Lawrence Hall
Job Description
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 LGBTQ Life Skills Educator reports directly to the LGBTQ Site Coordinator. Provide intensive individual and group life skills training to 5+ LGBTQ young people aged 17 ½ to 20 years old at the assigned site. Teach basic independent living skills to young people in order for them to be successful after discharge from the program. 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. Documentation of behaviors and actions using the computer. The position requires the flexibility to adjust hours in order to provide coverage at the site in the absence of other employees as needed. Weekend and holiday hours included.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms. Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants Home Management - instructs basic household management - how to clean, proper nutrition, shopping, meal planning and cooking Self-Care - teaching appropriate skills related to grooming, dress habits and social skills Time Management - Help young people organize and develop a routine - facilitate completion of daily responsibilities Facilitates psycho-educations groups Facilitates life skills groups Develops team building activities Documents all services provided Facilitates community support services Creates an affirming and supportive culture within the home Support linkage to supportive community based services for youth Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month period Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery Participate in staffing with team and young people for assessment, treatment planning and review Transport young people in agency vehicle to various community resources, schools, etc Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned Other duties as assigned
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to perform keen observation of young people by seeing, hearing and verbally communicating Ability to walk up and down between two to four flights of stairs without assistance several times during the course of an 8-hour shift Ability to lift a maximum of 50lbs Assist in placement moves
QUALIFICATIONS No less than 25 years of age with an Associate's Degree or at least 60 hours of college in Human Services, or a related field Will be at least 25 years of age if they do not have an Associate's Degree or have 60 hours of college At least one (1) year experience working with older youth in a child welfare setting Preferred Experience in providing direct care to the LGBTQ+ population as an ally or lived experience Knowledge of word processing and basic computer functions; intermediate to advanced level of computer skills required 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 development, adolescent issues, positive youth
development/strength
based approach preferred Valid Illinois Driver's license No history of child abuse or neglect Ability to pass background and drug screen
WORKING CONDITIONS: Exposure to behavior problems that may include physical acting out requiring safe physical management skills Exposure to young people with complex mental health issues and/or disorders Exposure to young people with various states of cleanliness and hygiene
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 . Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the necessary skills and abilities. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not have experience in all areas of essential functions. We look forward to your application.
This position meets the FLSA requirements for
Non-Exempt .
Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
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 LGBTQ Life Skills Educator reports directly to the LGBTQ Site Coordinator. Provide intensive individual and group life skills training to 5+ LGBTQ young people aged 17 ½ to 20 years old at the assigned site. Teach basic independent living skills to young people in order for them to be successful after discharge from the program. 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. Documentation of behaviors and actions using the computer. The position requires the flexibility to adjust hours in order to provide coverage at the site in the absence of other employees as needed. Weekend and holiday hours included.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms. Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants Home Management - instructs basic household management - how to clean, proper nutrition, shopping, meal planning and cooking Self-Care - teaching appropriate skills related to grooming, dress habits and social skills Time Management - Help young people organize and develop a routine - facilitate completion of daily responsibilities Facilitates psycho-educations groups Facilitates life skills groups Develops team building activities Documents all services provided Facilitates community support services Creates an affirming and supportive culture within the home Support linkage to supportive community based services for youth Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month period Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery Participate in staffing with team and young people for assessment, treatment planning and review Transport young people in agency vehicle to various community resources, schools, etc Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned Other duties as assigned
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to perform keen observation of young people by seeing, hearing and verbally communicating Ability to walk up and down between two to four flights of stairs without assistance several times during the course of an 8-hour shift Ability to lift a maximum of 50lbs Assist in placement moves
QUALIFICATIONS No less than 25 years of age with an Associate's Degree or at least 60 hours of college in Human Services, or a related field Will be at least 25 years of age if they do not have an Associate's Degree or have 60 hours of college At least one (1) year experience working with older youth in a child welfare setting Preferred Experience in providing direct care to the LGBTQ+ population as an ally or lived experience Knowledge of word processing and basic computer functions; intermediate to advanced level of computer skills required 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 development, adolescent issues, positive youth
development/strength
based approach preferred Valid Illinois Driver's license No history of child abuse or neglect Ability to pass background and drug screen
WORKING CONDITIONS: Exposure to behavior problems that may include physical acting out requiring safe physical management skills Exposure to young people with complex mental health issues and/or disorders Exposure to young people with various states of cleanliness and hygiene
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 . Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the necessary skills and abilities. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not have experience in all areas of essential functions. We look forward to your application.
This position meets the FLSA requirements for
Non-Exempt .
Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V