Job Description

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission is to end the cycle of gun violence in Chicago using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles and teachings of nonviolence. Informed by a philosophy of nonviolence, Nonviolence Chicago will establish caring and sustained relationships with participants engaged in the cycle of violence. We will emphasize partnerships with community members, leaders, social service providers, and local law enforcement to reduce community levels of violence. We will help create a safer, healthier environment for young adults, youth, and their families. These general approaches will be specifically addressed using five major methods: Community Violence Intervention (CVI) / Street Outreach, Individualized Service Provision, Victim Support Services, Behavioral Health and Nonviolence Training.

About the SC2 Collaborative

Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago (SC2) is an innovative public-private initiative uniting practitioners, philanthropy, business and government to implement and test new approaches to addressing violence in seven Chicago communities experiencing high levels of violence. Through collaborative coalitions, SC2 strengthens access to five integrated and evidence-based services in full-implementation communities: Street Outreach, Case Management, Behavioral Health, Education and Employment.

The Institute is serving as the hub for the SC2 initiative in the Austin community. The SC2 Austin Collaborative came together under SC2’shypothesis that if at least 75% of individuals in the Austin community at highest risk of violence are reached, then there will be fewer shootings and homicides and, through spill-over effects, the overall environment of physical safety will change. This unprecedented level of coordination, alignment, and investment in direct service provision to the highest risk individuals in Austin is a five-year initiative which started in 2024.

POSITION OVERVIEW: Reporting to the Manager of Support Services , the supervisor manages the SC2 life coach team and is tasked with ensuring quality services are provided, high-risk individuals move forward in their progress towards established goals, staff and supervisor respond in community as crises arise. This position oversees day-to-day operations of the SC2 life coach team and models prosocial behaviors and successful interpersonal relationships. This role is a critical component of the long-term success of the SC2 Austin Collaborative. The supervisor may also be a member of a Violence Prevention-Community Support Team (VP-CST), an innovative effort to provide trauma-informed therapeutic interventions to individuals who have experienced chronic exposure to firearm violence. VP-CST teams are comprised of an outreach worker, life coach and clinician.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES :

Management & Administration

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the SC2 life coach team, including administrative oversight such as, but not limited to, case load counts, distribution of bus cards, completing data entry, reviewing expense requests and participation in reoccurring operational meetings.
• Implement organization/department policies and procedures (e.g. personnel, financial, client eligibility, standards of professional conduct, etc.)
• Participate in meetings with internal data team as well as external evaluation partners to make sure appropriate data is captured and decisions are data informed
• Supervise SC2 life coach staff, maintain accountability and complete annual performance evaluations/corrective action, as needed
• Support life coaches in preparing for and attending partnership meetings and/or community events
• Manage the schedule, activities and efforts of the life coach team and make sure that staff are supported in attending required training and staff development opportunities
• Represent the organization at external stakeholder/partner meetings
• Participate in the hiring process for new SC2 life coach staff in Austin
• Assist with pressing matters as they arise and perform other duties as required

Life Coach Operations

• Using a trauma-informed approach, provide support, resources and accountability to a caseload of 5 participants at minimum
• Respond to crises in the community that impact participant safety and/or stability
• Communicate with manager daily regarding caseloads, activities, progress and struggles of life coach team, and implement strategies and intervene when needed in response to feedback from manager
• Ensure life coaches meet deadlines related to data entry in Apricot database; read case notes to understand staff efforts and participant progress; and support constant improvement of documentation
• Ensure that all major participant life events are documented appropriately in Apricot database, such as job placement, educational attainment or program completion, including uploading any certificates
• Maintain a consistent awareness of SC2 life coach annual goals and progress towards reaching them; maintain an awareness of contract compliance as it relates to life coaches and SC2
• Attend SC2 caseload review meetings and provide feedback on how to support participant progress
• Provide linkages to needed supports, such as safe and stable housing or other community resources
• Create coordinated care, addressing gaps in information and services for each participant through regular communication with internal team members, participant family, and other service providers
• Work closely with referring partners and our community-based partners to ensure that goals are met
• Model prosocial behaviors and successful interpersonal relationships
• Assist in facilitating cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) groups to support participant self-regulation
• Serve as a member of a Violence Prevention-Community Support Team (VP-CST)
• Participate in trainings required of all VP-CST team members
• Document services provided in database, SmartCare
• Attend regular internal meetings about participants served by the VP-CST team and communicate and coordinate with team members about participant progress as much as Releases of Information allow
• Support and attend annual INVC-wide staff events and participate in events hosted by community partners, as needed

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS :

The following educational qualifications are required for all life coaches to be a part of a VP-CST team:

• An individual possessing a bachelor's degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, education, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or related human service field OR
• An individual possessing a bachelor's degree in any field with two years of documented clinical experience in a mental health setting under the supervision of a QMHP OR
• An individual with a high school diploma or GED and a minimum of five years documented clinical experience in mental health or human services

QUALIFICATIONS :

• At least five years (5) experience working with high-risk individuals, preferably in Community Violence Intervention (CVI) field
• At least two years (2) experience supervising staff from various ethnic, economic and educational backgrounds or equivalent leadership experience that can be demonstrated to be applicable to the duties listed in the job description
• Willingness and flexibility to adjust work hours to meet the needs of participants, staff and the organization; This position will require some nights and weekend hours.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and to bettering yourself
• Knowledge of Chicago neighborhoods, the fundamental drivers of violence and the history of street groups in the city
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system in Cook County, court processes, restorative justice practices and alternatives to incarceration
• Knowledge of basic cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) principles
• Ability to work with a team and respond well to supervisor direction
• Ability to take initiative, work as a self-starter, lead by example, and model exemplary conduct
• Ability and commitment to maintain a highlevel of confidentiality
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively in writing
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to complete basic data entry and word processing tasks
• No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence
• Driving is required for this position. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, consistent access to a reliable vehicle, and current vehicle insurance.
• The ability to travel between neighborhoods and community sites served by the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is essential.
• Ability to meet prescribed deadlines, collaborate as part of a team and respond well to supervisor direction and follow up

SALARY/BENEFITS:

Competitive/commensurate with experience and other qualifications. Competitive benefits package available, including Health, Life, and 401K.

SALARY: $55,500 and commensurate with experience

To apply, please send a cover letter along with your resume to hiring@nonviolencechicago.org.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago -- EEO Statement

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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