Lead Navigator at SAFER FOUNDATION – Chicago, Illinois

The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment.

General Summary:

The Lead Navigator will report to the Reentry Navigator Manager. Responsibilities will include providing coverage support for Reentry Navigators, as needed, participating and/or leading integrative staffing, implementing and facilitating trainings for Reentry Navigators related to professional development and client services, and assisting with maintaining engagement and connection with community and referral The Lead Navigator will maintain a reduced caseload as well as other assigned duties. This position will be housed in between three different Safer Foundation offices as needed.

Performance Results Description

The Position is performed correctly when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.

Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity and Evidence Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interface

• The Lead Navigator will be required to maintain a reduced caseload.
• Lead teams of peer reviewers for files.
• Implement and facilitate training for Reentry Navigators related to professional development and/or services for clients.
• Provide coverage support for Reentry Navigators within programs, as needed.
• Participate and/or lead integrative staffing, including updating notes in referrals in real time and updating Reentry Navigators of reconciliation information.
• Monitor, review and assist Reentry Navigators with file review and assessment of data collected to assure all necessary documentation is collected for program services for eligibility purposes.
• Monitor and assist with engagement and connection to community partners, review and assist in tracking, data entry for monthly reports
• Attends regularly scheduled agency-wide meetings, community meetings and other meetings as assigned.
• Respond to referrals within 24-48 hours.
• Lead integrative Staffing meetings.
• Conduct intake assessments to identify immediate and short-term needs.
• Utilize Salesforce and/or other database(s) to register clients.
• Referrals to medical, behavioral health, housing, and emergency housing agencies to assist participants with immediate needs upon their release.

Stakeholder Interface and Service

• Co-create individualized service plans and provide cross-systems navigation to all participants and monthly service plan progress review.
• Assist participants with identifying and addressing external barriers to achieving set goals listed in the service plan upon their release.
• Advocate for participants in areas including but not limited to reentry, at risk for violence, and/or at risk for homelessness, upon release.
• Complete Medicaid/SNAP applications and, as necessary, assist with coverage redeterminations for recently released or whose benefits have lapsed, upon release.
• Based on emergent needs, assist clients with a range of services, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, legal aid in preparation to reenter society.

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment

• Under the direction of the Reentry Navigator Manager, seek out, research, negotiate and establish new relationships with other agencies that welcome and are responsive to the needs of returning citizens.
• Works closely with SRNC community network partners. Partner with external stakeholders to plan and execute a SRNC wellness fair annual alongside key internal and external stakeholders.

Tracking, Document, and Reporting

• Tracking, monitoring, and communicating with reentry team on updating necessary participant documentation, chart files, in collaboration with operations management.
• Document and obtain training acknowledgment forms and certifications (as needed)
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations with respect to clients’ protected information.
• All contractual requirements are completed accurately, entirely, and on time.
• All Safer standards are adhered to, including productivity standards.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates ability and enthusiasm in project management, including curriculum development implementation, administration, and management of workshops or other educational events.
• Ability to take the initiative and leadership on various projects, multi-task, prioritize assignments, and structure work to meet deadlines.
• Strong ability to interact with diverse groups and cultures.
• Demonstrate attention to detail when completing tasks.
• Ability to travel to program/event locations.
• Ability to adapt to schedule changes and maintain flexibility, including providing training when applicable.
• Knowledge of standard concepts, issues, and best practices concerning reentry preferred
• Hands-on experience and self-sufficiency with Microsoft productivity tools, including Outlook (for email), Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and online collaboration tools (video conferencing, Zoom/Teams, messaging).
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve.
• Ability to represent Safer Foundation professionally while also being able to develop a rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Telephone etiquette skills
• Proficient in client documentation skills.
• Knowledgeable about Medicaid in Illinois as well as other public benefits
• Knowledgeable about resources in the community for returning citizens preferred
• Knowledgeable about the Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) website and Manage My Case function preferred
• Skilled in active listening and conveying information to others effectively.
• Skilled in Critical Thinking, judgment, and decision-making
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Education and Experience:

• Associates Diploma required, or 5 years case management experience; bachelor’s degree with two years of experience working as a case manager in a social service setting preferred.
• Three years of experience working as a case manager in a social service setting is required.
• Individuals with direct lived experience welcomed.
• Experience working with justice-involved individuals or engaging with those impacted by the justice system, and/or working with people in underserved communities.
• Experience referring clients to a network of community-based providers and resources.
• Experience completing applications for public benefits
• Experience in working on virtual platforms (Salesforce, Google, DocuSign, etc.) or expressing willingness to learn.
• Skilled in active listening and conveying information to others effectively

Licenses and/or Certifications: Not required

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance – Care for you and eligible family members
  • Choice of two (2) Medical Plan options from BlueCross BlueShield
  • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
• Dental Insurance – Offered by BCBS
  • Individual coverage 100% paid by Safer!
    • Eligible family coverage available
• Vision – “See” how Safer cares for your eye health
  • Low-cost co-pays for in-network exam, frames & contacts

• Life Insurance – Protection for you & your family
  • Basic Life (equal to 1.5 times your salary.)
  • 100% paid by Safer!

• 403b Retirement Plan – Helping you save for retirement
  • Generous Company match to help you save more!

• Vacation & Holidays – Refresh, rewind, & enjoy at Safer!
  • Vacation days (non-manager)
  • Company Holidays (2025); more than industry standard
  • Paid Leave Days
    
    
• Other Benefits & Perks -adding value to You!
  • Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
  • Benefits such as Pet Insurance, Critical Illness, & Travel

Safer Foundation is a drug-free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Minorities/Females/Veterans

www.saferfoundation.org Opens a New Window

No Phone Calls Please