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.