Workforce Development Case Manager

Food He.ro; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Food Hero in Chicago seeks a dedicated case manager to support job seekers in hospitality and food production. You will conduct bilingual intakes, develop service plans, and maintain progress records to help participants reach employment milestones.

This full-time, in-person role requires organizing strong client support across two Chicago locations, coordinating with community resources, and guiding participants through job placement and retention processes.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of related experience in case management or workforce development.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Spanish.
• Strong organization, documentation, and digital skills including spreadsheets.
• Ability to travel locally and work in person at Chicago locations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct participant orientations and intakes in English and Spanish; document goals and eligibility.
• Develop individualized service plans with milestones for training and employment.
• Maintain regular contact with participants; document case notes and referrals accurately.
• Manage caseloads and coordinate with staff to address barriers to progress.
• Collaborate with employers and prepare participants for interviews and placement.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Case management

Workforce development

Documentation

Spreadsheets

Tools

Spreadsheets

Participant databases

Job description

$40,000 annual base salary; performance-based bonus eligibility

Schedule

Full-time, in person, Monday through Friday

Work locations

3331 W. 26th Street, Chicago, IL

5801 W. Dickens Ave., Chicago, IL 60639

Travel and language

Some local travel; bilingual English and Spanish required

About Food Hero

Food Hero helps Chicago-area residents build culinary skills, connect with workforce training, and access employment pathways in hospitality and food production. We partner with employers and community organizations to support participants as they prepare for, secure, and sustain employment.

$40,000 annual base salary; performance-based bonus eligibility

Schedule

Full-time, in person, Monday through Friday

Work locations

3331 W. 26th Street, Chicago, IL

5801 W. Dickens Ave., Chicago, IL 60639

Travel and language

Some local travel; bilingual English and Spanish required

About Food Hero

Food Hero helps Chicago-area residents build culinary skills, connect with workforce training, and access employment pathways in hospitality and food production. We partner with employers and community organizations to support participants as they prepare for, secure, and sustain employment.

Key ResponsibilitiesParticipant Intake and Case Planning

• Conduct participant orientations and intakes in English and Spanish; document goals, employment history, needs, and program eligibility requirements.
• Develop and update individualized service plans with clear milestones for training, job readiness, employment, and follow-up.
• Maintain regular contact with participants, track progress, and document case notes, referrals, consent, and next steps accurately and on time.
• Manage an assigned caseload, prioritize urgent participant needs, and coordinate with program staff when barriers affect progress.

Training Support and Barrier Reduction

• Monitor attendance, engagement, and progress in culinary and workforce training; work with instructors on appropriate re-engagement plans.
• Connect participants with community resources for transportation, childcare, housing, food, benefits navigation, and other practical needs.
• Provide strengths-based coaching on professional behavior, work readiness, goal setting, and navigating workplace challenges.
• Recognize issues requiring specialized support and make appropriate referrals while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Employment Placement and Retention

• Collaborate with employer services staff to prepare participants for interviews, referrals, hiring events, and suitable job opportunities.
• Help participants organize resumes, job applications, employment documents, schedules, and employer onboarding steps.
• Follow up with workers and employers after placement, including 30-, 60-, and 90-day check-ins when applicable to the program.
• Identify retention risks, coordinate reasonable support, and document placements, employment status, and outcomes.

Community Coordination and Program Reporting

• Maintain relationships with local workforce agencies, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations for participant referrals and support.
• Assist with community outreach, orientations, job fairs, and participant services at both Chicago offices and partner sites.
• Keep participant records complete and secure, following applicable program procedures, privacy expectations, and reporting requirements.
• Prepare accurate caseload, service, training completion, placement, and retention updates for Food Hero leadership.

Required Qualifications

• At least 3 years of related experience in case management, workforce development, human services, adult education, or participant support.
• Professional working proficiency in spoken and written English and Spanish.
• Ability to build trust, work respectfully with people from different backgrounds, and maintain clear professional boundaries.
• Strong organization, follow-through, documentation, and digital skills, including spreadsheets and participant database systems.
• Ability to work in person at both Chicago locations and travel locally for community and participant-related activities.

Preferred Experience

• Existing experience with Chicago community workforce programs, employment barriers, and referral networks.
• Experience serving job seekers entering hospitality, culinary, food service, or food manufacturing roles.
• Familiarity with workforce program outcomes, participant confidentiality, supportive services, and retention follow-up.

Measures of Success

Success is evaluated through timely intake and service planning, participant engagement and training completion, useful referrals, accurate case notes, successful employment transitions, and job retention. Performance goals should recognize the quality of support and participant circumstances, not just the number of cases closed.

Compensation and Application

Annual base salary: $40,000. Bonus eligibility and terms are subject to a separate Food Hero performance plan. .

Food Hero is committed to fair and inclusive hiring and welcomes qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds.