Employment & Benefit Coordinator

About the role

Volunteers of America is a national, faith-based nonprofit delivering strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive programs across Illinois. The Employment and Benefit Coordinator supports participants in obtaining housing quickly and increasing self-sufficiency.

Responsibilities

• Develop an individualized employment plan and strategies for achieving gainful employment with participants and members of their household.
• Assess levels of employability, job readiness, and other potential barriers to employment, such as mental health and/or substance abuse.
• Write, edit, update, and distribute cover letters and resumes.
• Provide career counseling and job coaching.
• Direct participants to additional resources and services that would enhance their marketability and background credentials.
• Advocate for, connect, and introduce participants to potential employers.
• Maintain and update the program database, case notes, and resources.
• Develop and lead an internal training program for participants.
• Absorb and facilitate employment and benefit fairs.
• Cultivate a pool of key employment partners who will prioritize program participants for job openings.
• Generate at least 10 viable employment interviews per month for participants through key employment partnerships, referrals, or other resources.
• Maintain an active list of job openings in order to match employment opportunities to participants.
• Monitor and document employment activity and retention for the first six months of employment.
• Attend all community-based activities as needed and appropriate outreach events (i.e. job fairs, and mental health/substance abuse treatment trainings).
• Interview participants to determine eligibility for benefits and assists them with enrolling and navigating the SSA website for SS benefit programs.
• Helps gather requisite evidence from medical, community, and other sources to support benefits determinations by Disability Determination Services (DDS) of the SSA and any other state benefits.
• Aid participants in navigating the Illinois ABE website for SNAP, healthcare, or cash assistance enrollment process.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field
• 2+ years of experience in case management, employment counseling and job development
• Experience providing trauma-informed care and connecting clients to community resources
• Strong communication, collaboration, and conflict de-escalation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems

Benefits

• BCBS IL Medical, Dental, Vision
• 403(b)/403(b) Matching
• Paid-Time Off
• Life Insurance
• PSLF Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Referral program