The Digital Navigator provides individualized or small group assistance to community members who 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 may be provided in-person or by voice telephone, email, text, video chat, and other communication methods that work for the learner.

The Digital Navigator’s work is part of the Forest County Broadband Committee’s efforts to promote digital skills, training and equitable internet access for residents of Forest County, Sokaogon Chippewa and Forest County Potawatomi communities.

Digital Navigator is a time-limited, full-time position for 30 months. The Digital Navigator will receive training, mentorship, and support as part of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s National Digital Navigator Corps. The Digital Navigator will report to the Project Manager.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Receive, return, or initiate requests from clients seeking assistance or identified for assistance
• Discuss with each client their current or need for home internet access, technology experiences and their devices
• Assess their access to technology, current digital skills, connectivity needs, and internet use Set agreed goals for digital navigator services. Confirm the details with the client
• If necessary, advise clients about free or affordable home internet service options for which they may qualify, assist clients to apply for services they choose, and support their efforts to secure service
• If necessary, advise clients about sources of affordable computers or other internet connected devices for which they may qualify, and support their efforts to acquire appropriate devices and where they can get help for repair
• Coach clients as necessary to use their home internet services in order to meet their internet use priorities. This may include both in-person, phone, and online interactions, as well as referral to sources of additional digital literacy skill training
• Track each client’s progress and types of requests, keep accurate and timely records, and report outcomes as required

• Plan and manage assistance to each client with the goal of fulfilling the agreed goals
• Participate in regular virtual meetings with the National Digital Navigator Corps
• Travel to attend in-person meetings with the National Digital Navigator Corps twice annually
• Other tasks as necessary

Critical Skills and Aptitudes

• Ability to embrace the challenge of learning and teaching basic technological concepts related to internet services, computer and device characteristics, and common online services and applications
• Excellent self-organization, language capacity, and cultural competency
• Excellent communication skills in-person, over the phone, and online, including the ability to establish trust with clients of varied educational and cultural backgrounds
• Ability to demonstrate positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, empathy and a sense of humor in working with diverse customers, coworkers, and community
• Ability to creatively solve problems, and negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner

• Ability to provide excellent customer service, establish appropriate boundaries with clients, and to demonstrate innovation and flexibility

Wages begin at $22.85 an hour with benefits. Please send resume and letter of interest to christopher.stark@wisc.edu by 5 p.m. Monday,                              .