IT Workforce Development Specialist

The IT Workforce Development Specialist oversees and supports program participant training and certification in CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ to maintain a highly skilled and compliant IT workforce. Top candidates will be energetic, committed to individual and social change, and willing to assist in all aspects of executing our classroom job readiness program and participant placement and retention goals. The ideal candidate will have experience in group facilitation, working 1- on-1 or in small groups with marginalized populations, and cultural sensitivity in working with diverse populations. Finally, the IT Lead will be passionate about engaging adult learners through interactive and well-structured lessons and developing curriculum. Growing Home is a USDA-Certified Organic urban farm in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago that uses urban farming as a vehicle for paid job training for individuals with barriers to employment. Individual barriers for program Production Assistants (“PAs”) may include prior contact with the criminal justice system, barriers related to living near or below the poverty line, or lack of traditional market economy work experience. RESPONSIBILITIES Oversee and support training and certification for CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+. Develop training plans and track certification progress for technical staff and trainees. Coordinate and perform website updates and content maintenance Manage IT projects, upgrades, and system implementations. Develop and enforce IT policies, procedures, and security standards. Monitor system performance, troubleshooting, and issue resolution. Manage IT budget, vendors, licensing, and asset inventory. Ensure compliance with cybersecurity, data protection, and regulatory requirements. Provide leadership in incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning. Initiate survey and certificate for all training sessions after course completion in coordination with clients. Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of all training programs and maintain records of all resource allocation and provide support to all internal and external customers. Troubleshoot all technical issues (i.e. internet issues, desktop/laptop issues, printer issues etc.) Perform data entry and Generate reports in Growing Home’s CRM (Salesforce) Conduct staff training and educate them on Growing Home’s CRM and use multiple desktop applications and software such as Microsoft Office and other desktop programs. Stay current with system information, changes and updates Help update training manuals for new and revised software and hardware Develop and cultivate long-term professional relationships with employers, placement agencies, and temporary agencies to ensure consistent contact for job leads. Make presentations to businesses within the Chicagoland area to promote Growing Home’s workforce development programs and to develop new employment opportunities for program PAs and graduates. Identify job opportunities and match employer and participant’s interests, needs, skills, and experience. Make contact with employers (existing employer relationships, employer networks or associations, cold calls, online, and other workforce development programs) Coordinate with PAs and graduates to schedule interviews Follow-up on interviews with PAs and employer Develop and implement strategies aimed at helping graduates keep their jobs, including but not limited to: Weekly and Monthly in-person check-ins with jobholders Connect job holders with emergency support services (such as car repairs or child care issues) Support hiring managers with on-the-job issues Assist with employment readiness training, job search assistance, and obtaining permanent, unsubsidized jobs in high-demand industries. Assist in office support tasks and operations as needed Assists in the coordination of events Assists with Board liaising as needed Assists with employer cultivation as needed Performs other duties as assigned Other: As needed, assist with Growing Home open houses and events, which may include night or weekend hours Assist in the collection of appropriate pictures, videos, and stories for social media SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience). Minimum 4 years of IT management or supervisory experience. Strong knowledge of networking, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure. Experience supporting user environments across hardware, software, and network systems. Demonstrated leadership, communication, and project management skills. Experience with classroom or with group facilitation required Demonstrated ability to teach adults Comfortable working directly with marginalized populations; ability to engage with individuals in an authentic and nonjudgmental manner Outstanding written and verbal communication skills required; ability to engage Great organizational and time management skills; ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in decision-making Professional computer skills required, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite required, proficiency in Salesforce or related CRM a plus Ability to work some evenings and weekends Some travel for meetings and retention duties will be required. Must have an aptitude and willingness to navigate public transportation throughout the greater Chicago area, or a valid driver’s license with reliable personal transportation. Preferred Certifications CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ (required or preferred) ITIL, CISSP, or similar (a plus) Preferred Skills Team leadership and staff development Cybersecurity and risk management Vendor and budget management Policy development and compliance Training program coordination Physical Work Environment Ability to lift up to 25-30 lbs. Occasional after-hours support for system upgrades or emergencies. In addition to base wage, Growing Home offers a competitive benefits package. #J-18808-Ljbffr Growing Home Inc.