Assistant Director, Non-Traditional Jobs Program

Heartland Community College • Normal, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Heartland Community College seeks an Assistant Director to lead and manage its Non-Traditional Jobs Program. This grant-funded, full-time position oversees program planning, recruitment, participant services, workforce bootcamp implementation, and employer and community partnerships. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and community partners to meet program goals, comply with grant requirements, and support participants’ persistence, completion, and transitions to further education, training, or employment.

The position introduces participants to Career and Technical Education programs through classroom, laboratory, and experiential learning. It also develops and facilitates a 6–8 week workforce bootcamp covering career exploration, workplace readiness, employability skills, and technical career pathways. The role provides individualized career coaching and educational and employment planning, monitors participant progress and outcomes, coordinates referrals and follow-up support, maintains accurate records and performance data, evaluates program effectiveness, and prepares required reports.

The position is based in Central Illinois and requires an on-campus, in-person presence. Employment is contingent upon continued grant funding. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer; visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an appropriate combination of education and experience in education, workforce development, counseling, human services, social work, Career and Technical Education, or a related field.
• Work experience in education, workforce development, training, student support, or a related field, including responsibility for coordinating programs or projects.
• Ability to work effectively and inclusively with individuals from diverse academic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills and ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Functional skills with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to maintain confidential participant information and accurate program records.
• Ability to be present on campus and work in person in Central Illinois.
• Authorization to work for any employer in the United States; employment visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Experience administering grant-funded programs, including performance monitoring, compliance, and reporting.
• Experience in Career and Technical Education, workforce training, or programs supporting entry into non-traditional occupations.
• Experience providing career coaching, case management, or student support services.
• Experience developing employer and community partnerships and coordinating services across departments.
• Familiarity with data collection, analysis, reporting, and participant tracking systems.
• Familiarity with Illinois workNet, ONET, Career Link, or similar workforce resources.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of the Non-Traditional Jobs Program, introducing participants to Career and Technical Education programs through classroom, laboratory, and experiential learning activities.
• Oversee participant recruitment, screening, interviews, eligibility verification, enrollment, and onboarding in accordance with grant requirements.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the 6–8 week workforce bootcamp with faculty and staff, coordinating instructional schedules, facilities, materials, and logistics.
• Facilitate bootcamp programming and provide instruction in career exploration, workplace readiness, employability skills, and technical career pathways.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with employers, community organizations, workforce agencies, and College departments to support career exploration, workplace experiences, and connections to further education, training, and employment.
• Provide individualized career coaching and educational and employment planning, including coordinating resume development, job applications, interview preparation, and participant support services.
• Monitor participant progress, attendance, and outcomes; identify barriers to success; coordinate referrals to College and community resources; and provide follow-up support to promote persistence and completion.
• Maintain accurate participant records and performance data, evaluate program effectiveness, and prepare required reports while ensuring compliance with grant requirements, funding agency guidelines, and College policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager