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 PAYCOMONLINE.NET.
Position Type: This position is part-time, non-exempt and reports to the Program Manager-NLCP. Generally, this position operates in a professional/school environment. The hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Some weekend hours are required as outlined in the grant. Flexibility in the schedule may be requested to accommodate client work/school schedules.
Environment: Physical demands are part of the essential functions of the position. The individual must be able to remain in a stationary position throughout the workday, operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, frequently communicate with clients and employees of VOA Illinois, and others involved in the care and custody of clients. The individual must be able to move, traverse and travel in the community in a vehicle, assist clients in and out of a vehicle, and transport clients in the community.
Core Competencies: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to meet or exceed the following;
- Possess broad knowledge of the social justice issues facing youth in the Chicagoland area and have a similar background to the community being served.
- Possess strong verbal and written communication skills that builds meaningful partnerships with the staff and community members.
- Supporting a caseload using strategic and solutions-oriented approach.
- Ability to synthesize information, identify opportunities, appropriately assess risks and benefits, build support for strategies and manage execution.
- Demonstrate work ethic and integrity; self-motivated with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, professional presence and ability to interact with diverse audience.
- 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 Illinois 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.
- Possess good time management and organizational skills to proficiently compete assigned tasks.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a functional motor vehicle.
- Be proficient in software applications especially with Microsoft Office.
Program Overview: VOA Illinois’ NLCP will provide Civics Education and Leadership program, Life Skills program, and the Recreation, Sports, and Cultural/Artistic Activities program, using the IDHS curriculum and combining it with the Project Personality model to serve youth affected by gun violence. Developed by our Trauma-Focused CBT certified team, these programs ensure a psychologically safe environment for students.
Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The functions listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required for the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
- The Program Coordinator will create, implement and modify structured programming that is age appropriate and targets objectives of the program.
- Provides constant supervision and direct care of the participants.
- Creates and maintains a physical and psychologically safe environment designed for emotional growth and healing.
- Required data collection and documentation will be complete, timely and accurate.
- Establish a positive, trusting, and accepting rapport with the participants and staff.
- Acts upon own analysis of participant situations under clinical supervision.
- Reports progress on program to supervisor.
- Participates in agency studies of particular problems or casework practices .
- Delivers services with sensitivity to the clients cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
- Upholds and actively demonstrates investment in the mission and values of VOA Illinois.
Other Duties: As assigned by supervisor.
