Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from Illinois Action for Children
Job overview
The Specialist, Workforce Grant supports the implementation of the Smart Start Workforce Grant by assisting licensed childcare programs with outreach, technical assistance, and grant application processes to meet statewide goals.
Responsibilities and impact
The role involves conducting outreach to childcare providers, assisting with grant applications, providing technical support, maintaining records, collaborating on outreach strategies, submitting reports, and attending professional development events.
Compensation and benefits
The position offers health, dental, and vision insurance with 95% company contribution for single coverage, 401k with company match, generous PTO increasing with tenure, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, short and long-term disability insurance, and company-paid life insurance.
Experience and skills
Requires a bachelor's degree and at least two years of experience in early childhood education, workforce development, or grant implementation; must have reliable transportation and a valid driver's license; preferred bilingual skills in Spanish, Polish, or other languages; strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential.
Career development
Opportunities include professional development through training events and workdays, with potential growth in workforce grant management and early childhood education support roles.
Work environment and culture
The company fosters a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture focused on accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement, and clear priorities, with a passionate team driven by a mission to support families and communities.
Company information
Illinois Action for Children is a mission-driven organization focused on organizing and supporting families and communities to improve outcomes for children, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Team overview
The Specialist reports to the Workforce Grant Manager and works collaboratively with the team to plan outreach and meet grant deliverables.
Job location and travel
The position is located in Uptown, Chicago, with a hybrid work environment and requires local and statewide travel as needed.
Unique job features
The role is distinguished by its focus on supporting licensed childcare providers through a state-funded workforce grant program, involving both in-person and virtual engagement and a strong emphasis on community impact and continuous improvement.
Company overview
Illinois Action for Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting early childhood education and care. They make money through a combination of government funding, grants, and donations. Founded in 1969, the organization has a long history of advocating for policies that benefit children and families, providing resources such as child care assistance, early learning programs, and family support services. Their mission is to ensure that every child in Illinois has access to quality early childhood education and care.
How to land this job
Tailor your resume to highlight experience with early childhood education, workforce development, or grant implementation, emphasizing skills in outreach, technical assistance, and grant application support as outlined by Illinois Action for Children.
Showcase your organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple deliverables, especially related to data tracking and reporting, which are critical for the Workforce Grant Specialist role.
Apply through multiple platforms including the Illinois Action for Children corporate website and LinkedIn to maximize your application visibility for this position.
Connect with current employees in the Workforce Grant division at Illinois Action for Children on LinkedIn, using ice breakers like commenting on recent organizational initiatives or asking about how they support licensed childcare providers with the Smart Start Workforce Grant.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating key phrases from the job description such as 'outreach,' 'technical assistance,' 'grant application,' 'data tracking,' 'early childhood education,' and 'workforce development' to ensure your resume passes initial screenings.
Leverage Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate applying through multiple channels, tailor your resume with relevant keywords, and identify LinkedIn contacts for networking, allowing you to focus more on preparing for interviews and other job search activities.
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