PRIDE Program Coordinator (Contract)

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking a Civil Service Program Coordinator to lead the PRIDE initiative within the Office of Workforce Development. This role supervises trainers and support staff, liaises with DCFS and partner agencies, and drives program improvements and reporting within the LMS framework.

The position entails statewide travel with a hybrid work arrangement and a salary in the mid-60k range, reflecting civil service norms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years in education, training or work experience in child welfare and/or foster care.
• Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience.
• Project management experience.
• Training experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned projects and oversee program schedules.
• Supervise trainers and staff, provide coaching and feedback.
• Liaise with DCFS and private child welfare agencies.
• Coordinate curriculum updates with DCFS vendors and trainer teams.
• Ensure LMS data collection, reporting, and trainer billing.

Skills

Leadership and team management

Organizational and problem-solving

Customer service and communication

MS Office & Zoom proficiency

Data reporting and analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Job description

Office of Workforce Development

School of Social Work

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Located in Chicago, IL

Job Summary

Work closely with the PRIDE Program Administrator to support program goals, ensure high-quality service delivery, and maintain the effectiveness and integrity of the PRIDE program. Oversee assigned projects, manage continuous quality improvement activities, and support core program operations. Supervise trainers and support staff, act as a liaison between PRIDE, DCFS, and private child welfare agencies, and, in collaboration with the Senior Statewide Director of Workforce Development, provide program leadership coverage in the Program Administrator's absence.

Duties & Responsibilities

Project Management & Program Support

Manage assigned projects to ensure timely completion, providing regular updates to the program administrator. In collaboration with Training Coordinators, oversee program schedules and trainer assignments. Support the PRIDE program’s use of technology and the Learning and Development Center (LDC) for data collection and reporting.

Administrative and Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise a team of trainers and support staff, ensure effective workflow and provide coaching, observation, and feedback to trainers. Serve as a liaison with DCFS, private child welfare agencies, and other stakeholders, attending and presenting at meetings as needed. Approve trainer billing, tracking and/or approving staff time off and reviewing and approving travel justifications. Ensure the program’s accurate completion of registration and attendance reports, manage the PRIDE shared email mailbox, and promptly follow up on inquiries. In the absence of the Program Administrator, act as the program lead, including providing short-term supervision as needed to Training Coordinators. May co-facilitate training sessions when programmatic staffing needs require it. Facilitate regularly scheduled trainer staff development opportunities and events, reviews training performance, data trends and outcomes, curriculum and trainer facilitation strengths, and areas needing improvement.

Collaboration and Curriculum Updates

Collaborate with other Workforce Development Programs, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and DCFS vendors to coordinate curriculum updates and other projects. This includes working with trainers and curriculum designers on needed curriculum updates and supporting effective caregiver training. Ensure a varied representation of trainers in curriculum update workgroups.

Technical and General Support

Provide participants, trainers, and licensing workers with general support for navigating PRIDE program trainings within the Learning Management System (LMS) used by DCFS. Collaborate with other Workforce Development program leadership to store, periodically review and update PRIDE caregiver curricula in alignment with Workforce Development processes and procedures. Monitor the LMS registration/attendance report to ensure trainer compliance with attendance tracking and managing data points for reporting training outcomes. Utilize university systems to monitor and approve trainer billing and manage staff time off hours as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

Perform other duties as assigned, which are within the scope of the responsibilities enumerated above. This may include supporting the PRIDE program leadership team during absence of other PRIDE leadership positions.

• Statewide travel is required.

Work Schedule, Travel, or Other Job Expectations

Statewide travel is required

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree. Three (3) years in education, training and/or work experience in child welfare and/or foster care. Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience. Project management experience. Training experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree. Proficiency in technology, familiarity with Learning Management Systems, knowledge of Power BI, Excel, and other data management software, tracking, and reporting tools. Three (3) or more years of experience overseeing, managing, or supervising direct foster care operations. Three (3) or more years of experience as an Illinois PRIDE trainer.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of foster care practices in Illinois. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with an ability to exercise independent judgment and make effective decisions. Excellent customer service interpersonal skills, effective communication, and the ability to follow instructions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams) and Zoom, skilled in managing PDFs with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Skilled in data entry and managing workflows to meet deadlines efficiently.
• Leadership and team management skills with skills in strategic planning, generating analytical reports, and engaging stakeholders, and adaptable in high-pressure environments with competing priorities.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 - Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search posting closes. The budgeted salary range for this position is $65,000-$66,500. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization. Hybrid work options may be available for this position with the ability to be on-site as needed per the University's Workplace Flexibility Policy.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx .

About the University

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .