Program Coordinator IDHS Initiatives

Program Coordinator IDHS Initiatives

Estimated Start Date: March 2024

Position Scope:  The Program Coordinator IDHS Initiatives is a full-time, grant-funded position that supports the development and delivery of the Chicago Jobs Council’s Capacity Building programming  and reports to the Program Manager, IDHS Initiatives.  This position is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations of a training and technical assistance program for IDHS SNAP and other Employment & Training providers throughout Illinois. These activities include organizing training sessions; coordinating with consultants, facilitators, vendors, etc.; managing evaluation tools and analyzing data. 

Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is a workforce development intermediary that keeps jobseekers at the center of all we do. CJC advocates for jobseekers, by researching current pressing matters for the field, develop recommendations and share them broadly to create systemic change. CJC builds capacity for the workforce development field, by developing curriculum that’s offered through trainings, cohort learning and leadership academies based on our research of best practices. CJC influences City, State and Federal Policies related to increasing funding for our public workforce system, creating equitable pathways and eliminating barriers to employment.

Our Mission: Together with community and institutional leaders, Chicago Jobs Council is re-imagining our workforce system so all people can thrive through employment.

Our Vision is to create an anti-racist workforce development system and employment equity so that everyone can realize their unique pathway out of poverty.

Our Capacity Building Work: Backed by 40 years of expertise and having worked with more than 4,000 workforce professionals from 700 different organizations, we’re building the capacity of the workforce development field to address the larger economic system and to center those most impacted by systemic racial injustice. CJC works with non-profit leaders, funders, service providers, and government agencies to build the tools and resources needed to help marginalized workers change their economic conditions. How we do it: 

• Learning & Development: Through public and customized training resources, learning cohorts, and communities of practice, CJC cultivates an environment where workforce development professionals can learn and share their best practices in the field.

• Research & Innovation: Through engagement with members and partner organizations, CJC keeps a pulse on important themes and trends, connecting the dots to develop curriculum, tools, and resources that advance the workforce development field.
• Changing Systems: Through partnerships with community and systems leaders, CJC engages with stakeholders to facilitate changes that lead to a more equitable workforce development system. Learn more about our SNAP and TANF E&T Initiative. 

Duties and Responsibilities for the Program Coordinator IDHS Initiatives

• Project Management: Coordinate day-to-day logistics of all training sessions; arrange pre- & post-training materials, communications, and data collection efforts; and support the recruitment and coordination of guest speakers, facilitators, and other content experts.

• Advisory Group logistics: Coordinate logistics for program Advisory Group meetings; assist with communication with participants before and after; arrange location and refreshments; take notes; prepare materials; and support any follow-up needed.

• Data Collection & Evaluation: Lead the design and implementation of training evaluation tools; monitor training performance goals and outcomes; create metrics dashboards; generate and report on outcomes and performance; and assist with grant reporting, as needed.

• Administrative: Create and manage contracts with external facilitators, consultants, and partner organizations; coordinate and track payments and invoices; maintain accurate and timely records for expenses, attendees, program meetings, and program documentation; assist with program reporting; and provide administrative support to the Capacity Building team, as needed. 

• Technical Assistance: Provide ongoing technical assistance by responding to information requests from providers, administrators, funders, and other stakeholders; and provide technical support for in-person and virtual trainings.

Requirements for the Program Coordinator IDHS Initiatives

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to the advancement of the CJC’s organizational mission and the goals of the program.

• Passion for CJC’s core values: value every voice, find bold solutions, act with understanding, build connections, and work with intention.
• Commitment to continuous improvement (i.e. generate or support ideas to improve efficiency, effectiveness).
• Possesses self-starting work habits (sees what needs to be done without being told) that demonstrate a clear understanding of CJC’s priorities and one’s own job responsibilities, while at the same time being open to receiving and following through with direction.
• Participates well in a team including listening to and respecting team members’ ideas, willingness to provide backup on other team members’ projects, display of adaptability when a change is made, and open to incorporating team feedback on work.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to cultivate relationships with a diverse group of individuals participating in CJC program activities, as well as with other stakeholders.
• Possesses self-confidence, including a belief in one’s ability to accomplish a task and select an effective approach to a task or problem, confidence in one’s own decisions or opinions, reflects on lessons learned from failures and successes.
• Has patience and a non-judgmental attitude.

Skills

• Clear, concise, and persuasive communication skills (written, verbal, listening).
• Excellent organizational and time management skills that allow for the handling of multiple and competing priorities while meeting short- and long-term deadlines.
• Strong creative problem-solving skills including adaptability and flexibility in identifying new strategies to achieve a goal.
• Exceptional critical thinking and analytical ability; demonstrated ability to balance creativity and logic when making decisions after adequately contemplating various courses of action and collection of facts.
• Ability to work with multiple data and information sources and communicate about it with colleagues.
• Attention to detail and excellent follow through.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, etc.), G Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, etc), web-based survey tools, online database, and website management (or demonstrated ability to learn quickly).

Experience

• Successful meeting/event planning and/or project management experience.
• Data analysis experience is a plus (i.e. developing data collection and evaluation tools, identifying, interpreting, and reporting trends, etc.).
• Experience making decisions and taking responsibility for project outcomes.
• Experience working in organizations with programs that impact people living in poverty, particularly in the area of workforce development.
• Minimum post-secondary education; degrees or certifications related to education, training, counseling, and/or social work preferred.

Compensation and Application Information

The Program Coordinator IDHS Initiatives position is full-time, exempt with a $53,000 annual salary and excellent benefits. 

CHICAGO JOBS COUNCIL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. CJC is committed to building an

inclusive staff and strongly encourages applications from individuals of color, people with disabilities, individuals with diverse backgrounds, and those whose life experience is underrepresented in employment programs and policies.

CJC recognizes that systemic, institutional and individual racism creates disparities in the way people of color fare in the labor market. We are continuously working to review and update our practices, policies, and procedures using a racial equity lens in order to achieve more equitable outcomes for all.

Illinois is an at-will employment state.