Career Navigator - Community Employment

Aspire Chicago; Hillside (NJ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Paid Time Off

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

Job summary

Aspire Chicago is seeking a Career Navigator to customize and deliver curriculum that prepares students for competitive integrated employment. You will provide hands-on instruction in workplace skills such as customer service, team work, and time management.

In collaboration with Transition Coaches, you will support students in forming career goals and individualized strategies, building industry-relevant skills for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required.
• Experience designing evidence-based learning curricula for diverse needs.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office; strong Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate training of simulated work and soft skills for career readiness.
• Implement teaching practices and develop curricula meeting standards.
• Collaborate with Transition Coaches to assess students’ interests and goals.
• Transport students as needed per schedule.
• Assist with onsite job experiences at community employer locations.
• Maintain accurate records and progress tracking.
• Serve as content expert and ensure quality and compliance.

Skills

Communication

Curriculum Development

Student Support

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Special Education preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

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

Instruction

• 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.

Full-Time Benefits

(for employees regularly scheduled to work 37.5+ hours per week)

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Options
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time)
• 13 Paid Holidays
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Match
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Insurance