LGBTQ Life Skills Educator

Lawrence Hall; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at an established community-based organization focused on empowering LGBTQ youth through life skills education. As a Life Skills Educator, you will provide essential training to help young individuals transition successfully into independent living. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of youth facing challenges, ensuring they have the tools and support needed for a brighter future. With a commitment to trauma-informed care, you will engage with young people in a culturally diverse environment, fostering healing and resilience. If you are passionate about making a difference, this is the role for you.

Benefits

Term life insurance at no additional cost

Gym membership reimbursement

Retirement savings match

Generous PTO

Employee Referral Program

Paid holidays

Qualifications

• Must be at least 25 years old with relevant education.
• 1+ years experience with older youth in child welfare preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide life skills training to LGBTQ youth aged 17 ½ to 20.
• Facilitate psycho-educational and life skills groups.

Skills

Knowledge of child and adolescent development

Trauma-informed care

Life skills training

Active listening skills

Cultural competence

Education

Associate's Degree in Human Services or related field

60 hours of college education

Tools

Word processing software

Basic computer functions

Job description

WHO WE ARE:

Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicago's youth, families, and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years, Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective, evidence-based, and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs include Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The LGBTQ Life Skills Educator reports directly to the LGBTQ Site Coordinator. This position involves providing intensive individual and group life skills training to 5+ LGBTQ young people aged 17 ½ to 20 years old at the assigned site. Responsibilities include teaching basic independent living skills to help young people succeed after discharge from the program. The position requires flexibility to adjust hours for coverage as needed, including weekends and holidays.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.
• Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization.
• Engage caregivers, parents, family members, and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants.
• Home Management - instruct basic household management including cleaning, proper nutrition, shopping, meal planning, and cooking.
• Self-Care - teach appropriate skills related to grooming, dress habits, and social skills.
• Time Management - help young people organize and develop a routine to facilitate completion of daily responsibilities.
• Facilitate psycho-educational groups.
• Facilitate life skills groups.
• Develop team building activities.
• Document all services provided.
• Facilitate community support services.
• Create an affirming and supportive culture within the home.
• Support linkage to supportive community-based services for youth.
• Use active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy.
• Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences.
• Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants.
• Attend at least two trauma-informed trainings in a twelve-month period.
• Work effectively with program participants and family members in a culturally diverse environment.
• Participate in staffing with team and young people for assessment, treatment planning, and review.
• Transport young people in agency vehicle to various community resources, schools, etc.
• Participate in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to perform keen observation of young people by seeing, hearing, and verbally communicating.
• Ability to walk up and down between two to four flights of stairs without assistance several times during an 8-hour shift.
• Ability to lift a maximum of 50lbs.
• Assist in placement moves.

QUALIFICATIONS

• No less than 25 years of age with an Associate's Degree or at least 60 hours of college in Human Services or a related field.
• At least one (1) year experience working with older youth in a child welfare setting; preferred experience in providing direct care to the LGBTQ+ population.
• Knowledge of word processing and basic computer functions; intermediate to advanced level of computer skills required.
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma preferred.
• Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, and positive youth development/strength-based approach preferred.
• Valid Illinois Driver's license.
• No history of child abuse or neglect.
• Ability to pass background check and drug screen.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exposure to behavior problems that may include physical acting out requiring safe physical management skills.
• Exposure to young people with complex mental health issues and/or disorders.
• Exposure to young people with various states of cleanliness and hygiene.

Highlighted benefits:

• Provides full-time employees 2 times their salary in term life insurance at no additional cost.
• Reimburses gym memberships up to $20 per month to aid in overall fitness and health.
• Offers 100% match up to 3% on retirement savings after 1 year of service.
• All employees start off with an average of 17-25 days of PTO.
• Employee Referral Program offers up to $1500 for referring candidates.
• 9 paid holidays off.

Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet all listed qualifications. We look forward to your application.

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Non-Exempt.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V