Job Description

INTERESTED CANDIDATES : Please send resume and brief statement of interest to hiring manager Sheila Fenn at sfenn@bigshouldersfund.org

Job Title: Career and Technical Education Specialist

Reports to: Assistant Director, Scholar Access and Support

Date: September 2025 - This is a grant-funded two-year term position with the potential for continuation contingent on successful grant renewal.

Status: This position will be hired at .4 FTE with an average of 16 hours per week and a salary range beginning at $30K.

Special Note: Significant experience in or strong knowledge of career and technical training, trades, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, or related fields

• Retirees from any of these fields – especially those who also have experience in education - are strongly encouraged to apply

Big Shoulders Fund

Big Shoulders Fund is an independent tax-exempt charitable organization that provides support to schools with demonstrated need which provide a quality, values-based education for children. We serve 25,000 students and 90 schools in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana regions. Each school is a vital community-based organization and an anchor to its surrounding neighborhoods.

For thirty-nine years, Big Shoulders Fund has helped Chicago’s children achieve their dreams through access to high quality education. Of the 25,000 students we serve, 83% identify as people of color and 69% reside in low-income households. We expand access and outcomes by investing more than $40 million annually in scholarship support and enrichment programming for students; operational improvements for schools; cultivation of talent pipelines for school personnel from new teachers through veteran principals; and professional development and support for educators and leaders – all with the goal of not just strengthening schools, but whole communities, while preparing students for life-long success. To that end, 80% of scholars matriculate to college and students earn a degree at two times the national average. Latino and Black scholars graduate at three-times and four-times their counterparts, respectively, and graduates go on to vote, contribute, and participate at greater rates than local and national outcomes.

In 2019, Big Shoulders Fund began an exciting new chapter in Northwest Indiana by making a long-term commitment to The Region. Since then, we have worked to bring our unique approach to building the capacity of local school communities to best serve students and families of Northwest Indiana, with special focus on areas of greatest need: Gary, Hammond and East Chicago. The long-term goals of our efforts include elevating the quality of values-based schools in Northwest Indiana through: academic investments, instructional and data coaching; marketing and outreach efforts; and enrichment and summer programs to expand opportunities for students. While some roles on our staff focus exclusively on Northwest Indiana or Chicago, all Big Shoulders Fund team members contribute to the success of our work across both sites.

Big Shoulders Fund has earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of nonprofits, for 2 consecutive years, a distinction held by less than one percent of nonprofit organizations nationally.

POSITION OVERVIEW

This part-time role (approximately 16 hours per week) leads efforts to expand technical career exploration for students at four Big Shoulders Fund high schools by organizing field trips, overseeing school-based career guild clubs, and offering tailored opportunities aligned to student interests. The position plans annual professional development for teachers and counselors, consults with school faculty and staff on integrating career exploration into coursework, and develops mentor programs linking current students and recent alumni with professionals in skilled trades and other progressive career pathways. Additional responsibilities include developing and maintaining a robust network of partners (trade unions, corporations, training organizations, and community colleges), publishing a quarterly career pathways e-newsletter, tracking students’ post-graduation outcomes in a comprehensive database, awarding scholarships, and planning and implementing events and activities that strengthen connections among students, alumni, families, and industry partners including ComEd, and Exelon.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Lead engaging career-focused field trips that bring real-world vocational and technical opportunities to life for high school students.
• Deliver impactful annual professional development sessions for teachers and counselors to support and encourage career exploration in schools.
• Drive hands-on learning by overseeing faculty-led, school-based career guild clubs that include activities to match students’ unique interests.
• Support school counselors in connecting students to tailored opportunities in trades and technical fields.
• Champion graduates pursuing trades and progressive career pathways by providing scholarships, building alumni networks, and launching mentorship programs.
• Forge and nurture strong partnerships with trade unions, corporate leaders, training programs, and community colleges to enrich program offerings.
• Build a tailored mentor network linking current students and recent grads with industry professionals and alumni.
• Collaborate closely with high school teachers and counselors to weave career exploration into everyday learning.
• Plan and carry out events and program activities with Big Shoulders Fund staff, schools, and industry partners to spotlight career and technical pathways.
• Cultivate strong, ongoing relationships with key partners including ComEd, Exelon, and partner schools through regular communication.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive database tracking student and alumni interests, career pursuits, and program outcomes to better support student needs.
• Create and distribute a quarterly e-newsletter showcasing success stories, new opportunities, and industry trends.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Demonstrate strength and skill in interacting with others, especially teachers, principals, students, and families from diverse cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds
• Hold a commitment to excellent customer service, promptly returning phone calls and answering emails
• Work cooperatively with Big Shoulders Fund staff in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, and perform additional tasks as needed in support of the overall mission of the Big Shoulders Fund
• NOTE: This role requires availability to work some evenings and weekends for Big Shoulders Fund events
• Other duties as assigned

QUALITIES OF THE CANDIDATE WE SEEK

• 5+ years of experience or strong knowledge in career and technical training, trades, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, or related fields
• Retirees from any of these fields – especially those who also have experience in education - are strongly encouraged to apply
• Existing relationships with trade unions and industry organizations that support vocational pathways preferred
• Understanding of credentialing processes and programs that advance vocational and technical careers preferred
• Experience planning and delivering educational programming for high school students, with knowledge of best practices in career and technical education preferred
• Excellence in program oversight and management
• Exceptional organizational, problem solving, and time management skills; ability to set priorities among competing activities
• Access to reliable transportation required
• Strength in establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• High degree of responsibility, initiative, and professionalism
• Flexibility to shift tasks and priorities as needed
• Proficiency in event management software, Microsoft Word and Excel
• Appreciation for the benefits of a Catholic education for students, families and communities; familiarity with Catholic schools in Chicago and/or Northwest Indiana a plus; experience with education in urban environments a plus
• Ability and desire to work effectively within a team
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people
• Commitment to and passion for improving access to high-quality, values-based education options for all children
• Highly motivated and adaptable with a strong work ethic; operate with honesty, integrity, and a positive attitude

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization and the students/schools it serves.

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