Director - Job Placement Services (Grant-Funded)

DIRECTOR - JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES - TAKING BACK THE TRADES (Grant Funded)

OLIVE-HARVEY COLLEGE

Since 1911, City Colleges of Chicago has been connecting students from across Chicago’s neighborhoods to economic opportunity. By offering a quality education at an unprecedented value, City Colleges provides our students and alumni with a pathway to upward mobility. City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity—empowering its students to take part in building a stronger and more just city. As Illinois’ largest community college system, City Colleges is comprised of seven colleges and five satellite sites across Chicago.

The Taking Back the Trades program supports and enrolls under- or un- employed 16-24 year old Chicago residents in certificate training programs leading to employment in high-skilled, high-wage, and in-demand occupations. Programs at Olive Harvey College (OHC) include Aviation Technology, bike repair, drone training, forklift, and Clean Energy positions. The program also supports eligible High School students at CCC colleges enrolled in Aerostar aviation programs.

This position is expected to be grant-funded through June 30, 2027.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to an assigned administrator, the Director - Job Placement Services – Taking Back the Trades (Grant Funded) performs a range of job development and placement activities to assist students with identifying, preparing for, securing and persisting in employment suitable for their job skills and qualifications in aviation, bike repair, drones, and Clean Energy, as well as creating summer internships and connections to One Summer Chicago and other youth employment opportunities.

The Director - Job Placement Services works with key stakeholders in providing job readiness skills to assist students in seeking employment; develops relationships to position CCC as a talent pipeline for employers and to secure guaranteed open job roles for program completers; and maintains job placement and retention data for required reporting.  Serves as main lead of on-off campus, weekday/evenings, and weekend career/hiring events.  Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Program Administration

• Works with district and college administrators and relevant stakeholders to meet program objectives.

• Monitors and oversees services provided by workforce organizations to ensure contract and scope of work are adhered to and objectives are achieved.

• Participates in Taking Back the Trades Program strategy and data meetings with relevant stakeholders.

• Coordinates the provision of wrap-around services and activities to support job placement services and assist students with the job search process, working with college administrators, relevant partners, and local workforce organizations.

• Plans and organizes career fairs, field trips, and other activities to engage potential and current students with an interest in completing certificate training programs.

• Participates in providing job readiness workshops to students in areas to include: job search process, resume writing, effective interviewing, and soft skills development;

• Collects and tracks student job placement and retention data. Compiles data and prepares reports regarding job development and placement efforts.

Job Placement Services  

• Identifies and establishes working relationships with local and regional employers to develop job leads for Taking Back the Trades training programs.

• Solicits and obtains employers’ interest in recruiting, interviewing, and employing students completing a certificate training program as part of the Taking Back the Trades program.

• Maintains a database of job leads and potential employers.  Informs students of job opportunities and connects them with suitable employment opportunities.  

• Researches job market to remain abreast of industry trends and employment demand for skilled technicians and workers in occupational/vocational fields.

• Networks with professional/community organizations involved in job placement activities.

• Markets and promotes the program’s certificate training programs to employers, and the availability of students with the training and skills needed to meet their employment needs.

• Plans, organizes, and executes on- and off-campus job fairs and employer engagement events to expose employers to CCC facilities and programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

• Five years of experience in a workforce development program or similar type of work setting, providing services in the areas of career advising or coaching, job development, or job placement.  

• Work experience in an academic setting highly desirable

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills

• Ability to work with and relate to a culturally diverse student body, faculty, and staff

• Ability to work effectively with different levels of staff within the organization

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Must be able to handle all situations with tact, persuasiveness, and diplomacy

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook)

Salary: $81,085 - $89,193.50

Offered salary will be determined by the respective collective bargaining agreement and applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Benefits information is found at https://www.ccc.edu/departments/Benefits/

This position is represented by the Local 1600 professional union. 

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire. 
We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. 
Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago!