Career Navigator - Community Employment

Aspire Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspire Chicago is recruiting a Career Navigator to customize and deliver curriculum that prepares students for competitive integrated employment. You will provide hands-on instruction in workplace skills, partner with Transition Coaches to align career goals, and help students develop individualized strategies and career plans.

In this role, you will assess student skills, track progress, and maintain documentation while applying evidence-based teaching practices in classroom and simulated

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required; Special Education preferred.
• Minimum two years of work experience in a classroom setting.
• Experience designing evidence-based, multi-modal curricula for diverse needs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; advanced Excel skills with formulas, charts, and pivot tables.
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record; QIDP certifications preferred; DSP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate training of simulated work and soft skills development for career readiness.
• Implement evidence-based teaching practices and differentiated instruction.
• Develop curricula in program areas to meet standards and norms.
• Prepare lesson plans and training schedules.
• Coordinate with Transition Coaches to assess student interests, goals, and skill needs.
• Assess students on hard and soft skills; track growth and areas for development.
• Create and score outcome measurements and tools.
• Maintain knowledge of effective teaching tools and methodologies.

Skills

Effective communication

Multitasking

Record keeping

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Special Education background

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel (formulas, graphs, pivot tables)

Job description

Description

Empower Independence. Build Community. Change Lives.

About Aspire

Since 1960, Aspire has been creating boundless opportunities for people with disabilities. We believe in working together to pursue greater possibilities, foster meaningful connections, and build communities where everyone belongs. Every member of our team plays a role in advancing this mission!

This Career Navigator role customizes and delivers curriculum to prepare students to learn the skills needed to attain competitive integrated employment. The Career Navigator provides hands-on instruction and essential workplace skills such as customer service, team work and time management. In partnership with the Transition Coach, the Career Navigator connects job opportunities with Aspire’s job seeks and collaborates with each student to create career goals and individualized strategies, building practical, industry-relevant skills that support success.

What You\'ll Do

• Facilitate the training of both simulated work and soft skills development related to career readiness.
• Implement evidence-based teaching practices such as parallel instruction, monitoring teachers, and differentiated split class.
• Develop curricula in program areas to meet specific standards/norms.
• Prepare lesson plans and training schedules.
• Partner with Transition Coaches to evaluate/assess each student for interests, dreams, goals, skill strengths and areas of skill development.
• Assess each student on hard and soft skills. Track areas of growth and areas of need.
• Create and score outcome measurements and tools.
• Maintain knowledge of most effective teaching tools and methodologies related to industry standards and best practices.

Career and Goal Support

• Develop plans and recommendations for student career goals.
• Maintain familiarity with industry standards and implement accordingly.
• Transport students as needed according to schedule.
• Assist with onsite job experiences within Aspire’s setting and office at community employer locations.

Communication and Collaboration

• Ensure proper record documentation; complete and monitor student goal tracking
• Communicate concerns to appropriate interdisciplinary team members to support individual needs, goals and growth.
• Attend professional development sessions.
• Complete all paperwork and assignments accurately and in a timely manner
• Progress and collaboration with students and their support teams for effective personal development planning.
• Serve as the content expert/training as assigned.
• Comply with quality and compliance initiatives and protocols.

Who You Are

• An effective communicator with strong oral and written communication skills, able to communicate across all levels of the organization.
• Able to maintain confidentiality while demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
• Skilled at building trusting, courteous, and tactful relationships with students, team members, families, and outside organizations.
• Organized and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities, multi-task, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records.
• A collaborative team member who can work with others toward shared, common goals.
• Committed to supporting students in developing career readiness, workplace skills, and individualized career goals.
• Comfortable facilitating training in classrooms and simulated work environments using effective teaching tools and methodologies.
• Able to assess student strengths, areas of need, interests, dreams, and goals and translate them into individualized strategies and career goals.
• Adaptable and able to remain calm and supportive in an environment with frequent interruptions and distractions.
• Dedicated to continuous learning, professional development, quality and compliance initiatives, and delivering effective support to students.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required, Special Education preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years of work experience in a classroom setting.
• Experience designing evidence-based, multi-modal learning curricula for audiences with diverse needs
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office. Strong Excel skills (including formulas, graphs, and pivot tables), ability to become familiar with emerging programs and software.
• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record, required.
• QIDP certified or certification eligible, preferred.
• DSP certification, preferred.
• Experience working directly with adults with developmental disabilities, preferred.

Why Aspire?

• Make a direct, visible impact on people\'s lives every day.
• Help students build practical, industry-relevant skills that support success in competitive integrated employment.
• Collaborate with Transition Coaches, students, support teams, and community employers to create meaningful career outcomes.
• Join a mission-driven organization focused on growth, innovation, and inclusion.
• Help individuals build confidence, develop workplace skills, and achieve meaningful, self-directed employment goals.

Salary Description $24.00/hour