Lead Case Manager at Macedonia Development Corporation, NFP – East St. Louis, Illinois

Job Summary

Macedonia Development Corporation (MDC) is seeking a dynamic and motivated Lead Case Manager for the East Saint Louis: Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program also known as the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Workforce Network Program. This lead role is responsible for driving program growth through strategic recruitment and partner collaboration, overseeing the casework team’s daily operations and professional development, and managing the end-to-end participant experience from comprehensive intake through long-term career placement and performance reporting.

Organization Overview

Our mission is to empower our proud and resilient East St. Louis community to turn the tide of historic disinvestment and systemic racism by accelerating its own capabilities to build wealth, create career-sustaining jobs, enable a healthier and cleaner environment, and drive broad reinvestment back into local businesses and families so that East St. Louis can thrive and succeed for generations to come.

Funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), our CEJA Workforce Network Program called “ESTL Workforce Hub” empowers job seekers with the skills and resources needed to excel in today’s job market in our region. Along with specialized technical job training within the clean energy field, the program provides job readiness support—from resume building and interview preparation to writing assistance—and access to certification testing to strengthen qualifications. The ESTL Workforce Hub will also offer wrap around services and support in order to help participants overcome barriers to successful completion. By partnering with a network of hiring businesses, we connect individuals to genuine job opportunities, -offering trusted referrals to a supportive employment ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the casework team in the execution of daily, weekly, and quarterly deliverables, ensuring all milestones align with program timelines.
• Train and mentor team members on core casework duties, including intake procedures, database management, and participant engagement strategies.
• Develop and implement comprehensive workplans for the casework team to optimize workflow and resource allocation.
• Deliver monthly and quarterly performance reports.
• Secure a consistent flow of leads for the program through strategic outreach and networking efforts.
• Collaborate with community partners to identify and refer potential candidates.
• Conduct comprehensive intake and career plans to address participant needs and readiness for technical training instruction.
• Inform enrolled participants about program expectations, requirements, and benefits.
• Ensure program applications are completed accurately and submitted on time.
• Assist participants throughout the lifetime of the ESTL Workforce Network Program and provide guidance as needed.
• Conduct standardized interviews alongside team members to assess candidate fit and qualifications.
• Offer feedback to applicants and support them through subsequent steps.
• Coordinate with DCEO-funded Energy Transition Navigators to recruit eligible leads.
• Facilitate clear and consistent communication among the program team, clean energy training providers, and job placement/retention partners.
• Serve as the primary liaison between participant data entry and MDC administrative staff to ensure information is efficiently shared and acted upon.
• Execute additional strategic initiatives as assigned to ensure workforce programs remain responsive to the organization’s mission and evolving community needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field. Master’s degree in related fields preferred.
• 2-3 years of experience in community organizing, social-facing work, or social work qualifications (BSW or MSW).
• Experience leading small teams
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience conducting interviews and assessments.
• Familiarity with workforce development programs is an advantage.
• Must have access to reliable transportation and be able to travel.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS/INFORMATION

• Will work in a collaborative team environment with frequent interactions with community partners and program participants. The role may involve irregularities in the work schedule and occasional travel.
• Must have a positive attitude, strong work ethic and willingness to learn.
• Please note that this position includes paid time off (PTO) but does not currently include a comprehensive benefits package, such as medical insurance or retirement plans.

Reports to: Director of Workforce Programs