Digital Navigator

Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students.

Job Summary:

The Digital Navigator works in close collaboration with the Project Manager Project Coordinator and Principal Investigator to advance the Northeastern Illinois Universitys mission by providing individualized or small group assistance to Illinois residents and community organizations that need affordable home internet service affordable internet-capable devices and/or coaching in introductory digital skills in order to become effective home internet users. This assistance will be provided primarily in-person or by voice telephone but may also include email text video chat in-person and other communication methods that work for the learner in English or another language as appropriate to the assignment.

The Digital Navigator will also work closely with the navigator program at Chicago State University as well as other education and community partners to deliver the digital navigation technical assistance to eligible individuals from early learners to seniors residing in the zip codes and census tracts identified in the grant funding this initiative.

Job Description:

• Receive return or initiate telephone email or in-person contact with Illinois residents and community organizationsseeking assistance or identified by CSU NEIU UIC GSU Illinois Broadband Lab or Illinois Innovation Network forassistance.

• Confirm eligibility for program services from informational services to everyone to technical assistance for thoseresiding in the eligible geographic area.

• Assess their access to technology current digital skill level pertaining to what they need to accomplish the learningplan connectivity needs and internet use priorities.

• Work with community members to identify and agree upon goalsfor Digital Navigator services. Confirm the details with the resident.

• Coach train and guide residents individually or in group settings on how to use their home internet service to meettheir day-to-day needs (i.e. creating an email account applying for a job participating in virtual learning etc.). Thismay include both in-person phone and online interactions as well as referral to sources of additional no-cost digitalliteracy skill training offered in their community at non-profits community-based or faith-based organizations government departments or other institutions.

• Serve as a trusted supportive and empathetic resource forcommunity members as they build confidence in their digital skills.

• Work collaboratively with community organizations local government anchor institutions and other serviceproviders to coordinate and provide information and training at their facilities to their members/clients/customers.

• If applicable provide training at an agreed upon training site or location other than a community anchor institution.

• If applicable advise residents about free or affordable home internet service options for which they may qualify(such as ACP) assist clients to apply for services they choose and support their efforts to secure service. Help themnavigate enrollment processes from start to finish.

• If applicable advise residents about sources of affordable computers or other internet connected devices for whichthey may qualify and support their efforts to acquire appropriate devices and where they can get help for repair.

• If applicable advise residents about financial digital literacy and connect them with the Illinois Comptrollers Bank Onprogram.

• Track types of requests through a uniform system as well as each residents progress toward goals. Keep accurate and timely records and report outcomes as required. Proactively follow up with residents.

• Plan and manage assistance to each resident with the goal of fulfilling the agreed-upon.

• Coordinate and collaborate with the local digital equity leadership entity for the region or area of service to deliver grant-funded services.

• Complete and remain current on internet safety training to be able to advise community members at a basic level on how to stay safe and avoid scams. Follow safety protocols. Maintain the confidentiality of client information.

• Other tasks as necessary or as assigned by the Principal Investigator project manager navigator lead or direct supervisor.

Minimal Qualifications:

1. Any one or combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the categories below:

A. Coursework in social work or behavioral sciences or closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:

• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)

• Associates Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)

• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)

• Bachelors Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

B. Progressively more responsible work experience in social service/ counseling at a paraprofessional level under qualified supervision.

Departmental Preferences:

• Bilingual individuals are encouraged to apply (in particular Spanish Polish Arabic Tagalog or Chinese)

• Knowledge of common software/applications such as Microsoft Office and Google Suite Intermediate experience with navigating:

• Windows and Apple computers

• Android and Apple smartphones/tablets

• Microsoft Office (Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook)

• Google Applications (Docs Sheets Slides)

• Zoom Video Chat/Screen Sharing

• Job experience and/or coursework in computer technology software applications and troubleshooting multimedia Internet research teaching or training.

• Knowledge or experience with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) application process.

• Knowledge or experience with digital financial literacy.

• Knowledge or experience working with long-term unemployed single parents immigrants and migrants and returning residents.

• Knowledge or experience of government and charitable assistance programs including financial housing/shelter heating food childcare transportation public health mental health violence prevention crisis intervention and other similar services.

• Lived experience of unemployment single parenthood immigrant or migrant status or re-entry.
  
  

Hours: Part-time (30 hours per week)

This position requires a background check.

Salary / Hourly Rate Range

$40000-$42000

Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). Please visit ourEmployee Benefitspage to learn more about our comprehensive benefits packageincluding health dental and vision benefits sick and vacation days and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

Northeastern Illinois University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from Women Minorities Veterans and Persons with Disabilities as well as other qualified Illinois Universitys positions are contingent upon the Universitys receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation.