COMMUNITY LIVING SPECIALIST

City of Chicago Department of Law; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago is hiring a Community Living Specialist in the Seniors Division to plan, coordinate, and evaluate social services for older adults and people with disabilities. The role requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in gerontology, psychology, social services, or public health, with relevant program administration experience.

The position involves coordinating services, supervising intake/referral staff, and developing life enrichment programs, with standard city hours and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field as listed.
• Two years (Bachelor) or one year (Master) of experience planning, implementing, and administering social service programs.

Responsibilities

• Administers social services and support programs for older adults and adults with disabilities.
• Conducts site visits and audits delegate agencies for client service and contract compliance.
• Prepares corrective action plans for non-compliance and conducts staff training on reporting and compliance.
• Counsels older adults on forms and court processes, including protective orders in Domestic Violence Court.
• Develops life enrichment programs with educational, social, and recreational activities at regional senior centers.
• Oversees information and referral units, supervises intake and referral staff.
• Acts as a case manager, monitoring plans and coordinating services with clients, caregivers, and providers.
• Leads collaboration with community resources to expand services for aging and disabled populations.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Gerontology, Psychology, Social Services, Public Health, or related field

Master’s degree in Gerontology, Psychology, Social Services, Public Health, or related field

Job description

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Job Description - COMMUNITY LIVING SPECIALIST (421339)

Job Description

COMMUNITY LIVING SPECIALIST

Job Number: 421339

Description

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENTCOMMUNITY LIVING SPECIALISTDEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & SUPPORT SERVICESSeniors DivisionNumber of Positions: 1

New hires are paid the starting rate. Current employees’ pay rate is determined by their job title and years of service

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CST on 11/06/2026This 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.1. Check the box on your profile titled “Currently employed by the City of Chicago”2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled ‘payee/employee number’)3. Select your correct bargaining unit, upload your resume, and complete the applicationFAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION

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

For information about City of Chicago salaries and job titles, please

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, please

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

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

City of Chicago