City of Athens Workforce Development Program

The City of Athens is seeking proposals from qualified recovery service providers to partner in a Workforce Development Program that provides paid, supportive work opportunities within the City of Athens for individuals in recovery.

This program is designed to support long-term recovery, skill development, and community reintegration while advancing City projects. Details about the Workforce Development Program can be found in Exhibit A. Proposals should demonstrate the organization’s experience working with individuals in recovery, providing supportive employment, and managing work crews or service-based programs.

The City of Athens manages an extensive system of parks, trails, natural areas, recreation amenities, and cemeteries. Many needed projects are labor-intensive and well-suited for supervised crews engaged in meaningful, outdoor, project-based work.

The purpose of this program is to create meaningful, paid workforce development opportunities within the City of Athens for individuals in recovery, while simultaneously advancing priority city projects that we are unable to complete without contracted services.

The City anticipates allocating approximately $110,000 over a 3-year period for this program, subject to performance, funding availability, and mutual agreement.

The goals of this partnership include:

• Provide part-time paid, structured work experience for individuals in recovery.
• Build transferable skills (e.g., teamwork, time management, equipment use, customer service, groundskeeping and landscaping).
• Support pathways toward longer-term employment in parks, cemeteries, trades, hospitality, or related fields.
• Reinforce confidence, accountability, and community connection.

The selected service provider will be responsible for recruiting, supervising, and compensating program participants who will perform work on identified and agreed upon projects.

Required Project to complete in year 1

• Cemetery Restoration (Exhibit A)

Other projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Trail building, maintenance, and resurfacing
• Vegetation management and hand clearing along riverfront areas
• Native planting and landscape maintenance along bikeways
• Staffing and operating a city-owned bikeway welcome center
• Maintenance and operation of a miniature golf course
• Maintenance and upkeep of a disc golf course

Project assignments may vary seasonally and annually based on the City’s priorities and participant capacity.

• Identify and prioritize projects annually.
• Define scope, quality standards, and timelines.
• Provide technical training, technical support, expertise, and/or orientation related to specific projects.
• Monitor performance and outcomes.
• Provide tools and training needed to operate tools.

• Recruit eligible participants actively engaged in recovery.
• Provide on-site supervision, transportation, payroll, and workers compensation and liability insurance coverage.
  • On-site supervisor must be CPR/First Aid/AED certified
• Offer supportive services aligned with recovery goals.
• Employ program participants for at least 24 hours/week, no more than 30 hours/week for a period of at least 3 months.
• Track participant progress and program outcomes.
• Provide a semi-annual update of activities.
• Provide an annual report of activities completed to include:
  • Number of participants served annually
  • Hours worked and projects completed
  • Skill development milestones
  • Participant retention and progression

Proposals should describe:

• Eligibility criteria for participants
• Support services provided to program participants
• Work schedules and accommodations that support recovery
• Trauma-informed and recovery-supportive supervision practices
• Safety training and risk management protocols

The intent of the Workforce Development Program is to support funding a 3-year program. Funds allocated in year 1 will be $50,000. In year 2, funding will be $35,000. In year 3, funding will be $25,000.

Proposals must include:

• A detailed budget outlining use of funds
• Wage rates or stipends for participants
• Supervisory and administrative costs
• Any additional leveraged resources or funding

The City of Athens reserves the right to negotiate scope and budget prior to award.

Proposals should be limited to 10 pages and include the following sections:

1. Organizational Overview
   1. Mission and history
   2. Experience working with individuals in recovery
   3. Relevant workforce development or employment programs
2. Program Approach
   1. Description of how participants will be recruited, supported, and supervised
   2. Demonstrate alignment with Workforce Development Program goals
   3. Description of approach to skill development and accountability
3. Project Capacity
   1. Description of experience managing work crews or service projects
   2. Demonstrate ability to perform outdoor, physical, or customer-facing work
   3. Demonstrate ability to complete the Cemetery Restoration project in year 1 (See Exhibit A) and identify at least two additional project areas as outlined in the scope of services in Exhibit A
4. Staffing Plan
   1. Key staff roles and qualifications
   2. Supervisor-to-participant ratios
5. Budget
   1. Detailed annual budget of Workforce Development Program
   2. Prior fiscal year audit
   3. Copy of most recent IRS form 990
6. Evaluation & Reporting
   1. Proposed metrics and reporting methods that will be used to meet the semiannual and annual reporting requirements
7. References
   1. Provide at least two relevant references

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Experience and qualifications of the organization
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed approach
• Understanding of recovery-supportive employment practices
• Capacity to manage projects safely and effectively
• Budget clarity and cost-effectiveness
• Alignment with the City of Athens values and goals

The intent of this program is to award a 3-year contract

• Annual renewal is contingent on performance, submission of semiannual and annual reports, consistent meetings with the City, funding, and mutual agreement.
• Year 1 of the contract begins upon signing final contract agreement.

• Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 pm on May 1 ^st , 2026
• Submission method: email Andy Stone at For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address.
• Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing to Andy Stone by 4:00 pm on April 15 ^th , 2026

The City of Athens reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to negotiate final contract terms. Finalists will be required to participate in an interview prior to award.

Andy Stone, Service Safety Director for the City of Athens

For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address.

740-592-3340

End of RFP

Attachment – Exhibit A: Workforce Development Program

Exhibit A

City of Athens

Workforce Development Program

Purpose

The purpose of this program is to create meaningful, paid workforce development opportunities within the City of Athens for individuals in recovery, while simultaneously advancing priority city projects that we are unable to complete without contracted services.

This proposal recognizes that:

• Meaningful work supports long-term recovery, stability, and community reintegration.
• Parks and public spaces benefit from consistent, hands-on stewardship.
• Long-term investment in people allows for skill-building, continuity, and measurable outcomes.

Long-Term Vision & Sustainability

This program may:

• Expand into additional City facilities and special projects and needs arise that are outside of the City’s capacity to complete without contracted services.
• Create pipelines into seasonal or permanent City positions.
• Serve as a model for cross-sector workforce partnerships.

Program Structure Overview

• The City of Athens will contract with one or more qualified service providers.
• The service provider(s) will:
  • Recruit, supervise, and compensate participants enrolled in their recovery program.
  • Provide supportive services for program participants to be successful in our program such as coaching and accountability.
• City of Athens will:
  • Identify priority projects and desired outcomes.
  • Coordinate work plans, timelines, and standards.
  • Provide technical guidance, training support, and oversight as appropriate.

Funding: Approximately $110,000 over a 3-year period

Duration: After initial 3-year period, options to extend for consecutive 3-year periods up to 15 years.

Goals & Outcomes

Workforce Development Goals

• Provide part-time paid, structured work experience for individuals in recovery.
• Build transferable skills (e.g., teamwork, time management, equipment use, customer service, groundskeeping and landscaping).
• Support pathways toward longer-term employment in parks, cemeteries, trades, hospitality, or related fields.
• Reinforce confidence, accountability, and community connection.

City of Athens Outcomes

• Improve maintenance and stewardship of trails, natural areas, and recreation assets.
• Expand the City’s capacity for projects that are labor-intensive but high-impact.
• Enhance visitor experience through welcoming, well-maintained spaces.

Eligible Project Areas

A. Cemetery Restoration (required) – this will include an upcoming project to restore the existing Mansfield Cemetery and build new trails to access it.

• Headstone and stone wall re-setting
• Vegetation removal and clearing
• New trail construction (hand-built where appropriate).
• Vegetation management along trail corridors.

Skills Developed: Tool use, teamwork, physical endurance, safety practices, environmental awareness.

Other projects that can be completed during the 3-year contract period may vary based on need, season, and participant capacity. Initial focus areas include:

B. Trail Building & Maintenance – this will include an upcoming project to build new trails as well as maintenance of existing trails.

• New trail construction (hand-built where appropriate).
• Trail resurfacing, drainage improvements, and erosion control.
• Vegetation management along trail corridors.

Skills Developed: Tool use, teamwork, physical endurance, safety practices, environmental awareness.

C. Riverfront & Natural Area Restoration – this will include a one-time overhaul and seasonal maintenance thereafter.

• Hand grubbing and clearing invasive or overgrown vegetation.
• Improving access and sightlines along the river corridor.
• Supporting ecological restoration efforts.

Skills Developed: Environmental stewardship, plant identification, land management techniques.

D. Native Planting & Bikeway Corridor Enhancements – this will include a one-time overhaul of an identified location and seasonal maintenance thereafter.

• Native plant installation and maintenance.
• Trail-adjacent landscape care.
• Litter abatement and beautification along the bikeway.

Skills Developed: Horticulture basics, seasonal work planning, long-term site care.

E. Bikeway Welcome Center Operations – seasonal or year-round.

• Staffing a city-owned welcome center building several days a week/weekend.
• Greeting visitors, answering questions, providing maps and information. Visitor maps and information will be provided by Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau. City information will be provided by the City.
• Light facility maintenance and upkeep of the office/welcome center area.
• Renting outdoor equipment.

Skills Developed: Customer service, communication, responsibility, hospitality operations.

F. Miniature Golf Course Operations & Maintenance – seasonally (March through October)

• Daily upkeep of the course and surrounding areas.
• Operating the facility during open hours.
• Supporting basic customer interactions and transactions (as appropriate).
• Renting equipment.

Skills Developed: Facility operations, customer service, cash handling (if applicable), teamwork.

G. Disc Golf Course Maintenance – seasonally (March – October)

• Tee pad and basket area maintenance.
• Vegetation management along fairways, tee pads, and baskets.
• Course cleanliness and minor repairs.

Skills Developed: Outdoor maintenance, project-based work, independent task completion.

Roles & Responsibilities

The City of Athens will:

• Identify and prioritize projects annually.
• Define scope, quality standards, and timelines.
• Provide technical training, technical support, expertise, and/or orientation related to specific projects.
• Monitor performance and outcomes.
• Provide tools and training needed to operate tools, as well as necessary materials

The Service Provider will:

• Recruit eligible participants actively engaged in recovery.
• Provide on-site supervision, transportation, payroll, and workers compensation and liability insurance coverage.
  • On-site supervisor must be CPR/First Aid/AED certified
• Offer supportive services aligned with recovery goals.
• Employ program participants for at least 24 hours/week, no more than 30 hours/week for a period of at least 3 months.
• Track participant progress and program outcomes.
• Provide a semi-annual update of activities
• Provide an annual report of activities completed to include:
  • Number of participants served annually
  • Hours worked and projects completed
  • Skill development milestones
  • Participant retention and progression

Budget Framework

Annual funding may be used for:

• Participant wages
• Supervisory staff time (through the recovery provider)
• Required training and certifications
• Transportation and Administrative costs (within agreed limits)

Termination and Non-Renewal

The City reserves the right to terminate this Agreement or decline to renew the contract at the end of any contract term if the Service Provider fails to meet program expectations, contractual obligations, or performance standards, as determined by the City.

Such determination may include, but is not limited to, failure to:

• Provide agreed-upon services or staffing levels
• Maintain adequate supervision and participant support
• Meet safety, insurance, or compliance requirements
• Demonstrate progress toward agreed-upon program goals and outcomes
• Submit required reports or documentation in a timely manner
• Use funds in accordance with the approved budget and contract terms

Non-renewal may occur without cause, at the City’s sole discretion, provided the City gives written notice prior to the end of the contract term.

Performance Improvement Opportunity

Prior to termination for performance-related issues, the City may, at its discretion, provide the Provider with written notice of deficiencies and a reasonable opportunity to remedy such deficiencies within a specified timeframe. Failure to remedy deficiencies may result in termination or non-renewal.

Renewal

Contract renewal is contingent upon satisfactory performance, available funding, and alignment with departmental priorities. The City is under no obligation to renew the Agreement beyond the initial contract term.

Termination by the City

The City may terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part, for convenience upon written notice to the Provider. In such event, the Provider shall be compensated only for authorized services satisfactorily performed up to the effective date of termination.

Termination by Provider

The Service Provider may terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the contract term upon written notice to the City, in accordance with notice requirements outlined in the contract.

In the event of early termination by the Provider, any unexpended or uncommitted contract funds must be returned to the City within 60 days of the termination effective date. The City reserves the right to request documentation verifying expenditures made prior to termination.

Return of Unused Funds

Any contract funds that are not expended in accordance with the approved scope of work and budget, or that remain unused at the end of the contract term or upon termination, shall be returned to the City within the timeframe specified by the City.

Failure to return unused funds may result in disqualification from future contracting opportunities with the City.