Outreach and Enrollment Specialist, Climate and Environmental Jobs Act (CEJA)

About the role

Full‑time, grant‑funded position (through June 30 2027) in the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Division, Professional Staff Association (PSA), grade J. Salary: $57,000 annually. Located in Rockford, Belvidere, and Freeport; hours may include evenings and weekends. Reports to the CEJA Training Director; may supervise interns and student workers.

Responsibilities

• Conduct CEJA outreach events, presentations, and activities to share information on training and careers in the energy industry with diverse populations, ensuring communication and marketing reach underserved areas.
• Create partnerships with regional educational institutions, community organizations, local employers, and labor unions to connect with eligible individuals.
• Raise awareness of CEJA workforce programs in the region by providing information to organizations, individuals, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain outreach and recruitment strategies, materials, presentations, and communications to support CEJA enrollment goals and reach eligible populations.
• Provide appropriate referrals for individuals to training programs and assist in navigating the enrollment process for all CEJA‑related programs.
• Coordinate participant intake, eligibility documentation, enrollment, orientation, and onboarding for CEJA training programs.
• Maintain regular communication with applicants and prospective participants throughout recruitment, eligibility, enrollment, and training.
• Manage applicant pipelines, referrals, waitlists, and cohort enrollment to support timely placement of eligible participants into training opportunities.
• Maintain accurate participant records and reports, including eligibility documentation, case notes, attendance, training progress, completion information, participant services, and other required program documentation in compliance with program requirements.
• Share responsibility with CEJA program staff for maintaining complete and accurate participant records and ensuring required documentation is collected throughout the participant’s participation.
• Monitor participant attendance, engagement, and progress during training and provide timely follow‑up when concerns arise.
• Provide ongoing participant support throughout training, including identifying barriers to participation and connecting individuals with appropriate wraparound services and resources.
• Coordinate participant attendance verification, stipend documentation, and other records necessary to support timely and accurate stipend processing.
• Assist with the coordination of training cohorts, including participant communications, orientations, schedules, training calendars, materials, and communication with instructors and training providers.
• Assist with the purchasing and procurement of program supplies, external vendors, training materials, participant supports, equipment, and other items necessary for CEJA program operations.
• Coordinate purchase requests, vendor information, quotes, receipts, and supporting documentation in accordance with College and grant requirements.
• Coordinate the distribution and documentation of participant‑related supplies, materials, equipment‑or supportive‑service items as applicable.
• Coordinate with community organizations, workforce partners, CEJA partners, and training providers to ensure participant referrals are completed and services are coordinated.
• Support participant retention through regular communication, problem‑solving, referrals, and coordination with instructional and program staff.
• Track participant completion and transitions to employment, apprenticeship, additional education, or other workforce opportunities.
• Collaborate with employer engagement and placement staff to support participants in transitioning from training to employment and provide information necessary for placement and follow‑up activities.
• Assist with tracking and reporting program outcomes, including recruitment, enrollment, attendance, participant services, training completion, and employment outcomes.
• Establish positive rapport with individuals and partner agencies in the community.
• Show acceptance and flexibility when dealing with persons from disadvantaged social, economic, and educational backgrounds.
• Maintain confidentiality and strong ethical practices while working with participants.
• Consistently demonstrate ability to work and communicate with a variety of audiences including partners and program participants through electronic, written, and spoken means.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications: Associate degree OR a professional state licensure/credential with a minimum of two years of experience in education, social services, public service, workforce development, or community‑based programming. Valid driver’s license. Working knowledge of various clean energy fields preferred. Demonstrated ability to work with individuals with barriers to employment and understand and communicate with diverse groups. Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Work environment: Primarily office‑based; regular interaction with a diverse staff and partners to ensure appropriate and effective services.

Physical demands: Representative of those needed to perform the essential functions of the job with