COMMUNITY LIVING SPECIALIST

Illinois Defense Counsel; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 67,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Chicago, Seniors Division, Department of Family & Support Services, seeks a Community Living Specialist to plan, coordinate, and evaluate senior services. Location: 1615 W Chicago Ave, hours 9:00am–5:00pm, Monday–Friday. Starting salary $74,160.

Applications due 11/06/2026. This position is open to the public and covered by AFSCME bargaining units. Under supervision, the specialist administers senior programs, conducts site visits, trains agencies, counsels elders, and manages

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Gerontology, Psychology, Social Services, Public Health, or related field with 2+ years of program experience.
• Master's degree in Gerontology, Psychology, Public Health, or related field with 1+ year of program experience.

Responsibilities

• Administers social services for older adults and those with disabilities; coordinates services within the department.
• Conducts site visits and audits to ensure contract compliance with delegated agencies.
• Prepares corrective action plans for non-compliance and oversees implementation.
• Trains delegates on program reporting and compliance; provides guidance to staff and clients.
• Counsels clients on forms, court processes, and protective orders.
• Develops life enrichment programs and oversees information/referral units.
• Acts as case manager monitoring plans and coordinating with partner organizations.

Skills

Social services experience

Program planning

Training & supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in Gerontology

Master's degree in Gerontology or related field

Job description

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

COMMUNITY LIVING SPECIALIST

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & SUPPORT SERVICES

Seniors Division

Number of Positions: 1 (additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $74,160.00

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CST on 11/06/2026

This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City's collective bargaining agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) - BARGAINING UNITS 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

Under general supervision, this class functions as generalists participating in planning, coordinating, and evaluating various Family and Support Service programs, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Administers various social services and support programs for older adults, those in a state of self-neglect, victims of elder abuse, and adults with disabilities (e.g., Foster Grandparent, Title V, Senior Companion, Domestic Violence Court Advocate, Caregiving Counseling and Chore Services)
• Conducts site visits and performs program and fiscal audits of delegate agencies to evaluate client services and to ensure compliance with contract requirements
• Prepares and oversees the implementation of corrective action plans which resulted from non-compliance with delegate agency agreement provisions
• Conducts training programs for delegate agencies on program reporting and compliance requirements
• Counsels older adults in the completion of forms and court processes and proceedings involved with filing orders of protection in Domestic Violence Court and accompanies clients to Court and advocates on their behalf
• Develops and implements life enrichment programs to meet the needs of older adults including educational, social, and recreational activities at a regional senior center
• Oversees the operations of an information and referral unit, supervising staff providing intake, information, and referral assistance to older adults, adults living with a disability, their families, and caregivers
• Functions as a case manager ensuring client needs are met by monitoring case plans, providing technical guidance, providing training and information to delegate agencies and clients, caregivers, physicians, and others
• Counsels older adults and adults with disabilities on available social and supportive services and provides appropriate referrals
• Meets with community resource organizations to increase knowledge of services and allow for positive transfer of clients to local service providers
• Gathers and analyzes data, prepares reports (e.g., statistical, program monitoring activities and findings, compliance, etc.)
• Develops programmatic budgets, tracks expenditures, and approves invoices
• Acts as an advocate for clients working on their behalf to secure needed services and benefits
• Provides guidance and direction to subordinate and lower level staff
• Serves on special committees related to areas of concern for aging, disability, housing, elder abuse or neglect/Adult Protective Services
• Enhances and maintains agency resource information that serve older adults and adults with disabilities
• Attends trainings to enhance knowledge of resources and services, and Information and Referral competencies
• Acts as a liaison with other City departments and agencies (e.g., Department of Buildings, Chicago Police Department, Fire Department, Cook County Sheriff's Office, Cook County State's Attorney)
• Assists in the preparation of grants applications, requests for proposals and recommends the most qualified bidder for the awarding of contracts
• Operates a Telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) and telephone equipment to receive and transfer incoming calls and to process hearing impaired calls
• Accesses a language bank to obtain translator services to communicate with non-English speaking clients
• Responds to client inquiries, complaints and concerns in the absence of the Regional Director, as required

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: 1615 W Chicago Ave

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Gerontology, Psychology, Social Services, Public Health, or a directly related field, PLUS at least two (2) years of work experience in the planning, implementation, and administration of social service programs, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Gerontology, Psychology, Social Services, Public Health, or a directly related field, PLUS at least one (1) year of work experience in the planning, implementation, and administration of social service programs

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.

APPLICATION EVALUATION

Initial evaluation will be based on the information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required employment/hiring plan provisions, federal, state, and local laws, and collective bargaining agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience, the City of Chicago has adopted ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, residents of Socio‑Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA), and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. The learn more about our hiring processes.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor