Candidate Coordinator - Diverse Male Teacher Initiative

Job Description

Job Description

Reports to: Program Director, 
GYO-IL Diverse Male Teacher Initiative

Supervision: None

Location: Chicago, IL

Status:                  Full-Time, Hybrid

Pay Range: $55,000–$70,000

Organization Overview

Grow Your Own Illinois (GYO-IL) recruits, supports, and prepares individuals from underrepresented communities to become and thrive as licensed teachers. We envision an Illinois teacher workforce that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of its students and is rooted in their communities. To achieve this, we provide candidates with financial and academic assistance, social-emotional support, and culturally sustaining professional development. Our teachers—and the students, schools, and neighborhoods they serve—are all strengthened by this process. To learn more visit: growyourownteachers.org

This is a full-time hybrid position with regular in-person responsibilities. Office location T.B.D. Regular travel throughout Illinois, including occasional evening, weekend, and overnight travel, is expected for recruitment, candidate support, and community engagement.

Position Summary

The Candidate Coordinator is a member of the Diverse Male Teacher Initiative (DMTI), which is aims to increase the number of diverse males entering the teaching profession. Alongside the Program Director and another Candidate Coordinator, the role will primarily focus on providing personalized advising and support to DMTI cohort members. Approximately 75% of the role comprises candidate advising, cohort meeting support, and participant follow-up.

The remaining 25% of the role focuses on supporting DMTI’s ongoing recruitment efforts across Illinois -- identifying and engaging prospective candidates, participating in recruitment events, and building relationships with community organizations and other potential recruitment partners, with particular emphasis on Central and Southern Illinois. The Coordinator will work collaboratively with the DMTI team and GYO-IL staff to identify and advance promising partnership opportunities.

Advising
The Coordinator will be assigned up to 30 candidates, including both current and new DMTI participants, and will assist monthly meetings which support their professional growth and overall well-being. The Coordinator will help candidates navigate key milestones along their pathway into teaching, identify barriers to persistence, and connect candidates with appropriate GYO-IL and partner supports.

Recruitment Recruitment enables DMTI’s broader effort to build a strong, sustainable pipeline of prospective male teachers. The Coordinator will identify potential candidates, conduct outreach, and participate in recruitment events. As part of targeted recruitment, the Coordinator will prioritize relationship-building opportunities with NAACP chapters, community colleges, and other identified partners in targeted areas across Central and Southern Illinois, while supporting recruitment in other communities as opportunities arise. Rather than own these efforts independently, the Coordinator will collaborate with both GYO-DMTI and GYO-IL partnership development staff. 

Core Responsibilities

Candidate Advising and Cohort Support

• Advise and maintain regular communication with an assigned group of DMTI participants as they explore teaching and progress from community college toward bachelor’s degree completion and teacher preparation.
• Support candidates with community college application and enrollment, transfer planning, financial aid, admissions, educator preparation requirements, and other key academic milestones.
• Identify barriers to persistence and connect participants to GYO-IL and partner resources, including tutoring, counseling, case management, and financial supports.
• Collaborate with the Program Director, other Candidate Coordinator, and college partners to support participant engagement, monthly cohort activities, transitions, and follow-up.

Recruitment and Pipeline Development

• Conduct ongoing outreach and recruitment to identify prospective DMTI participants and strengthen the program’s statewide candidate pipeline.
• Prioritize outreach opportunities with NAACP chapters, community colleges, and community partners in Central and Southern Illinois, while pursuing other high-potential opportunities as they arise.
• Represent DMTI at information sessions, college campuses, conferences, community events, and partner meetings; organize recruitment events and presentations as needed.
• Help cultivate initial relationships with prospective partners, identify opportunities for collaboration, and coordinate handoff to the Program Director for deeper partnership development and formalization.

Data, Tracking, and Team Support

• Maintain accurate and timely information on prospective and active candidates in GYO-IL’s data systems, including recruitment activity, application progress, enrollment, engagement, and participant outcomes. Training on GYO-IL data systems and processes will be provided.
• Maintain documentation related to candidate supports and contribute information needed for program, grant, and organizational reporting.
• Share candidate updates, emerging needs, recruitment insights, and opportunities with the DMTI team and support additional team priorities as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, higher education, community development, social work, public administration, communications, or a related field
• Three (3) or more years of relevant experience in student recruitment, college access, workforce development, academic advising, community engagement, or a related field
• Ability to work collaboratively with community colleges, four-year institutions, community organizations, school districts, NAACP branches, and other statewide partners
• Experience facilitating adult training and presentations

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years of experience in advising community college students, including familiarity with transfer, educator preparation, or teacher licensure pathways
• Five (5) or more years of experience with community-based recruitment, outreach, or partnership development with mission-driven organizations, particularly in Central or Southern Illinois
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding educational opportunity and increasing the representation of community-connected men of color in the educator workforce.

Competencies

• Strong relationship-building, interpersonal communication, presentation, facilitation, and organizational skill
• Strong written communication, documentation, and basic data management skills
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout Illinois and work occasional evenings or weekends; valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, or ability to travel independently
• Passion for supporting non-traditional teacher candidates from racially diverse communities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams)

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range is $55,000–$70,000, based on experience and qualifications. Benefits are subject to change and currently include: 15 days of PTO; 12 paid sick/wellness days; 10 holidays; office closure from December 24–January 1; medical, dental, and vision insurance; basic life insurance; a 403(b) with 3% match; an Employee Assistance Plan; and professional development.