Education & Workforce Development Navigator

Higher Education & Workforce Development Navigator – CCR&R

Non-Exempt, FT

$45K-$53K

4

Youth & Family Potential

Child Care Resource & Referral

Training & Professional Development Associate Director – CCR&R

The Higher Education and Workforce Navigator – CCR&R serves as liaison with respect to program/agency initiatives, and provides technical, professional and programmatic guidance, consultation, and support to constituencies as appropriate. Position requires a maximum understanding of the larger implications of higher education as it relates to early care and education. Primary focus will be to support and connect early care and education professionals with higher education institutions.

This position is responsible for recruiting and connecting potential and current early childhood care and education workforce members with appropriate professional development opportunities, Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs at 2- and 4-year institutions to obtain additional degrees, licenses, and credentials and to connect them with the best ECE pathway.

The Higher Education and Workforce Development Navigator – CCR&R manages relationships with the potential and current ECE professionals, programs, key stake holders at higher education institutions, other YWCA staff members; and community representatives.

Work closely with Training and Professional Development Associate Director and Family and Youth Potential leadership team to review, track, and support educational needs of early childhood workforce. Build awareness of opportunities and pathways to higher education and funding opportunities available to childcare providers and programs in DuPage, Kane, and Lake Counties. Assists in identifying, recruiting and connecting incumbent early childhood care and education workforce members with appropriate Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs at 2- and 4-year institutions.

Plan, publicize, and facilitate general informational/educational sessions on higher education and scholarship opportunities and grant opportunities for ECE workforce members and ECE programs in diverse communities. Serves as primary point of both internal and external representation and liaison with respect to program/agency initiatives, and provides technical/professional and programmatic guidance, consultation, and support to client constituencies as appropriate. Use appropriate judgment in upward communication regarding client or member concerns.

Collect information on barriers to higher education experienced by workforce members. Provide support on assessing needs, sharing information, completing applications, and connection to higher education opportunities through phone calls, email, in-person / virtual meetings. Collect, analyze and evaluate barriers; organize, interpret and present it in meaningful oral or written form for varied audiences and provide solid analysis leading to sound decision-making.

Issue reports of all findings on an ongoing basis and provides systematic follow up to all program functions.

Assist with managing and updating the internal training spaces within the office. Ensuring areas are cleaned and organized with all materials needed.

Participate in administrative and program meetings and trainings as appropriate to stay informed on priorities, raise issues and provide feedback.

Other duties outside of the responsibilities of the position may be assigned, whether for a project, special needs task or other assignment.

The position requires the ability to problem solve and…