Director of Career and Technical Education

Company: Grace Place for Children and Families
Location: Chicago
Posted on: May 19, 2025

Job Description:

Position: Director of Career and Technical EducationReports to: Chief Program Officer
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Supervisory Responsibility: Internship Specialist, Career SpecialistsOur Mission: Grace Place puts faith into action providing pathways out of poverty by educating children and families.
Summary/Objective:The Director of Career and Technical Education works to provide leadership programmatic and administrative support to ensure the career readiness of the Grace Place students. The includes but is not limited to the elementary school program STEM Lab, the middle school program Choice Academies, and the high school program TechWorks and Internship programs.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Program Implementation
• Create an annual program plan to ensure that all students are receiving access to the career readiness curriculum (K-12)
• Provide staff training on experiential learning best practices (K-12)
• Provide staff training on proper use of STEM equipment (K-12)
• Keep inventory of all high asset STEM equipment (K-12)
• Observe and provide coaching for all staff delivering STEM content (K-12)
• Create experiential learning curriculum to support career readiness goals
• Ensure that daily lessons are aligned with career readiness indicators (K-12)
• Ensure that students create a career plan and have a pathway to earn micro credentials and certifications (6-12)
• Work to place Grace Place students in internships both at Grace Place and elsewhere (11-12)
• Create and implement a summer entrepreneurship event for all summer camp participants.Volunteers and Partnerships :
  • Develop and maintain relationships with industry partners to inform curriculum and skills development
  • Develop and maintain relationships with industry partners to provide students with career mentors
  • Develop and maintain relationships with industry partners to provide student internships/apprenticeships
  • Train and support volunteers who deliver career-related programmingOutcomes :
    • Elementary students will gain STEM skills using the Cal Ripken, Sr. STEM Lab
    • Middle school students will gain exposure to high demand careers and build industry specific skills and competencies in durable skills
    • High school students will create a career plan, earn micro credentials and certificates
    • All students will gain experience with entrepreneurship through the summer program.
    • Organizational
    • Serve as a member of the organization's staff leadership team (SLT)
    • Work on cross departmental teams to plan All Staff trainings and eventsQualifications:Education:
      • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required
      • Degree in education or related field is preferred
      • STEM education and/or Career and Technical education endorsement is preferred
      • DCF Childcare Credential required (within 1 year of employment)Experience:
        • Minimum of five years of experience working in education or youth development
        • Supervisory experience preferredKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
          • Bi-lingual skills preferred (English/Spanish or English/Haitian Creole)
          • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
          • STEM content knowledge
          • Technical skills such as programming, robotics, 3D modeling, AI, etc.Physical Requirements:
            • This role requires flexibility to work across multiple sites with varying physical environments. Responsibilities include bending, sitting, standing for extended periods, and occasionally lifting objects weighing up to 40 lbs as needed
              
              Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
              
              Grace Place values diversity in the workplace and among our partners and other stakeholders.
              
              It is the policy of Grace Place to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants on the basis of experience, training, education, and ability to do the available work without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This policy relates to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in all company sponsored employee activities. Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity, or age limitations will be adhered to by Grace Place where appropriate.
              
              Employees and applicants shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation or any type of retaliation because they have (1) filed a complaint; (2) assisted or participated in an investigation, compliance review, hearing or any other activity related to the administration of any federal, state or local law requiring equal employment opportunity; (3) opposed any act or practice made unlawful by any federal, state or local law requiring equal opportunity; or (4) exercised any other legal right protected by federal, state or local law requiring equal opportunity.
              
              The above-mentioned policies shall be periodically brought to the attention of supervisors and shall be appropriately administered. It is the responsibility of each supervisor at Grace Place to ensure affirmative implementation of these policies to avoid any discrimination in employment. All employees are expected to recognize these policies and cooperate with their implementation. Violation of these policies could be considered a disciplinary offense.
              
              
              Disclaimer:
              
              This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
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Keywords: Grace Place for Children and Families, Mount Prospect , Director of Career and Technical Education, Executive , Chicago, Illinois