English as a Second Language Counselor/Case Management

SGA YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES NFP•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Career Exploration and Employment Preparation Program (CEEP) will provide pre-apprenticeship services, offer access to educational support, occupational skills training, leadership development, and offer high-quality post program placement opportunities for 18-24-year-olds. The ESL Instructor & Case Manager is responsible for providing culturally responsive English language instruction, individualized case management, career exploration support, and barrier reduction services to young adults ages 18–24 participating in the Career Exploration and Employment Preparation Program (CEEP). The position will support English Language Learners in improving workplace communication, navigating training and employment opportunities, developing career readiness skills, and successfully transitioning into post-secondary education, advanced training, industry-recognized credential programs, and/or permanent employment. The ESL Instructor & Case Manager will maintain participant engagement, monitor progress and outcomes, coordinate supportive services, and ensure timely and accurate documentation in accordance with SGA Youth & Family Services and DFSS requirements.

Requirements

Experience working one-on-one with at-risk youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
Ability to display sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences present in the service population.
Knowledge of the job market and career development resources.
Evening and weekend availability required.
Must have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required for work-related travel.
Must be able to remain stationary 50% of the time.
Must be able to frequently move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
Must be able to transport oneself to and from home visits.
Occasionally ascends/descends stairs.
Constantly moves to assist during program activities.
At times, it may be required to lift up to 25 lbs. for various needs.
Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

Experience in case management or job counseling is often preferred.
Bachelor’s Degree in social work, criminal justice, or related field, preferred.
Experience working with young adults 18-24 years of age, preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide individual and small-group English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction based on participants' identified learning needs, language proficiency, educational goals, and career interests.
Assess participants' English language skills and identify areas requiring additional instruction and support.
Develop and implement individualized learning plans and instructional strategies to support measurable English language improvement.
Incorporate workplace English, career-related vocabulary, communication skills, digital literacy, and industry-specific terminology into instruction.
Assist participants with understanding workplace communication, verbal and written instructions, employment documents, applications, training materials, and other career-related information.
Provide instruction and coaching to strengthen participants' speaking, listening, reading, writing, and workplace communication skills.
Maintain knowledge of and utilize the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) or other required assessment tools to assess participant progress and outcomes.
Administer required assessments and maintain accurate documentation of participant attendance, instructional hours, assessment results, progress, and educational outcomes.
Collaborate with workforce development staff and training partners to ensure ESL instruction supports participants' career pathways and employment goals.
Conduct participant intake, assessments, and ongoing needs evaluations to identify educational, employment, and supportive service needs.
Develop individualized service and career plans with participants that identify short- and long-term goals, barriers, action steps, and appropriate referrals.
Provide individualized case management, coaching, mentoring, and ongoing participant engagement to promote persistence, program completion, and successful transitions.
Identify barriers to participation and employment and connect participants to appropriate internal and external supportive services, including but not limited to transportation, childcare, housing, food assistance, technology, education, mental health, and other community resources.
Maintain regular contact with participants through individual meetings, phone calls, text messages, virtual communication, and other approved methods.
Conduct follow-up and re-engagement efforts with participants who become disengaged or are at risk of dropping out of the program.
Provide crisis intervention and appropriate referrals when necessary, within the scope of the position and agency policies.
Maintain confidentiality and handle participant information in accordance with SGA policies, funder requirements, and applicable privacy standards.
Support participant recruitment, outreach, enrollment, and referral activities as assigned.
Establish and maintain a structured process for receiving, reviewing, and responding to participant referrals.
Promptly acknowledge referrals, confirm participant eligibility, initiate participant contact within established program timeframes, and document all outreach and enrollment activities.
Support participant orientation and provide ongoing information regarding program expectations, available services, training opportunities, and employment pathways.
Maintain consistent communication with referral partners and internal program staff to support timely enrollment and service delivery.
Support participants in identifying career interests, educational goals, training opportunities, and employment pathways aligned with their individual service plans.
Prepare participants for industry-recognized credentials, advanced training, post-secondary education, and competitive, permanent employment.
Collaborate with Job Developers, employers, training providers, educational institutions, and other workforce partners to support participant transitions and outcomes.
Assist participants with employment readiness activities, including resume development, interview preparation, job search strategies, professional communication, and workplace expectations.
Support program goals related to participant placement into permanent employment, advanced training, credential programs, or post-secondary education.
Conduct follow-up with participants after placement to monitor retention, address barriers, and support continued success.
Track and document employment and education/training outcomes, including retention for a minimum of 91 days, as required by the program and funder.
Support with placing a minimum of 20% of enrolled participants into permanent employment or enrolled into an advanced training or post-secondary education program annually (12-months). At least 120 participants must enter permanent employment or be enrolled into a training or education program aligned with their goals.
Maintain complete, accurate, and timely participant case files in accordance with SGA, DFSS, and other applicable funder requirements.
Enter and maintain participant data, services, attendance, assessments, case notes, referrals, training activities, credentials, employment outcomes, and other required information within established reporting timelines.
Complete daily data entry and other required reporting in accordance with program requirements.
Maintain accurate case notes documenting participant contacts, services provided, progress, barriers, referrals, and follow-up activities.
Maintain compliance with participant files, attendance records, bus card logs, timesheets, assessments, and all required program documentation.
Assist the Workforce Development Manager and program leadership with the collection, review, and reporting of program outcomes and performance data.
Monitor participant progress toward established educational, training, credential, and employment goals.
Meet or exceed performance benchmarks established by SGA Youth & Family Services and/or the funder.
Participate in file reviews, monitoring activities, audits, quality assurance processes, and corrective action plans as required.
Collaborate closely with the Workforce Development Manager, Job Developers, Program Staff, Leadership Team, employers, training providers, educational institutions, and community partners.
Participate in case conferencing and team meetings to coordinate services and address participant barriers.
Assist with the planning and implementation of hiring events, job fairs, career exploration activities, employer engagement events, workshops, and other program activities.
Attend and actively participate in mandatory staff meetings, professional development opportunities, trainings, and funder-required meetings.
Represent SGA Youth & Family Services professionally at community events, partner meetings, recruitment activities, and other external functions.
Perform other duties as assigned.