Life Coach

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

401K plan

Job summary

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago seeks a compassionate Life Coach to support high-risk individuals in overcoming barriers and achieving their goals. This role includes providing direct services, utilizing a trauma-informed approach and building meaningful relationships with participants.

Qualifications include a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and experience in Community Violence Intervention. The average compensation for this position is $50,000, along with a competitive benefits package including health and retirement planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, or related human service field.
• 5+ years experience working with high-risk individuals, preferably in CVI.
• Valid Illinois driver's license and good driving record.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and accountability to a minimum of 20 participants.
• Utilize community knowledge to build effective relationships.
• Document participant progress and assist with transportation.

Skills

Crisis response

Relationship building

Communication skills

Knowledge of criminal justice system

Trauma-informed care

Education

Bachelor's degree in counseling or related field

High school diploma with five years experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Reporting to the Manager of Support Services, the Life Coach works directly with high-risk individuals in the community and accompanies them as they navigate the challenges associated to current or past involvement with the criminal justice system, work to establish a healthy and stable lifestyle, and overcome barriers to accomplishing their professional goals. This position not only provides services and resources to help achieve established goals, but also uses first-hand knowledge of the community to develop and maintain meaningful and effective relationships with participants, responds in the community as crises arise and draws out participant motivation to reach his/her potential. The Life Coach models prosocial behaviors and successful interpersonal relationships, provides the accountability necessary to achieving established goals, and mentors participants as they receive supportive services and attend court dates.

This position may also be a member of a Violence Prevention-Community Support Team (VP-CST), an innovative effort to provide trauma-informed therapeutic interventions to individuals who have experienced chronic exposure to firearm violence. VP-CST teams are comprised of an outreach worker, life coach and clinician.

Essential Functions / Responsibilities

• Utilize first‑hand knowledge of the community and street conflicts to develop and maintain supportive and effective relationships with participants
• Using a trauma‑informed approach, provide support, resources and accountability to a caseload of 20 participants at minimum
• Coordinate and complete intake process for every participant on caseload
• Establish and monitor participant goals
• Conduct and document in database a minimum of one in‑person one‑on‑one support session each week with every participant on caseload
• Document in database the progress of each participant, including significant contacts, events attended (such as court dates) and feedback shared by external partners
• Assist participants with transportation to community supports, court, social service agencies, etc.
• Respond to crises in the community that impact participant safety and/or stability
• Provide linkages to needed supports, such as safe and stable housing or other community resources
• Create coordinated care, addressing gaps in information and services for each participant through regular communication with internal team members, participant family, and other service providers
• Work closely with referring partners and our community‑based partners to ensure that goals are met
• Model prosocial behaviors and successful interpersonal relationships
• Serve as a mentor and draw out participant motivation to reach his/her potential
• Assist in facilitating cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) groups to support participant self‑regulation
• Provide accountability necessary to support participant achieving established goals, challenge antisocial behavior and consistently hold participants to high standards
• Serve as a member of a Violence Prevention‑Community Support Team (VP‑CST)
• Participate in trainings required of all VP‑CST team members
• Document services provided in database, SmartCare
• Attend regular internal meetings about participants served by the VP‑CST team and communicate and coordinate with team members about participant progress as much as Releases of Information allow
• Complete required annual trainings, such as nonviolence training
• Support and attend annual agency‑wide staff events and participate in events hosted by community partners, as needed

Requirements

Educational Qualifications:

• An individual possessing a bachelor's degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, education, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or related human service field
• OR an individual possessing a bachelor's degree in any field with two years of documented clinical experience in a mental health setting under the supervision of a QMHP
• OR an individual with a high school diploma or GED and a minimum of five years documented clinical experience in mental health or human services

Additional Qualifications:

• At least five years (5) experience working with high-risk individuals, preferably in Community Violence Intervention (CVI) field
• Willingness and flexibility to respond to crises around the clock
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and to bettering yourself
• Knowledge of Chicago neighborhoods, the fundamental drivers of violence and the history of street groups in the city
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system in Cook County, court processes, restorative justice practices and alternatives to incarceration
• Knowledge of basic cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) principles
• Ability to work with a team and respond well to supervisor direction
• Ability to take initiative, work as a self‑starter, lead by example, and model exemplary conduct
• Ability and commitment to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively in writing
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to complete basic data entry and word processing tasks
• No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, insurance, and good driving record
• Ability to meet prescribed deadlines, collaborate as part of a team and respond well to supervisor direction and follow up
• Possess a strong sense of compassion and patience for serving an underserved population

Salary & Benefits

Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $50,000.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago puts our people first with a top‑of‑the‑line benefits package. Competitive benefits package available, including Health, Life, and 401K.

EEO Statement

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.