Unit Coordinator

Lawrence Hall; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established community-based organization is seeking a dedicated Unit Coordinator to oversee the treatment and operations for youth in a supportive and trauma-informed environment. This role is essential for ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and fostering a positive atmosphere for both staff and youth. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in youth management, crisis intervention, and team leadership. With a commitment to empowering youth and families, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community. Join a team that values respect, safety, and teamwork, and help shape the future of Chicago's youth.

Benefits

17-25 days of PTO

Comprehensive health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Wellness reimbursement

Life & AD&D Insurance

Commuter benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Tuition & Loan Assistance

Employee Referral Program

Qualifications

• Must be at least 25 years old with a Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience with youth exposed to trauma is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and treatment needs of youth on the assigned unit.
• Supervise and train staff to ensure quality services are provided.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Youth management

Crisis intervention

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

High School Diploma/GED with related experience

Tools

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)

Technology and computer equipment

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 - Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness - have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by not only becoming more community-based but also by developing more preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicago's communities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Unit Coordinator oversees the day-to-day operations and treatment needs of youth on the assigned unit, ensuring a trauma-informed, youth-centered, and family-focused environment. Under the direction of the Licensed Milieu Supervisor, the Unit Coordinator coordinates the treatment team, supervises staff, manages the milieu, and ensures quality services are provided to youth. Lawrence Hall fosters a culture built upon four core values: Respect, Empowerment, Safety, and Teamwork. These values are deeply embedded within our organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position. Must be able to effectively use both verbal and physical intervention skills with individuals six (6) through twenty-one (21) years of age. Physical intervention skills require the ability to kneel and return to standing without assistance.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the overall functioning of the unit, ensuring the quality of services and treatment for youth.
• In consultation with other Core Team Members, ensure that the treatment team is implementing and monitoring youth treatment plans.
• Address internal and external barriers to services.
• Uphold a trauma-informed, youth-guided, strengths-based, and family-focused milieu.
• Supervise, train, and develop Youth Treatment Specialists. Ensure staff are deployed according to their strengths to meet the needs of youth.
• Oversee unit operations, including budget, supplies, inventory, and maintenance.
• Involve youth in learning through daily operational tasks.
• In consultation with other Core Team Members, make final decisions on behavioral interventions and ensure consistency in trauma-informed approaches and agency training models.
• In consultation with other Core Team Members, develop, implement, and train staff in psycho-educational and skills-based group programs.
• Ensure family participation in activities.
• Conduct regular unit rounds and monitor safety protocols. Maintain a clean and safe environment, ensuring youth's basic needs (food, shelter, clothing) are met.
• Foster staff growth through regular reflective supervision, coaching, and training. Ensure staff attend required training and development opportunities.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary clinical staffings and lead team meetings. Ensure coordination between internal and external teams.
• Assist in managing crises, make on-the-spot decisions, and be available for on-call duties.
• Participate in hiring, performance evaluations, and staff discipline, including promotions and terminations.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with community members and organizations. Foster a community-oriented environment for youth.
• Ensure adherence to policies and procedures. Make recommendations for program improvements.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives and participate in ongoing training to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Maintain flexibility to adjust work schedules based on program needs and perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 25 years of age.
• Bachelor's degree preferred or High School Diploma/GED with 5 years of related work experience.
• Must demonstrate skill in working with and managing children of the type served in the program.
• Demonstrates ability to work cooperatively with administration and persons external to the program.
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred.
• Knowledge of youth and adolescent development, positive youth development/strengths-based approaches.
• Personal vehicle preferred and proof of insurance.
• Valid Illinois Driver's license.
• No history of child abuse or neglect.

Work Schedule:

Required to work 2nd shift (hours from 1p-9p or 3p-11p) five days per week, including weekends. Requires flexibility to maintain safety/ratio in the milieu and must be available for on-call related matters.

Job Impact:

This position requires a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail to ensure timely and efficient service delivery, a positive and supportive treatment environment, the highest quality of care for all youth, a safe and secure environment for both youth and staff, maintaining the agency's strong reputation within the community, continued growth and sustainability for the agency through successful referrals and revenue generation, compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory standards.

Work Environment:

The work may be both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions to support positive youth development, youth engagement, and safety. Involves travel to various other locations as needed. Use of technology and computer equipment. Schedule will require working varied shifts dependent on case needs (first, second, or third shift and weekends). The possibility of injury or secondary trauma is moderate to high.

All employees are required to complete and maintain certifications in all trainings relevant to their role. This position specifically mandates completion of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) with restraint training. Subsequent recertification is required every six months. Successful completion of these trainings is essential, but equally important is the consistent application of these skills in daily work.

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Non-Exempt.

Benefits and Perks that Support You

• Time Off Benefits (PTO): Employees receive an average of 17-25 days of PTO, including vacation, paid leave, and sick time, in addition to 9 paid holidays.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans are available for employees, spouses/domestic partners, and child dependents.
• Wellness Reimbursement: Employees can receive up to $20 per month towards wellness-related subscriptions/memberships.
• Retirement Savings: Our 401(k) plan includes a 100% employer match on contributions up to 3% after one year of service.
• Supplemental Insurance: Coverage options include Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, and Short-Term & Long-Term Disability for employees and their families.
• Life & AD&D Insurance: Full-time employees receive term life insurance equal to twice their salary at no cost.
• Commuter Benefits: Pre-tax options are available to help cover parking and transit expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): A free and confidential resource providing support for personal and work-related challenges.
• Employee Referral Program: Employees can earn up to $1,500 for referring successful candidates.
• Tuition & Loan Assistance: Lawrence Hall is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

All offers of employment at Lawrence Hall are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check in accordance with DCFS policy, including:

• Criminal history check via fingerprints of persons age 18 and over that are submitted to the Illinois State Police (ISP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for comparison to their criminal history records or the National Crime Information Database (NCID) when applicable for prospective foster and adoptive parents.
• Check of the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System/Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (CANTS/SACWIS) and other state child protection systems, and the National Registry to determine whether an individual is currently alleged or has been indicated as a perpetrator of child abuse or neglect.
• Check of the Illinois and National Sex Offender Registries.