Service Coordinator

Department: Community Residential Services
Status: Full-time

Who We Are

At Sertoma Star Services, we’re on a mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those living with mental illness to reach their goals and lead fulfilling lives. With a strategic presence in South Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we proudly serve more than 2,000 individuals through a diverse range of vocational, educational, therapeutic, and residential programs.

Sertoma Star Services was formed through the merger of two dynamic social services organizations, New Star and Sertoma Centre, combining more than 125 years of experience providing innovative, person-centered services. Our shared commitment is simple: to transform lives by delivering comprehensive services, choices, and opportunities in an environment that promotes self-advocacy and personal success.

By joining the Sertoma Star team, you will have a unique opportunity to challenge limits and change lives. Together, we can shape a brighter future for those we serve.

Your Role

As a Service Coordinator, you will coordinate services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities participating in the agency’s Community Day Services, Home-Based Services, and Residential Services programs.

You will collaborate with individuals served, their families and guardians, staff members, Independent Service Coordination agencies, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to promote continuity of care. You will also support person-centered planning, self-advocacy, community integration, independence, and access to essential services and resources.

Responsibilities

• Build collaborative relationships with individuals served, families, guardians, staff members, Independent Service Coordinators, and other members of the support team.
• Promote self-advocacy by educating individuals about their rights, how to protect themselves, and how to report potential rights violations.
• Advocate for individuals who may be unable to independently identify or report concerns involving their rights.
• Complete and analyze required assessments, which may include Personal Outcome Measures, risk assessments, rights assessments, support assessments, and other program-specific evaluations.
• Use assessment results to identify each person’s interests, strengths, preferences, goals, and support needs.
• Participate in the person-centered planning process and support the development of each individual’s Person-Centered Plan.
• Advocate for outcomes that reflect the individual’s preferences and needs while promoting personal rights, independence, and community integration.
• Develop implementation strategies that address priority outcomes identified in the Person-Centered Plan.
• Monitor services to ensure they are delivered as outlined in the plan and revised when necessary to address the individual’s changing needs and preferences.
• Prepare detailed reports, consents, and other required documentation within established timeframes.
• Maintain case files in accordance with agency, Illinois Department of Human Services, Medicaid, and Council on Quality and Leadership standards.
• Educate and support individuals and families in accessing benefits, programs, and community resources.
• Assist individuals and families with accessing resources such as SSI, SSDI, ABLE accounts, therapy services, assistive devices, and medical services.
• Train and support Direct Support Professionals in implementing and tracking outcomes identified in each individual’s implementation strategies.
• Collaborate with the behavior-support team to develop strategies that build skills and reduce behaviors that may interfere with the individual’s goals or well-being.
• Schedule and facilitate special team meetings when additional support or plan revisions are needed.
• Address concerns involving changes in support needs, refusal of services, behaviors, risks, or changes to individual outcomes.
• Review incident, injury, and illness reports and communicate with the individual’s family or representative when appropriate.
• Participate in follow-up planning intended to reduce the risk of future incidents, injuries, or illnesses.
• Participate in professional development designed to strengthen knowledge, job skills, and program services.
• Complete all required in-service training and a minimum of 12 continuing education units annually.
• Follow safe work practices and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Attend all agency-mandated training within the required timeframes.
• Maintain compliance with applicable licensing, funding, accreditation, and state and federal regulatory requirements, as well as agency policies and safety procedures.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Home-Based Services Responsibilities

Service Coordinators assigned to Home-Based Services will also:

• Complete service agreements with individuals and families to identify needed services.
• Ensure authorized services remain within applicable monthly and annual budget allocations.
• Monitor compliance with service agreements and authorizations through home and site visits, as requested by the family and required by Medicaid.
• Support individuals and families with hiring, directing, training, and managing Personal Support Workers when requested.

Residential Services Responsibilities

Service Coordinators assigned to Residential Services will not be responsible for the Home-Based Services duties listed above. They will also:

• Collaborate with nursing and residential teams to ensure individuals participate in required medical, dental, follow-up, and other appointments.
• Maintain required appointment and healthcare documentation in accordance with Illinois Department of Human Services standards.
• Provide support for initial medical specialist appointments when needed.
• Provide the nursing team with documentation related to medical follow-up instructions and recommendations.
• Conduct visits to residential homes as required by agency policies and procedures.
• Monitor compliance with implementation strategies and other components of the individual’s Person-Centered Plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, special education, psychology, human services, or a related field required. Candidates with an alternative bachelor’s degree must have at least 30 semester hours in human-services coursework approved by the Illinois Department of Human Services to meet Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional eligibility requirements.
• At least one year of experience working with adults and/or children with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals served, families, guardians, staff members, community providers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Strong organizational, time-management, documentation, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accurate and timely records.
• Proficiency in computers and software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Valid driver’s license, current automobile insurance, and an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• Ability and willingness to travel to agency facilities, residential homes, community locations, and appointments as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Ability to safely lift items as required to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to safely bend, twist, push, pull, reach, stand, walk, and sit as needed.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• 13 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Employer-paid basic life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match
• Tuition assistance
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

Health, Safety, and Culture

Sertoma Star Services is an equal opportunity employer that embraces the uniqueness of every person. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that is respectful and sensitive to individuals of all gender identities and cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.

Our open-door, team-building approach supports both agency goals and employee success.

Revision Date: October 2026