About Us: Volunteers of America is a national, faith-based nonprofit organization founded over 125 years ago. VOA Illinois is one of the oldest affiliates of the Volunteers of America family delivering strength-based trauma-informed, gender-responsive and culturally sensitive programs and services at the highest standards of excellence to our clients. We have never stopped reinventing our services and we continue to innovate based on our communities’ evolving needs. VOA Illinois, a certified “Great Place to Work,” fosters an organizational culture focused on faith, innovation and collaboration. Year after year VOA IL expands and promotes from within, holding a workforce with over 50% having experienced promotion. Check out our careers page to find more opportunities at Careers Opportunities - VOA Illinois.
Position Type: This is a Full-time, in-office position and requires a 40-hour week on average. This is a Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 position. This position reports to the Director of Resident and Clinical Services. This position includes an on-call component.
Environment: Physical demands include sedentary work, operating a computer and other office productivity machinery with frequent communication with clients and colleagues of VOA Illinois and others involved in the care and custody of clients. The individual hired must be able to move, traverse and travel in the community in a vehicle, assist clients in and out of a vehicle if necessary and transport clients in the community. This position operates in a professional office environment and is also required to work from multiple locations throughout the greater Chicagoland area to complete home visits, outreach, and attend events. This position will require 40 hours a week on average and will be variable and intermittent. Includes weekend and evening hours. Also includes an on- call responsibility for 7 days biweekly.
Core Competencies: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to meet or exceed the following;
- Drive engagement and communication with clients that embodies empathy, patience and emotional intelligence.
- Advocate for clients using active listening to determine resources and meet various needs.
- Collaborate with VOA colleagues, outside organizations or vendors, etc. to connect clients and obtain necessary resources.
- Display discipline in managing time and attention to assigned caseload, tasks or projects.
- Exercise prudent stewardship of agency resources.
- Exhibit cultural competence while serving clients of diverse backgrounds and commit to expanding knowledge and understanding of different communities and people groups.
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior at all times.
- Engage with trauma-informed care approach and practice principles.
- Recognize and display ability to de-escalate and resolve conflict as necessary.
Program Overview: Our GDP Housing Program is located at Hope Manor I, one of the first large-scale supportive housing developments specifically designed for Veterans in the City of Chicago. The program provides stable housing and supportive services to help Veterans achieve long-term independence and success.
Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The functions listed below represent the position's knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
- Provides in-home case management services to Veterans transitioning into permanent housing that will support them in maintaining their housing and independence.
- Provides clinical case management services to Veterans residing at Hope Manor I as assigned.
- Develops person-centered individualized service plans for each Veteran entering the program.
- Provides therapeutic interventions, psychoeducation, and substance use counseling as needed and outlined within the individualized service plan.
- Maintains client files, notes, and records for each individual enrolled in the program.
- Conducts home visits minimally once monthly for each assigned case.
- Effectively manages a crisis hotline during assigned weeks.
- Completes outreach to all external community partners to obtain referrals to the program.
- Delivers services with sensitivity to individuals’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and engages individuals with respect and integrity.
- Represents the agency's interests, the program, and the program participants in all networking and public relations opportunities.
- Accepts responsibility for appraisal of own work and own professional development.
- Delivers services with sensitivity to the clients' cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
- Upholds the mission and values of the agency and serves as a role model to others.
Other Duties: As assigned by supervisor.
Education and Experience:
- This position requires a BSW or a Master of Counseling degree or equivalent clinical degree. Must either possess or be able to obtain an LPC or LSW within 6 months of beginning the position.
- Must either have or immediately obtain training in Motivational Interviewing, Trauma- Informed Care, and Housing First Model.
- 3 years of experience serving the Veteran population. Experience working with the formerly homeless population will also be considered.
- Demonstrated experience providing person-centered, trauma-informed interventions to clients experiencing low income.
- Ability to communicate effectively and maintain good relations with clients and employees.
- Excellent communication, writing, problem-solving, and organization skills.
- Individual must be a valid driver in the State of IL which includes having a current driver’s license in good standing, access to a safe and reliable vehicle during all work hours and have adequate and current vehicle insurance.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially spreadsheets, database and reporting tools.
Compensation and Benefits: Base Salary Range: $58,000- $62,000
- BCBS Medical, Dental, Vision
- 403b/403b Matching
- Paid-Time Off
- Life Insurance
- PSLF
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Referral program
- AFLAC Supplemental Insurance options
EEOC Statement
VOA Illinois provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal or local law. Reasonable accommodations provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities upon request.