Information Technology Lead Specialist

The IT Lead Specialist is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the IT department
managing infrastructure ensuring system security and leading technical staff. This role also
oversees and supports employee training and certification in CompTIA A Network and
Security to maintain a highly skilled and compliant IT workforce.

Top candidates will be energetic committed to individual and social change and willing to
assist in all aspects of executing our classroom job readiness program and participant placement
and retention goals. The ideal candidate will have experience in group facilitation working 1-
on-1 or in small groups with marginalized populations and cultural sensitivity in working with
diverse populations. Finally the IT Lead will be passionate about engaging adult learners
through interactive and well-structured lessons and developing curriculum.

Growing Home is a USDA-Certified Organic urban farm in the Englewood neighborhood of
Chicago that uses urban farming as a vehicle for paid job training for individuals with barriers
to employment. Individual barriers for program Production Assistants (PAs) may include
prior contact with the criminal justice system barriers related to living near or below the
poverty line or lack of traditional market economy work experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Plan coordinate and manage all IT operations systems and infrastructure.
Supervise mentor and evaluate IT staff and contractors.
Oversee and support staff training and certification for CompTIA A Network and
Security.
Develop training plans and track certification progress for technical staff and trainees.
Coordinate and perform website updates and content maintenance
Ensure network server and cybersecurity systems are secure updated and optimized.
Manage IT projects upgrades and system implementations.
Develop and enforce IT policies procedures and security standards.
Monitor system performance troubleshooting and issue resolution.
Manage IT budget vendors licensing and asset inventory.
Ensure compliance with cybersecurity data protection and regulatory requirements.
Provide leadership in incident response disaster recovery and business continuity
planning.

Initiate survey and certificate for all training sessions after course completion in
coordination with clients.
Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of all training programs and maintain records of
all resource allocation and provide support to all internal and external customers.
Troubleshoot all technical issues (i.e. internet issues desktop/laptop issues printer
issues etc.)

Growing Home Internal IT Support 25%:
Perform data entry and Generate reports in Growing Homes CRM (Salesforce)
Conduct staff training and educate them on Growing Homes CRM and use multiple
desktop applications and software such as Microsoft Office and other desktop programs.
Set up new employees with technologies needed for their role (email database google
workspace access).
Respond to requests for technical assistance in person via phone chat or email
Diagnose and resolve technical hardware and software issues advise user on appropriate
action and follow standard help desk procedures
Inform management of recurring problems
Stay current with system information changes and updates
Help update training manuals for new and revised software and hardware

Program Assistance:
Assist in office support tasks and operations as needed
Assists in the coordination of events
Assists with Board liaising as needed
Assists with employer cultivation as needed
Performs other duties as assigned

Other:
As needed assist with Growing Home open houses and events which may
include night or weekend hours
Assist in the collection of appropriate pictures videos and stories for social media

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelors degree in Information Technology Computer Science or related field (or
equivalent experience).
Minimum 4 years of IT management or supervisory experience.
Strong knowledge of networking cybersecurity and IT infrastructure.
Experience supporting user environments across hardware software and network
systems.
Demonstrated leadership communication and project management skills.
Experience with classroom or with group facilitation required
Demonstrated ability to teach adults
Comfortable working directly with marginalized populations; ability to engage with
individuals in an authentic and nonjudgmental manner

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills required; ability to engage
Great organizational and time management skills; ability to work independently and
exercise sound judgment in decision-making
Professional computer skills required proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google
Suite required proficiency in Salesforce or related CRM a plus
Ability to work some evenings and weekends
Some travel for meetings and retention duties will be required. Must have an aptitude
and willingness to navigate public transportation throughout the greater Chicago area or
a valid drivers license with reliable personal transportation.

Preferred Certifications
CompTIA A Network Security (required or preferred)
ITIL CISSP or similar (a plus)
Preferred Skills
Team leadership and staff development
Cybersecurity and risk management
Vendor and budget management
Policy development and compliance

Training program coordination

Physical Work Environment
Ability to lift up to 25-30 lbs.
Occasional after-hours support for system upgrades or emergencies.

In addition to base wage Growing Home offers a competitive benefits package.

Required Experience:

Manager