with the goal to promote the option of going into the trades or manufacturing as viable careers. 

Work closely with Skookum operational leadership (executives and site managers) to ensure that technical training local partnerships are developed to meet the needs of each Skookum operation.

Work closely with Skookum Career Advisors to ensure Employee Career Plan (ECP) processes are linked to technical training opportunities as they are developed.

Work closely with Skookum’s EHS Director and Training Manager to ensure that safety training is fully integrated into the technical training approach

Work closely with Skookum’s Training Manager to integrate technical training aspects into Skookum’s New Hire Orientation and Onboarding processes

Develop positive working relationships with Skookum’s Vocational Specialists across all sites to ensure that employee vocational needs and learning styles are integrated into technical training efforts at each site

Assist with the oversight of a multi-million-dollar budget to fund the Trades/Manufacturing program. 

Chair a Skookum committee that focuses on investing funding external workforce development entities.

Serve on local workforce development committees external to Skookum such as the West Sound Tech Advisory board and the Kitsap Building Association WFD Committee.

Occasional travel out-of-state to support technical training partnerships at Skookum sites. 

Build curriculum that accommodates people with learning disabilities. 

Apply strategic systems thinking and develop innovative, customized approaches for Skookum.

*Other duties/projects as assigned.

You'd make an excellent Technical Trades WFD Manager if you:

Consider yourself a people person.

Love working on collaborative teams.

Are dedicated to internal and external customer service.

Take pride in your work.

Are drawn to serving others and want to challenge yourself through mission-driven work.

Skookum is proud to offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package to our eligible part-time and full-time employees.

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Short-Term Disability Insurance

Elective 401(k) retirement plan with a 3% employer discretionary contribution after 90-days of employment

Flexible Spending Accounts for both medical and dependent care

11 paid federal holidays, accrual of 12 paid days of vacation at the start of employment, paid sick leave

Potential shared earning bonus

Tuition assistance is available after 1 year of employment and potential scholarships for qualified dependents

Professional development, certifications, and training opportunities

Verizon wireless discount

Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and an engaging wellness program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for full-time employees

Summary of desired skills and experience for the Skookum Technical Trades WFD Manager:

High school diploma/GED or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing and Trades or Construction Management is preferred

5 – 8 years of previous experience in HVAC, Construction, Electrical, Plumbing and/or General Facility Maintenance is required.

Preferred Journeyman’s level in at least one skilled trade related area.

Previous experience teaching trades and/or facility maintenance related curriculum is preferred. Previous experience in a skilled trade required.

Experience in Community Workforce Development is preferred.

Equivalent combination of experience and education will be considered.

A valid state driver’s license is required with the ability to obtain and maintain coverage by Skookum’s insurance.

Must be able to obtain and maintain applicable security clearances and installation access. A background check and E-Verify will be conducted for this position.

To Apply: Visit our website at www.skookum.org to complete an application.

Current Employees: need to log into their Workday to apply through the Jobs Hub. Please reach out to your Recruiter if you need assistance.

Skookum is a national non-profit, government contractor that is dedicated to “Creating Opportunities for People with Disabilities” through hiring and supporting individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. We take pride in our mission-focused culture, our Core Values, Diversity, Partnership, Commitment, Integrity, and Quality, and our dedication to providing a safe and respectful work environment to our employees.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Skookum is here to help you with the recruitment process. 

If you require an accommodation or support, please contact us at

(360) 475-0756 ext. 349, or email recruiting@skookum.org.

Skookum is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minority/Veteran/Disabled - Skookum participates in E-Verify