About the Organization:
New Moms strengthens families by partnering with young moms as they progress toward housing stability, economic mobility, and family well-being. New Moms is a nonprofit organization with an $8 million budget and a staff of over 60. At New Moms, young moms, 24 and under, take powerful first steps toward economic mobility and family well-being. Our 2-Generation approach puts families experiencing poverty in control of their goals and unleashes their potential. New Moms’ headquarters is located on the west side of Chicago in the Austin neighborhood. Our East Garfield Park location includes all Workforce Development programming as well as our social enterprise, Bright Endeavors, which provides paid transitional jobs for young moms. We also have an office in Oak Park serving the near western suburbs.
Our Commitment to Equity:
New Moms prioritizes racial equity as a strategic and organizational imperative. Strong candidates will be committed to integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values into their work goals and will be evaluated on their impact.
About the Job:
The Supportive Employment Specialist is a key member of the Workforce Development team whose primary is responsibility is providing comprehensive, individualized case management and coaching to young moms in the program. This includes connecting families with resources, goal planning, assistance with overcoming obstacles, and providing support to assist young moms in obtaining permanent, high-quality employment. This position supports young moms so they can maximize the training, coaching, and job placement opportunities available. The Supportive Employment Specialist will champion all New Moms values including our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, in both strategic planning and performance. This role is full-time and works primary at our E. Garfield Park location. Starting Salary: $44,000-$46,800 DOE
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Provides individualized case management to a caseload of young moms with various service intensity levels based on program phase
- Through a strengths-based approach, conducts thorough assessments of families, utilizing prescribed assessment tools on established schedule; service planning which identifies individualized career and education plan with goals, tasks and timelines that support the achievement of permanent employment of each participant
- Provides consistent and regular contact and engagement to support and monitor individual plans, addressing barriers to employment and retention as well as educational and training goals, modifying and redirecting participant career plans as required
- Supports participant transitions between all phases of programming from the classroom, transitional employment, job search, and employment retention. Service intensity is based on program phase and needs and includes follow-up retention support for a minimum of one year after program exit.
- Performs crisis prevention and intervention as needed
- Collaborates with classroom and production trainers to address participant performance issues, barriers to success, and to celebrate achievement
- Provides group and individualized coaching and training on family well-being topics including but not limited to parenting, financial capabilities and progress towards personal, career and/or education goals
- Compiles statistical information and completes internal reports to track program progress
- Participant records, including case notes, files, and other pertinent documentation is completed in a timely and accurate manner in agency and various funder databases
- Upholds the New Moms’ Executive Skills Coaching approach which is grounded in racial equity
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required; degree in area of counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, children and families or related human service field preferred
- More than one year of work experience in workforce development/case management preferred
- Relevant experience in the area of case management or Workforce Development programming preferred
- Familiarity and experience working with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA), or Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) strongly preferred
- Experience Microsoft operating systems and database management systems
- Valid driver’s license, with safe driving record and valid insurance
- Access to a car and/or ability to use public transportation
COVID-19 Modifications:
- New Moms employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption through the Director of HR.
- This is an on-site position with a primary office at our E Garfield Park location. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule which could include up to 1 day per week of remote work on Fridays if requested. All staff are required to be in the office on Tuesdays, which is our company Core Day.
New Moms’ Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees including health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; matching on retirement savings up to 3%; 15 paid holidays; and generous paid time off. We also offer several unique benefits to New Moms: discounts on Bright Endeavors products, free optional spiritual direction services, and half days on Fridays in the summer. Our Flexible Work Options policy allows for staff to work some hours remotely once training is complete. For licensed employees, you will receive over 20 free CEU's during onboarding and an additional 1.5 free CEU's/month throughout employment. We promote professional development and provide time for you to attend other external trainings opportunities as well.