SUMMARY
The Group & Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for delivering structured group sessions to youth in school and community settings, maintaining a caseload of participants, and supporting overall engagement through individual sessions, program-hosted activities, and family events. This role also facilitates group intakes, manages participant documentation, and collaborates closely with community partners. Additional responsibilities include providing backup crisis response support, participating in peer session observations, attending community events, and collecting youth satisfaction feedback to inform service quality.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following, and other duties may be assigned as needed.
- Maintain an active caseload generally ranging from 15 to 20 participants, with adjustments made based on program needs and as directed by the Program Supervisor
- Organize and conduct group sessions in schools or community settings
- Facilitate group intakes and manage participant documentation
- Plan and execute program-hosted activities and family engagement events
- Collaboration with Community Partners
- Provide backup crisis response support as needed
- Peer Session Observation
- Coordinate and attend community partner events
- Youth Satisfaction surveys for group services
Training Requirements:
- Complete all Core Curriculum training(s) required for the position.
- Comply with IDHS program standards and requirements for CCBYS
- Comply with the State of Illinois-mandated reporting law.
- Complete all required Federal, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and Agency Core Curriculum and Mandated Reporter training, meetings, and workshops as required.
- Complete all other duties as assigned.
TRAUMA INFORMED CARE
Ensure that all employees are using a trauma-informed approach to all their work duties that include the “5 S’s”. This approach sets a high priority for staff and clients:
- Safety (physical and emotional safety)
- Self-regulation (ability to manage one’s own emotions so they do not interfere with the helping process)
- Supportiveness (building relationships with clients that are respectful and caring)
- Strengths (seeking to identify positive traits of all clients)
- Self-care (resolve any secondary stress reactions)
7 Essential Ingredients (7ei)
- Prevalence
- Impact
- Perspective Shift
- Regulation
- Relationship
- Reason to Be
- Caregiver Capacity
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Competitive Pay $24.04
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Disability & Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation, Sick Days, and Holidays
- Retirement Plan
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employee Discounts on services like cell phones, restaurants, and more
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree (BA/BS/BSW) required. Previous experience with at-risk youth preferred.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
Must be available to work evenings and weekends and flexible in scheduling. Will be required to transport clients in their vehicle. Must be able to accept and incorporate constructive feedback.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid Illinois driver’s license with a clear driving record.
Documentation verifying current automobile insurance.
.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in BA, BS, or BSW
- Previous experience with at-risk youth
- Availability to work evenings and weekends
- Flexible scheduling
- Ability to transport clients in the employee's vehicle
- Ability to accept and incorporate constructive feedback
- Valid Illinois driver's license with a clear driving record
- Current automobile insurance documentation
- Completion of required Core Curriculum, IDHS, federal, mandated reporter, meetings, and workshop training
What We Do
Aunt Martha’s is a family of more than 550 staff and volunteers. We are health care providers, social workers, educators, counselors, and advocates. We are as diverse as the people and communities we serve. We are parents who know what it is to have a sick, hurting or scared child. We have relied on the help of others to overcome our own challenges. We honor people’s strengths, resourcefulness and resilience. We offer compassion. We provide supportive, professional care. We are a team – skilled and specialized. From the psychiatrist treating children in downstate Illinois, to the dental hygienist caring for a homeless person in Kane County; and from the therapist helping a youth in crisis on the streets of Chicago, to the doctor delivering a baby in Kankakee. Our staff are the best and the brightest in the field. We are all Care Coordinators – intensely dedicated to our patients and clients, connecting each person with exactly what they need, from the services our organization provides to the specialized care offered by our collaborating partners. We are Aunt Martha’s.
