Program Specialist - CE Career Training - Part-Time

Harper College•Palatine, IL

About The Position

Responsibilities Supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of noncredit courses and programs by facilitating operational workflows, entering and maintaining class schedules in the enrollment management system, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. Provides guidance to students on course options that align with their goals and works collaboratively with employers, subject matter experts, and community members to identify training needs. Maintains day-to-day operations for a portfolio of on-site, online, and hybrid workshops, courses, and programs aligned with workforce and community needs, including technology and classroom coordination, participant support, and reporting. Monitors enrollment trends and implements outreach strategies to maximize registration and minimize course cancellations. Identifies and works with subject matter experts to guide them through the development of new programs that are aligned with employer-identified skills, credentials, and pathways to living-wage careers. Provides program participants with information on funding opportunities, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), internal and external grants and scholarships; seeks additional funding sources to enhance student success and program growth. Stays informed about all Community Education career training offerings in areas such as Technology, Business, Healthcare, and Manufacturing; phases out offerings that no longer serve the college community. Ensures a positive student experience throughout registration, course participation, completion, badge/credential awarding, and ongoing communications. Represents Community Education at events, meetings, and community activities to promote programs and recruit students (some evening and weekend participation required). Recruits and recommends qualified instructors for hire and maintains ongoing contact to coordinate scheduling and course delivery. Responds to student inquiries, requests, and complaints with professionalism, empathy, and excellent customer service. Ensures compliance with college safety policies and procedures, clearly communicating with staff, instructors, and students. Develops and updates outreach materials, including email and text messages, flyers and brochures (using Canva), social media content, and collaborating with the Web Team to keep website content and online forms updated. Coordinates book inventory, supplies, and equipment, ensuring materials are purchased, stored securely, and available to students and/or instructors as needed. Participates in campus committees, professional development, and training programs as requested. Performs other duties as assigned. Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: Work is primarily indoor and sedentary in nature. This position is part-time (up to 25 hours per week). Some evenings and Saturdays are required. The primary job location is the Harper Professional Center (HPC) in Schaumburg with occasional travel to the main campus in Palatine and the Learning and Career Center (LCC) in Prospect Heights. Equipment/Tools Used: Utilizes standard office equipment. Software used includes Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, Webex, FormStack, Banner, and event-scheduling tools.

Requirements

Demonstrated working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required.
Minimum of two years office or program coordination experience in Higher Education required
Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, and evaluating educational or training programs for adult learners.
Strong organizational, problem solving, and analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a strong commitment to customer service, including serving individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment.
Experience facilitating or coordinating training programs for adults.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree preferred.
Experience in Continuing Education preferred.
Bilingual proficiency preferred.

Responsibilities

Supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of noncredit courses and programs by facilitating operational workflows, entering and maintaining class schedules in the enrollment management system, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
Provides guidance to students on course options that align with their goals and works collaboratively with employers, subject matter experts, and community members to identify training needs.
Maintains day-to-day operations for a portfolio of on-site, online, and hybrid workshops, courses, and programs aligned with workforce and community needs, including technology and classroom coordination, participant support, and reporting.
Monitors enrollment trends and implements outreach strategies to maximize registration and minimize course cancellations.
Identifies and works with subject matter experts to guide them through the development of new programs that are aligned with employer-identified skills, credentials, and pathways to living-wage careers.
Provides program participants with information on funding opportunities, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), internal and external grants and scholarships; seeks additional funding sources to enhance student success and program growth.
Stays informed about all Community Education career training offerings in areas such as Technology, Business, Healthcare, and Manufacturing; phases out offerings that no longer serve the college community.
Ensures a positive student experience throughout registration, course participation, completion, badge/credential awarding, and ongoing communications.
Represents Community Education at events, meetings, and community activities to promote programs and recruit students (some evening and weekend participation required).
Recruits and recommends qualified instructors for hire and maintains ongoing contact to coordinate scheduling and course delivery.
Responds to student inquiries, requests, and complaints with professionalism, empathy, and excellent customer service.
Ensures compliance with college safety policies and procedures, clearly communicating with staff, instructors, and students.
Develops and updates outreach materials, including email and text messages, flyers and brochures (using Canva), social media content, and collaborating with the Web Team to keep website content and online forms updated.
Coordinates book inventory, supplies, and equipment, ensuring materials are purchased, stored securely, and available to students and/or instructors as needed.
Participates in campus committees, professional development, and training programs as requested.
Performs other duties as assigned.