Navigator, Higher Education & Workforce Devel

Illinois Action For Children • Chicago, IL

5d

About The Position

Under the direction of the Manager, ECE Professional Development & Education, the Navigator, Higher Education & Workforce Development is responsible for recruiting and connecting incumbent early childhood care and education workforce members with appropriate Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs at 2- and 4-year institutions to obtain additional degrees, licenses, and credentials and to connect them with ECE Scholarship Opportunities. Navigators will conduct outreach and follow-up activities; will stay abreast of ECE programs offered by 2- and 4-year institutions within their designated Cook County; will support incumbent ECE workforce members in identifying programs that meet their needs; will provide technical assistance on completing the FAFSA, accessing state scholarships and applying to the relevant institution and program.  All work is to be completed with minimal supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement, communication, competent people, and clear priorities – all work to be completed by organizational standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree. Must have at least two years of work experience and training in early childhood care and education, counseling/social work, family support, adult education; OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Access to reliable personal transportation, insurance, a valid driver’s license, and a good driving record are required.  Travel throughout Cook County is required.
• Knowledge of early childhood education programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to connect and build relationships.
• Excellent work ethic and accountability to self and job responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently, with a schedule that may include evenings and weekends.
• Highly organized and attention to detail skills.
• Good writing, editing, and speaking skills.
• Creativity and strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to be flexible in daily activities in response to workforce or institution requests.
• Ability to travel locally and statewide, as needed.
• Bilingual, fluent Spanish and English is required.

Responsibilities

• Plan, publicize, and facilitate a minimum of two (2) general informational/educational sessions on higher education and scholarship, and financial aid processes/opportunities for the incumbent ECE workforce (maybe virtual or in-person).
• Download and follow up on interest surveys in higher education opportunities received by INCCRRA in the assigned Cook County.
• Provide follow-up contact (e.g., email, phone call, ground mail) to 100% of completed surveys.
• Provide support to the incumbent workforce on assessing needs, sharing information, ECE professional development, and connecting them to higher education opportunities through phone calls, email, and in-person/virtual meetings.
• Build relationships with key staff at ECE programs at 2- and 4-year institutions to understand programs and help identify appropriate candidates from the incumbent workforce.
• Collect information on barriers to higher education experienced by incumbent workforce members.
• Participate in required training programs.
• Provide Technical Assistance and Support for individuals seeking a Child Development Associate.
• Work with Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral (INCCRRA) Professional Development Advisors to analyze transcripts and training records of workforce members and provide counseling on appropriate pathways in the Early Childhood field and connect to specific programs.
• Execute our workplace core capabilities: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities.
• Other Functions: The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans with company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401 (k) with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on-35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• STD & LTD insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance

What This Job Offers

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