Job Title: Educational/Vocational Specialist

Department: Child Welfare Department/Life Set ILO/TLP Program

Reports to: Leadership Team

Job Type: Full Time, Salary, Non-Exempt

Job Location: Chicago, IL

Salary Range: $40,000-$45,000

Rincon - Building Spaces, Restoring Communities- Who we are:

What began as a small clinic established by young community leaders on the West Side of Chicago in 1972 has grown into one of the largest providers of high-quality and culturally competent services focusing on counseling and crisis intervention services, substance use prevention and treatment, violence prevention, education, case management, community and family services. We are dedicated to rendering compassionate and effective programs to promote the quality of life by catalyzing to advocate, educate and empower individuals and their families.

Position Description – What the Role Entails:

This individual will work as the Educational/Vocational Coordinator and will assist Participant with support needed to complete secondary and post-secondary educational and vocational training. This individual will also assist Participants with understanding their capabilities, identifying job interest, and career path, and identifying, preparing for and obtaining and maintaining employment. The Educational/Vocational Coordinator will act as a liaison between the Participants and their school training program and/or workplace.

Company Culture - Do Our Values Speak to You?

At Rincon, our commitment to mutual respect, inclusivity, and diversity is woven into the structure of all that we do. We value:

• Dedication- Embodying effective and transparent leadership and quality client care.
• Education – Preventative programming and clinical services based on industry standards, competence and outreach.
• Accountability – Consistent service delivery, measurable success, and sensible financial management.
• Advocacy – Empowerment, reduction of treatment stigma, and relationship building with partners.
• Compassion – Embracing culturally diverse communities and equality through sensitivity to individual needs.

With these values in mind, we promote a culture that fosters professional development and agency success. Many of our employees span an extended tenure, and we pride ourselves on developing dedicated and supported team members.

Areas of Accountability - What you will be doing:

• Work with LifeSet Case Specialists to assist the Participant in identifying their education and/or vocational interests.
• Complete A comprehensive vocational/employment assessment for all Participants
• Work with the Participant one on one to assess interests while in high school and beyond.
• Assist Participant with their educational goals
• Assist Participant in maintaining employment
• Connect Participant with proper educational and vocational resources and/or training
• Works with groups, offers, presentations, and works with the community to ensure that the young person has the opportunity to reach his/her educational and/or vocational goal prior to emancipation.
• Schedule school and DCFS staffing and be prepared to provide an update on Participants’ progress as it relates to school and/or work
• Assist Participants with other duties as assigned
• Assist with maintaining and filing case files
• Submit weekly and monthly updates to Case Management team
• Assist Participants with appointments and use that as an opportunity to observe needs, support, and other resources
• Coach Participants for interviews or arrange for training to assist to develop marketable employment skills
• Assist with Financial Aide and other monetary support
• Maintaining documentation, progress notes and case summaries

Rincon Rewards & Benefits- How we value you:

• Health insurance
• Dental & Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Generous PTO (Paid time off)- Accrue up to 21 days in Year 1, some PTO carryover allowable.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Employment may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Certain employees may qualify for City of Chicago commuter transit benefits

Rincon’s Work Environment – What to expect:

1. The individual must be able to successfully perform essential functions of this job including carrying charts to and from their offices/desks, prepare for group activities that may entail moving chairs and/or tables, carrying bags/boxes of food or decorating group activity areas. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees are responsible for informing supervisors of any invisible disability or medical restrictions that limit physical capability.
2. The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. There may be occasions that call for an employee to carry out duties at other agency offices. Traveling to and from meetings is necessary. Some of the work duties would be conducted in the field, which would require travel, updated car insurance and having a reliable vehicle.

Schedule:

1. 9AM-5PM (1 Hour unpaid lunch), Other hours may be required.

Language:

• Must be able to speak English
  

The Knowledge and Expertise that Matters Most - What you bring to the Role:

• Good listening, communication and case management skills. Able to tailor communication styles to make the client feel comfortable.
• The ability to engage Participants in a clinically and respectful manner.
• Initiative and big-picture thinking.
• Planning skills.
• Basic understanding of legal issues of this population.
• Basic understanding of addiction issues of this population.
• Basic understanding of mental illness issues of this population.
• Understanding of Trauma Inform Care. (Agency will train in trauma informed care)
• Understanding of internal and external medical and supportive services.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity.
• Fast, accurate documentation skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients and groups.
• Desire to learn new skills.
• Knowledge of community and social service agencies.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods.

Position Qualifications – What is required to Perform the Role:

• Four years of college in psychology, or a related field, or at least 5 years’ experience in Social Services
• Assist with writing and implementing a treatment plan.
• Knowledge of the usage of computers, and its associated software.
• Must pass a pre-employment background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects.
• Must be able to climb stairs several times a day.
• Must adhere to agency’s non-discrimination policies