Career Program Specialist- Hugs and Mugs Studio Cafe and Giftshop
Career Program Specialist- Hugs and Mugs Studio Cafe and Giftshop
Employer Active
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Share
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
$ 50000 - 60000
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Career Program Specialist- Hugs and Mugs
Full-time salaried exempt position
Founded in 2003 GiGis Playhouse Inc.s mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome and send a global message of acceptance for all. This is accomplished through national campaigns purposeful programs and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome their families and the community. All programs are free and are therapeutic or educational in nature. Each one of our programs is designed to work on specific skill development including speech and language literacy socialization and fine and gross motor skills. GiGis Playhouse currently has over 61 locations across North America and is growing by several locations annually.
Position Summary:
The Career Program Specialist is responsible for implementing and expanding the career development and internship program within the Hugs Mugs Caf at the Hoffman Estates Playhouse. This role directly supports interns with Down syndrome as they build job skills engage with customers and prepare for competitive employment opportunities. Serving as a job coach and mentor the Career Program Specialist facilitates daily intern activities monitors progress and provides individualized support to promote growth and independence. This role is also responsible for following structured certification paths and program materials that align with key skill areas to ensure interns graduate from the program with tangible transferable competencies.
In addition the Career Program Specialist plays a vital role in community outreach building relationships with local employers and partners to create inclusive job placements and post-internship volunteer opportunities. This outward-facing role focuses on ensuring the Hugs Mugs internship program is outcome-driven staffed with trained volunteers and aligned with GiGis Playhouse mission.
Essential Job Functions:
Adult Internship Program:
Facilitate daily operations of the Hugs Mugs internship program guiding interns through hands-on job training in customer service caf operations merchandising and professional communication.
Develop and maintain structured certification paths and intern training materials that align with core workplace competencies and program goals. Track intern progress toward certification and support individual learning needs.
Provide direct coaching and mentorship to interns offering support with skill-building confidence and workplace behavior to prepare them for employment success. implementation of adult program standards across the network.
Volunteer and Community Outreach
Recruit train and support volunteers who assist in the caf and with the internship program to ensure a safe supportive and effective learning environment.
Cultivate relationships with local businesses organizations and service providers to identify inclusive job and volunteer placement opportunities for interns post-program.
Program Monitoring and Impact Measurement
Utilize Salesforce and other data tools to track program participation volunteer engagement and participant outcomes.
Establish and monitor program impact metrics adjusting strategies and tools as needed to enhance program effectiveness and meet organizational goals.
Prepare regular reports on program achievements volunteer hours and participant progress to support grant applications and donor engagement.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation
Support the development and implementation of new adult education initiatives by gathering participant feedback and applying best practices in collaboration with the National Programs team.
Assist in maintaining and sharing updated program tools and resources across the network contributing to a centralized repository accessible to all Playhouses.
Participate in regular program assessments and provide insights to help identify areas for improvement working closely with the team to implement enhancements that strengthen program quality and impact.
Collaboration and Leadership
Collaborate with the National Program Team to pilot enhancements to career programming and contribute insights for ongoing development of the Hugs Mugs model.
Serve as an ambassador of GiGis Playhouse embodying its core values and representing the organization at events conferences and meetings.
Volunteer recruitment and training
Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in education Special Education Social Work or a related field preferred.
Minimum of two years experience in program management adult education or career development with experience working with individuals with disabilities.
Proven ability to manage program implementation across multiple locations.
Experienced in Microsoft Office and Salesforce or similar CRM tools.
Passionate about promoting independence and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome.
Must be willing to work nights and weekends to meet the needs of the participants and Cafe hours.
Core Competencies:
Team Collaboration: Works well with others and is open to feedback; contributes to a positive team environment.
Community Engagement: Builds relationships with employers and community partners to create opportunities for program participants.
Problem-Solving: Ability to identify challenges and develop solutions collaboratively and effectively.
Adaptability: Flexible in managing competing priorities and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Customer Service: Responds promptly to the needs of program participants and their families.
Initiative and Work Ethic: Proactively seeks opportunities for program improvement and is willing to go above and beyond to ensure successful program outcomes.
GiGis Playhouse Core Values:
GiGis challenges all staff and volunteers to embody the following core values:
Enthusiasm: Bringing positive high energy to our work
Best of All: Always looking to improve in all that we do. Challenge yourself every day.
Get ItDone: Making things happen and blasting through barriers when needed; figure it out.
Believe: Believe in ourselves believe in our mission believe we can achieve all that we set out to achieve
Locally Concerned Enterprise Minded: Bringing our Best of All to our local playhouse while being mindful of how our work affects the broader GiGis network.
The job duties listed in this job description may not be inclusive of all the requirements of this position. Other duties may be assigned by your supervisor to meet organizational needs. As part of your role at GiGis Playhouse attendance at the Annual Leadership Conference and any designated offsite planning events is mandatory and considered a condition of employment. Additionally participation in GiGis Playhouse signature events such as the Gala GFAC (GiGis Fit Acceptance Challenge) and other Inc.-sponsored initiatives may also be . These events are integral to fostering collaboration advancing our mission and supporting organizational success.
The duties listed in this job description may not be inclusive of all requirements of this position. Other duties may be assigned by your supervisor.
Required Experience:
IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
