SC2 Life Coach

Illinois Peace Project; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

401K

Job summary

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is seeking a SC2 Life Coach to work with high‑risk individuals, helping them navigate justice system involvement and build stable, prosocial lifestyles. The role emphasizes trauma‑informed care and coordinated community supports.

The position includes collaboration with VP‑CST teams, crisis response, and regular documentation of services. A bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent clinical experience is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, guidance, social work, education, psychology, or related field.
• Two years of documented clinical experience in a mental health setting if the degree is in any field.
• High school diploma or GED with five years of documented clinical experience in mental health or human services.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain supportive relationships with participants.
• Provide trauma‑informed support to a caseload of 20+ participants.
• Complete intake processes and establish participant goals.
• Document progress and significant contacts in the database.
• Assist with transportation and crisis response as needed.
• Coordinate with VP‑CST team and community partners.

Education

Bachelor's degree in counseling or related field

Bachelor's degree + 2 years clinical experience in mental health

High school diploma + 5 years clinical experience

Job description

INSTITUTE FOR NONVIOLENCE CHICAGO

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission is to end the cycle of gun violence in Chicago using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles and teachings of nonviolence. Informed by a philosophy of nonviolence, Nonviolence Chicago will establish caring and sustained relationships with participants engaged in the cycle of violence. We will emphasize partnerships with community members, leaders, social service providers, and local law enforcement to reduce community levels of violence. We will help create a safer, healthier environment for young adults, youth, and their families. These general approaches will be specifically addressed using five major methods: Community Violence Intervention (CVI) / Street Outreach, Individualized Service Provision, Victim Support Services, Behavioral Health and Nonviolence Training.

About the SC2 Collaborative

Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago (SC2) is an innovative public‑private initiative uniting practitioners, philanthropy, business and government to implement and test new approaches to addressing violence in seven Chicago communities experiencing high levels of violence. Through collaborative coalitions, SC2 strengthens access to five integrated and evidence‑based services in full‑implementation communities: Street Outreach, Case Management, Behavioral Health, Education and Employment.

The Institute is serving as the hub for the SC2 initiative in the Austin community. The SC2 Austin Collaborative came together under SC2’shypothesis that if at least 75% of individuals in the Austin community at highest risk of violence are reached, then there will be fewer shootings and homicides and, through spill‑over effects, the overall environment of physical safety will change. This unprecedented level of coordination, alignment, and investment in direct service provision to the highest risk individuals in Austin is a five‑year initiative which started in 2024.

POSITION TITLE: SC2 Life Coach

REPORTS TO: Manager of Support Services

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Reporting to the Manager of Support Services, the SC2 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 SC2 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. As such, this role is a critical component of the long‑term success of the SC2 Austin Collaborative.

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 sessions 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 INVC‑wide staff events and participate in events hosted by community partners, as needed

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

The following educational qualifications are required for all life coaches to be a part of a VP‑CST team:

• 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
• Driving is required for this position. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, consistent access to a reliable vehicle, and current vehicle insurance.
• The ability to travel between neighborhoods and community sites served by the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is essential.
• Ability to meet prescribed deadlines, collaborate as part of a team and respond well to supervisor direction and follow up

BENEFITS:

Competitive/commensurate with experience and other qualifications. Competitive benefits package available, including Health, Life, and 401K.

SALARY:

$50,000 and commiserate with experience

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago -- 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, 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.