Staff Interview Topic Guide

Job Corps Evidence Building Portfolio Project

Topic Guide for Staff and Partner Interviews

Construct	Staff and Partner Interview Topics
Staff Characteristics and Background	Job title Roles and major responsibilities Staff background, including relevant prior work experience
Staffing	Staffing structure Staff caseload sizes Staff hiring timeline Staff qualifications, selection and training Staffing shortages and staff turnover Performance measures for staff Professional development Staff meetings Partners and role of partners in program delivery
Program Planning and Design	Why grantee applied for funding Key staff involved in the pilot planning period Key design decisions made during the demonstration pilot planning period and rationale Involvement of employers, partners and other community organizations in the planning process Decision making process and the role of organization leadership in deciding to apply Barriers to applying for funding posed by organization leadership
Program Goals	Reasons for developing the program Goals for the program, including changes over time Hypothesized impacts on target population (immediate, short-term, long-term) Comparisons of program to programs with similar goals
Recruitment, Intake and Admissions	Enrollment targets Progress towards enrollments and completions Program outreach/recruitment practices Eligibility/ suitability requirements and screening Assessments/ placement exams Enrollment process Probational or trial period Orientation/ onboarding Use of cohorts Characteristics of applicants
Education Services and Academic Supports	Academic planning/ goal development Secondary Education (HSD/GED) services, included those offered through grantee or partner Postsecondary academic services and supports (e.g. General education college courses, developmental education, supports for English Language learners) Academic assessment activities Academic supports (e.g. tutoring, study hall, test prep) Monitoring academic progress (e.g. academic improvement plans)
Career and Technical Training	Types of services/ programs available (credentials), including development and selection Structure of training tracks, including how instruction is delivered, and length of training Employer and industry partnerships in developing training, delivery, and employment Career and technical training assessment activities Eligibility, selection and enrollment into training tracks Career and technical training supports (e.g. tutoring, study hall, test preparation) Monitoring progress on training tracks (e.g. academic improvement plans)
Personal and Career Counseling Services	Structure of counseling services, including frequency, dosage, format Counseling practices and strategies Case conferencing and monitoring of progress Mentoring and coaching Peer supports
Employment Services	Career readiness services (e.g. career exploration, resume building, Job search assistance, job shadows, and interview training) Structure of counseling services, including meeting frequency, length, format Work-based learning (Apprenticeships/ on-the-job training/ internships/ job shadowing) Job development and employer engagement Placement activities
Post-separation services	Contacts with staff during follow up period, including mode, method and purpose Job search assistance Job placement activities Post-placement retention and advancement services Continuing education and training support and placement services Military placement services Support services (transportation assistance, housing assistance, etc.)
Support services	Life skills training (financial counseling, study skills, soft skills) Mental health and wellness services Transportation assistance Food assistance/ Meals Stipends/ cash assistance employment policies during program participation Supports for parenting participants Housing assistance On-campus housing Off-campus housing Referrals to other organizations and services provided through referral Technological supports
Student life/ Culture and Climate	Behavioral management system Disciplinary policies and practices Rewards and recognition system/ practices (incentives) Monitoring practices (attendance) Factors driving student retention/separation Retention strategies and practices Integration of pilot participants with broader college population Family and parental engagement
Partnerships (including community organizations, employer, education and industry)	Organization name Position in organization Nature of partnership Historical relationship with demonstration pilot Length of partnership Type of arrangement: Contracts, MOUs, type of contracts Coordination: staff responsible, regular meetings, data exchange Changes in partnership over time Services provided to staff and participants in the demonstration pilot Experience with demonstration pilot program staff and students
Budget and Funding	Sources of funding for program Uses of funding Other sources of support for participants (e.g. Pell, local and state funding) In-kind supports Adequacy of resources and funding gaps
Data Collection	Data collected on participation in services and outcomes Data collected from program partners Data sharing between partners Measures for tracking program performance Information collected from participants about their program experiences Use of data to inform program activities Recent trends in the performance of the program
Program context and environment	Grantee background Grantee history Annual number of participants served overall Previous major sources of funding Current and previous partnerships with Job Corps Current and previous programs serving young people and Job Corps-eligible population Current and previous programs offering short-term credentials and occupational training Geographic area served (e.g. size and characteristics of service area) Effect of demographic, economic, or social forces on demonstration pilot operations Local economic conditions (e.g. major industries, recent economic trends, other factors that affect economy) Area demographics (e.g. education levels, race and ethnicity, income, and changes in demographics over time) Influence of other systems/ Participant involvement with other public system (e.g. TANF, Section 8) Other state or community organizations providing similar services Effects of similar services on demonstration pilot services
COVID-19	Best practices and lessons from start-up period Program adaptations due to COVID-19 Perception of COVID-19’s effects on service delivery and quality of service (short-term and long-term)
Operational Challenges and Successes	Ways program has exceeded or fallen short of goals Program’s key successes and what contributed to success Challenges encountered and how they were addressed Areas for improvement Any plans for changes and modifications

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