Case Manager Specialist

Agency name: Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO)

Job title: Safe Homes Case Manager Specialist

Reports to: Safe Homes Senior Program Manager

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Salary: $64,000 - $67,000

About the Job Position:

The Case Manager Specialist supports the implementation and growth of ALSO’s Safe Homes’ direct services programming, designed to serve high-risk individuals experiencing domestic violence and other forms of interpersonal violence, living in neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by community violence.

The Case Manager Specialist is an ALSO’s Safe Homes department member and reports to its Senior Program Manager. This position advances ALSO’s mission, vision, and values by contributing to the planning, implementation, and long-term sustainability of Safe Homes’ direct services programming designed to support the safety, economic stability, health, and overall wellness of the community members it serves.

Key Duties:

• Coordinate and attend community outreach and public awareness activities to increase awareness of program services and gender-based violence in general.
• Receive and triage service requests and ensure these are responded to promptly, professionally, and effectively.
• Complete client intake and assessments for appropriate intervention and referrals, adhering to program model fidelity and guidelines, including those governing client privacy and confidentiality.
• Ensure effective coordination with ALSO’s Legal Services and Safe Streets Outreach & Case Management Teams to ensure the flow of internal referrals to Safe Homes program services and vice versa; as well as the delivery of comprehensive services to clients.
• In coordination with the Safe Homes Case Manager, maintain a caseload of up to 10 clients providing the following responsive services, including but not limited to:
  • crisis intervention services to clients experiencing immediate safety concerns;
  • emotional support and safety planning;
  • financial assistance that helps clients meet their most basic needs and supports safety and healing;
  • assistance applying for public benefits;
  • assistance intervening with an employer, creditor, landlord, or academic institution;
  • transportation assistance;
  • interpreter services;
  • employment assistance (e.g., help creating a resume, completing a job application, building job skills);
  • education assistance (e.g., help completing a GED or college application); and
  • advocate on behalf of clients to access essential services, resources, and other supports.
• Co-facilitate and lead the logistical coordination of client support groups, including related purchases.
• Support clients on Safe Homes Case Manager’s caseload during a leave of absence or when troubleshooting or specialized areas of assistance are required to ensure optimal service and minimize interruptions.
• Collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and affiliates to ensure access and coordination of holistic client services.
• Lead the implementation of client and community feedback activities and data collection.
• Maintain adequate and accurate client data and related documentation.
• Support in the preparation for and participate in site visits, audits, monitoring, and reporting activities required by program funders.
• Support the coordination of program-related training activities and follow-up as needed.
• Attend and contribute to internal and external staff meetings, training, and professional development activities as required.
• Keep up to date with information and tools required for the job.

Qualifications:

• Experience (2 yrs+) providing domestic violence services, case management, social services or equivalent education.
• Experience (2 yrs+) facilitating peace circles, support groups, meetings or other similar activities.
• Experience conducting community outreach and engagement activities.
• Knowledge of practices, strategies and approaches related to addressing gender-based violence (e.g, domestic and sexual violence).
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and client-centered services practices and approaches.
• Understanding of root causes of violence and interventions, and commitment to addressing these.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to nonviolence, restorative justice, and trauma-informed practices and approaches.
• Well-organized, self-motivated, resourceful, and flexible to meet client and organizational needs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds, and offer compassionate and timely follow-up.
• Detailed-oriented with experience in data collection, documentation, and meeting deadlines consistently.
• Proficiency in computer applications (e.g., Google Workspace) and utilization of online resources to meet client and organizational needs.
• Ability to build strong relationships with high-risk individuals from various ethnic, racial, economic, and educational backgrounds, both collegiately and externally.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion, and conduct work in a professional manner.
• Ability to understand and follow safety/security practices.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to accept/apply feedback and constructive criticism.
• Ability to work in high-pressure situations, demonstrating emotional maturity, good judgment, integrity, tolerance of differing viewpoints and beliefs, and strong commitment to nonviolence.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Must be willing to travel locally and have a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Lived experience or familiarity with street life and culture.
• Experience providing (3 years+) services to survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault.
• Experience working (3 years+) in a non-profit organization or government.
• 40 hours of Domestic Violence and/or Sexual Assault Training.
• Experience (3 years+) with restorative justice practices, including relentless engagement of high-risk and hard-to-reach populations.
• Familiarity with the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) screening tool for previous traumatic experiences (e.g., child abuse, childhood sexual assault, exposure to violence), and the Danger Assessment screening tool for current domestic and sexual violence.
• Familiarity with neighborhoods, services & organizations located within ALSO’s service area.
• De-escalation, emergency, and crisis response strategies and practices.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services (Sociology, Social Work) or equivalent training

Benefits:

This is a benefits-eligible position. Benefits offered include:

• Medical and Dental Insurance for you and dependent(s); 100% of monthly BCBS HMO medical and Guardian dental for staff employer covered and 80% for dependents along with the cost of HMO if staff want to enroll in BCBS PPO medical and dental - same with dependents employer covered
• Life Insurance Group Standard 100% employer covered
• Life Insurance Personal to purchase
• 24 hours of paid holiday time
• Vacation and Sick time available, when accrued, and 3 Personal days immediately available upon hire date
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which includes limited free counseling benefit for you and dependent(s)
• Health Club membership discount for participating providers
• 401k & FSA (Flexible spending account) available for self-enrollment after 3 months of employment with a 5% match
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to Wellness Program activities for ALSO staff

About ALSO:

Established in 1998 and headquartered in the Northwest Chicago neighborhood of Humboldt Park, the Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO) is a community-based nonprofit working to end violence and abuse. Our mission is to work in partnership with people living in risk of violence to promote safer streets and homes. We recognize that violence in homes and streets can be connected, and we work to end both. Our vision: Safe Homes, Safe Streets.

• Our Culture: Everyone who is part of the ALSO culture — from our staff to our partners to the individuals and communities that we serve — operates on the basis of a uniquely lived experience and that people are the experts in their own lives. Our collaborative alliances celebrate these differences, utilizing each unique background and expertise to create a cross-programmatic knowledge base with deep layers of meaning. Vulnerability to violence takes many forms. Therefore, we are committed to providing services with accessibility for culturally-, and linguistically-specific groups, and to providing services to those most at risk of violence.

• Our Programs: ALSO works to end violence and abuse in several ways.

At a local level, ALSO provides violence street outreach, case management, and victim services to community members impacted by community violence. To those experiencing domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, ALSO offers specialized case management and legal services to address their unique needs, including those that support their safety and healing. These services are available to 9 neighborhoods that ALSO serves on the West and Northwest sides of Chicago.

Deeply rooted in local community, ALSO’s impact extends nationally. Over the last 18 years, ALSO has provided training, consultation, and resource sharing through funding from the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). These services are available to government agencies and nonprofit organizations nationwide, currently receiving grant funding to address domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in their communities and jurisdictions.

Application Process:

Interested job candidates should email asantostefano@also-chicago.org with the following attachments: a current resume and a cover letter that discusses the candidate’s interest in the position and why they believe they are a good fit. The email should contain the subject line: Safe Homes Case Manager Specialist.