Once again, Frederick is front and center - creating new workforce initiatives that will draw nationwide attention! Created by the Office of Opportunity and Transformation (OOT), the City-wide program helps experienced professionals reenter the workforce. Each placement will be hosted in a different department, giving participants a chance to contribute their skills while exploring local government.
The first placement is in the City’s Department of Economic Development (DED), supporting the City’s work in growing Frederick’s economy and helping local businesses thrive.
Each returnship is six months, part-time, and competitively paid, offering structure and support to step back into a career. Applicants need a minimum six-month gap on their resume, but the program welcomes individuals at all stages of their careers. Participants can refresh skills, build professional relationships, and use the role as a bridge to a permanent position elsewhere.
“We are thrilled to welcome Carol to our economic development team. This role offers an exciting opportunity for her to reconnect with the workforce, build meaningful community connections, and gain first-hand experience with the vibrant and diverse business community here in Frederick,” shared Mary Ford-Naill, Manager of Economic Development.
Carol Park, Project Coordinator, DED
Carol Park
Carol Park fills the first Returnship position as a Project Coordinator with the City’s Department of Economic Development.
Carol brings diverse professional experience, including roles as an office manager for a family-owned online retail business, a business assistant and Latin teacher at a K-12 private school, and a decade of administrative support at a patent law firm. She holds two master’s degrees in Biblical languages and Ancient Near Eastern studies and is a certified Level 1 Kingian Conflict Reconciliation Nonviolence trainer. A longtime volunteer with a passion for learning and creative thinking, Carol is also an avid reader and writer who enjoys fantasy, science fiction, and tabletop gaming.
The need is clear. Maryland saw the steepest drop in workforce participation among mothers of elementary-aged children during the pandemic, more than any other demographic. Source In 2019, about 90 percent were in the labor force. By 2020, that fell to roughly 74 percent, a 16-point drop and the largest decline in the nation. Many of these women, along with others who have taken career breaks, are finding it challenging to reenter the workforce and regain momentum in their careers.
“Frederick is ready to lead by example, proving that career breaks do not have to be career endings,” stated Ericka Rohrbaugh, Manager of the Office of Opportunity and Transformation. “With OOT standing up the program and DED hosting the first participant, the city is building pathways for residents, strengthening City departmental relationships, and creating opportunities that benefit the whole community.”
In 2023, the City of Frederick was one of 16 cities nationwide selected to participate in The Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy - a year-long program led by the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Labor to help cities create comprehensive plans to help people find good jobs and build successful careers.
The program’s goal was to help cities like Frederick develop plans to improve job opportunities for residents, focusing on high-quality jobs and sustainable employment. The two resident groups we focused on were young people (ages 14-24) and disconnected adults. The returnship position is just one of several initiatives underway at the city to address the workforce needs of the community.
To learn more about workforce initiatives within the City of Frederick, reach out today and we will connect you! Call 301.600.6360 today!
