CTE Grants Coordinator and Program Navigator - Grant Funded

McHenry County College•Crystal Lake, IL

About The Position

The CTE (Career and Technical Education) Grants Coordinator and Program Navigator administers the Perkins, REACH, and ROOTS grants. The role includes preparing grant applications, budgets, and reports in collaboration with the Grants team and supervisor; tracking grant activities and spending; supporting grant-related purchasing; maintaining grant documents and data; and attending Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) trainings and meetings. The Coordinator also supports students in REACH- and ROOTS-eligible healthcare programs, from recruitment through graduation, employment, or transfer. Responsibilities include managing scholarship applications and disbursements, advising and coaching an assigned student caseload, developing academic plans with students, monitoring progress, connecting students to campus and community services, and implementing and assessing retention initiatives. The position is grant-funded and works a 40-hour workweek with a flexible schedule to meet department needs, including evenings and weekends. Additional hours may be required. ICCB meetings may involve out-of-district travel and overnight stays.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent.
Ability to learn technological applications.
Commitment to and respect for diversity and to effectively serving underrepresented student populations.
Self-motivated and self-directed, with the ability to work independently.
Excellent organization and coordination abilities.
Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Excellent customer service skills.
Ability and willingness to remain current on social and higher education issues affecting students, colleges, communities, and underrepresented groups.
Ability to determine an approach to work based on guidelines.
Ability to work in a dynamic environment and respond sensitively to changing goals, priorities, and needs.
Ability to assess situations and bring them to the immediate supervisor appropriately.
Ability to gather, analyze, and evaluate a variety of data.
Ability to provide updates to senior managers or community groups and organizations.
Ability to work under pressure, handle change, and manage complex or stressful situations with relative ease and professionalism.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and ongoing projects.
Ability to travel to various locations for program activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a higher education or community college setting.
Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Bilingual Spanish/English language skills.
One year of experience in a related field.

Responsibilities

Draft grant applications, budgets, and reports for Perkins, REACH, and ROOTS according to established timelines.
Compile and gather data; host meetings or events to collect feedback; and compose, proofread, disseminate, and update information in various formats.
Track progress on grant activities and spending, propose alternate activities or spending, and support budget modification requests.
Support purchasing for grant activities, including equipment, supplies, and contractual services.
Create and maintain grant-related documents, such as forms, presentation materials, meeting agendas, and minutes.
Enter data and extract information from the College’s ERP and other software or systems to generate reports.
Build working relationships with relevant MCC departments and external navigators to carry out grant duties and support students.
Stay current with grant guidance.
Participate as needed in recruitment events related to REACH and ROOTS and follow up with students afterward.
Develop and implement the scholarship application process and disburse scholarship funds.
Manage and coach an assigned student caseload using an intrusive advising model, with intentional and meaningful contact.
Meet with students through scheduled appointments, drop-in visits, and email, serving as a central support contact for students pursuing approved REACH or ROOTS healthcare certificates or degrees.
Co-construct short- and long-term academic plans with students.
Monitor and discuss student progress toward academic and career goals, identify challenges, and refer students to campus and community wraparound services.
Conceptualize, implement, and assess retention initiatives.
Maintain accurate tracking data and notes for assigned students, including scholarship disbursement information.
Attend grant meetings required by the ICCB, including travel as needed.
Assume additional duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.