Job Readiness Coach/Case Management

SGA YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES NFP • Chicago, IL

6d • 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 Job Readiness Coach & Case Manager is responsible for providing comprehensive job readiness instruction, individualized case management, career coaching, and supportive services to young adults ages 18–24 participating in the Career Exploration and Employment Preparation Program (CEEP). The position will support participants in developing the skills, knowledge, confidence, and professional behaviors necessary to successfully enter and retain employment, advance into occupational training, earn industry-recognized credentials, or pursue post-secondary education.

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

Responsibilities

• Deliver structured Job Readiness Training (JRT) to enrolled participants using an approved curriculum and instructional approach aligned with CEEP program goals and workforce development best practices.
• Facilitate individual and group-based workshops designed to strengthen participants' employment readiness, workplace behaviors, communication, professionalism, financial literacy, digital literacy, career exploration, and other essential employability skills.
• Support participants in identifying career interests, strengths, skills, educational needs, and employment goals.
• Assist participants with developing resumes, preparing for interviews, completing job applications, conducting job searches, and strengthening professional communication skills.
• Facilitate participant access to required Job Readiness Training and monitor attendance, participation, engagement, and successful completion.
• Adapt coaching and instructional strategies to meet the individual needs of participants, including those experiencing barriers to education and employment.
• Provide individualized and strengths-based case management services to support participant engagement, persistence, program completion, and successful transitions into employment, education, or training.
• Conduct participant intake, assessments, and ongoing needs evaluations to identify educational, employment, and supportive service needs.
• Develop individualized service plans and career plans that identify participant goals, barriers, action steps, referrals, and measurable outcomes.
• Identify barriers that may impact participant participation, program completion, or employment and connect participants with appropriate internal and external supportive services.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, encouragement, and ongoing follow-up to promote participant engagement and long-term success.
• Maintain regular contact with assigned participants through individual meetings, telephone calls, text messages, virtual communication, and other approved communication methods.
• Conduct outreach and re-engagement efforts for participants who become disengaged or are at risk of not completing the program.
• Participate in case conferencing and collaborate with program staff to address participant barriers and coordinate services.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle participant information in accordance with SGA policies and applicable funder and privacy requirements.
• Support participant recruitment, outreach, enrollment, orientation, and referral activities as assigned.
• Establish and maintain a structured process for receiving, reviewing, and responding to participant referrals.
• Promptly acknowledge referrals, support eligibility verification, initiate participant contact within established timeframes, and document all outreach and enrollment activities.
• Assist with participant orientations and ensure participants understand program expectations, available services, attendance requirements, training opportunities, and employment pathways.
• Maintain consistent communication with participants and referral partners to support timely enrollment and service delivery.
• Support participants in identifying and pursuing employment, advanced training, credential, and post-secondary education opportunities aligned with their individual goals.
• Collaborate with Job Developers, employers, training providers, educational institutions, and community partners to support participant transitions and positive outcomes.
• Support the achievement of CEEP performance goals related to employment placement, advanced training, credential attainment, and post-secondary education.
• Monitor training and employment placements through regular check-ins, progress reviews, coaching, and issue resolution to support successful completion and retention.
• Conduct follow-up with participants after employment or training placement to monitor progress and retention for a minimum of 91 days, or as otherwise required by the funder.
• Assist participants in resolving challenges that may impact employment or training retention.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely participant files in accordance with SGA, DFSS, and other applicable funder requirements.
• Enter and maintain participant data, services, attendance, Job Readiness Training activities, assessments, case notes, referrals, credentials, employment outcomes, and other required information within established reporting timelines.
• Complete required data entry and documentation, including weekly reporting requirements, in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintain detailed and current case notes documenting participant contacts, services provided, progress, barriers, referrals, and follow-up activities.
• Monitor and track participant progress toward established service plan, education, training, credential, and employment goals.
• Maintain compliance with participant files, attendance records, bus card logs, timesheets, and all other required program documentation.
• Participate in file reviews, monitoring activities, audits, quality assurance processes, and corrective action efforts as required.
• Assist the Workforce Development Manager with collecting, reviewing, and reporting program outcomes and performance data.
• Meet established performance benchmarks and productivity expectations as determined by SGA Youth & Family Services and/or the funder.
• Collaborate with the Workforce Development Manager, Job Developers, ESL Instructor/Case Managers, program staff, leadership, employers, training providers, educational institutions, and community partners.
• Assist with the coordination and monitoring of approved work-based learning, training, and employment opportunities.
• Participate in employer and community partner activities as assigned to support participant career exploration and workforce development opportunities.
• Attend and actively participate in mandatory staff meetings, professional development activities, SGA trainings, and funder-required trainings.
• Represent SGA Youth & Family Services professionally at community events, partner meetings, recruitment activities, and other program-related functions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 403(b) retirement savings plan
• paid vacation
• sick leave
• an Employee Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree