ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Manager, ECE Professional Development & Education, the Navigator 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. Navigator 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 satisfied with minimum supervision and by organization 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The organization reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. 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).
2. Download and follow-up on interest surveys in higher education opportunities received by INCCRRA in assigned Cook County.
   1. Provide follow-up contact (e.g., email, phone call, ground mail) to 100% of completed surveys.
3. Provide support to the incumbent workforce on assessing needs, sharing information, and connecting them to higher education opportunities through phone calls, email, and in-person/virtual meetings).
4. 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.
5. Collect information on barriers to higher education experienced by incumbent workforce members.
6. Participate in required training programs.
7. Execute our workplace core capabilities: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities.
8. Provide Technical Assistance Support for individuals seeking a Child Development Associate.
9. Work with INCCRR 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.
10. Provide outreach, support, and technical assistance for potential and eligible providers for the Smart Start Workforce Grant.
11. Other Functions: The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

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.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• 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 local and statewide, as needed.
• Bilingual, fluent Spanish, Polish, and speakers of other languages are preferred.

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiassed and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.
• We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental and vision insurance plans with company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k 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

Location: Uptown

Salary 48,200 - compensation commensurate with experience

The position currently offers a hybrid work model, including days onsite and remote

IL Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.