Community Educator

The Gretchen S. Vapnar Community Crisis Center; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Employee Assistance program

Professional development assistance

Job summary

The Gretchen S. Vapnar Community Crisis Center in Elgin, Illinois, seeks a Community Educator to plan, deliver, and evaluate educational programs on domestic violence, sexual assault, and related crises for schools, organizations, and the public.

The role is full-time and on-site in Elgin. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 1 year in social services are preferred, with 40 hours of training provided on domestic and sexual violence.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Public Health, Communications, or related field.
• Experience: Prefer 1 year in social services.
• Training: Minimum 40 hours training in domestic and sexual violence.
• Technical Skills: Written and verbal communication, listening, organization, prioritization, and knowledge of local services.
• Social Skills: Teamwork, courtesy and respect to colleagues, interns, volunteers, visitors and clients.
• Transportation: Willing to travel throughout the area; provide proof of insurance if using a private vehicle.
• Pay: $42,000-$48,000 annually.
• Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, PTO, EAP, professional development assistance.

Responsibilities

• Plan, deliver and evaluate educational programs about domestic violence, sexual assault, and related crises for schools, community organizations, and the public.
• Develop presentations and training materials; facilitate workshops.
• Represent the Center at community events and build partnerships with local agencies.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure trauma-informed messaging and timely responses to education requests.
• Assist with awareness campaigns and grant/report documentation for education activities.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Listening skills

Organization

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work Education Public Health Communications

Tools

Basic computer knowledge

Job description

Company Description

The Gretchen S. Vapnar Community Crisis Center, located in Elgin, Illinois, has been serving individuals and families in crisis since 1975. As one of the oldest domestic violence shelters in the state, the Center has played a key role in organizing both the Illinois and National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Team members provide comprehensive services for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and economic hardship, with a mission focused on Safety, Hope, Advocacy, Respite, and Education. Services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, advocacy, financial assistance, an emergency food pantry, batterers’ intervention, transitional living, specialized children’s programming, and community education. The Center primarily serves northern Kane County and far northwest suburban Cook County, with no service area limits for domestic violence survivors.

Role Description

The Community Educator is a full-time, on-site role based in Elgin, IL. This role is responsible for planning, delivering, and evaluating educational programs about domestic violence, sexual assault, and related crises for schools, community organizations, service providers, and the general public. Day-to-day tasks include developing presentations and training materials, facilitating workshops, representing the Crisis Center at community events, and building partnerships with local agencies and stakeholders. The Community Educator will collaborate with internal teams to ensure accurate, trauma-informed messaging, respond to requests for education and outreach, and maintain records of programs and participant feedback. The role also involves supporting awareness campaigns, assisting with grant or report documentation related to education activities, and promoting the Center’s services and mission in the Fox Valley Region and beyond.

Detailed Job Summary:

• programs for community and professional groups as requested.
• Maintain an adequate supply of domestic and sexaul assault brochures and pamphlets in appropriate locations throughout the community.
• Promote and schedule prevention education programs through outreach to educators, school systems, yourh organizations, medical and community groups, and other interested or high risk populations.
• Assist DSV Advocacy and Prevention Servies Coordinator in the planning and coordination of the events related to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault month and awreness od sexual assault/abuse issues throughout the year.
• Provide training to other professionals as needed.
• Remain aware of current developments in the field.
• Particpate in funder site reviews as necessary.
• Must maintain confidentiality of services.
• Attend staff meetings as designated unless Executive Director waives this requirement.
• Assist the DSV Advocacy and Prevention Services Coordinator in short and long range program planning.
• Education- Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Public Health, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience - Prefer 1 year experience in social services.
• Training- Upon employment will recieve a minimum of 40 hours training in the area of domestic and sexual violence.
• Technical Skills- Requires good written, verbal and communication skills; must have good listening skills and organization. Basic computer knowledge, the ability to prioritize responsibilities, and knowledge of other services in the area.
• Social Skills- Must demonstrate flexibility with a “team work approach” as well as demonstrate courtesy and respect towards other employees, interns, volunteers, Visitors and clients.
• Transportation Requirements- Must be willing and able to travel throughout the area for presentations; if using a privately owned vehicle, must provide proof of current yearly insurance coverage.
• Pay- $42,000-$48,000 Annually
• Benefits- Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Employee Assistance program, Professional development assistance.