Employment and Benefit Coordinator
Location: Chicago, IL 60605
Pay: $22.20 - $26.64 per hour ($46,176 - $55,411 annually)
Schedule: Full Time, Non-Exempt (40 hours/week)
Work Arrangement: On-site (Hybrid eligible after 6 months)
About Us: Volunteers of America is a national, faith-based nonprofit founded over 125 years ago. VOA Illinois delivers strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive programs across the state.
We are a certified Great Place to Work and proudly promote from within — over 50% of our workforce has advanced into new roles within the organization. We continue to innovate and evolve based on the needs of the communities we serve. Check out our careers page to find more opportunities at Careers - VOA Illinois.
Program Overview: VOA Illinois’ Rapid Rehousing Program provides short-term rental assistance and services. The goals are to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, and stay housed. It is offered without preconditions such as employment, income, absence of criminal record or sobriety, and the resources and services are typically tailored to the needs of the participant.
Position Summary: The position provides comprehensive employment support to participants by developing individualized employment plans, assessing job readiness and barriers, and offering career counseling. It also assists participants with navigating public benefit systems, including SSA and Illinois ABE programs. Throughout all responsibilities, the role upholds the mission and values of VOA Illinois and participates in community outreach and resource engagement to enhance participant success.
Work Environment & Schedule:
- Full-time, in-office position averaging 40 hours per week
- Community-based travel required
- Valid driver’s license required
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Physical demands include sedentary work, computer use, and frequent communication with clients, colleagues, and partners involved in client support.
- Must be able to travel within the community, transport clients when necessary, and assist clients in and out of vehicles
What You’ll Do:
- 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.
- Assist in facilitating 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.
- Assist participants in navigating the Illinois ABE website for SNAP, healthcare, or cash assistance enrollment process.
- Uphold the mission and values of VOA of Illinois at all times.
Qualifications
Required:
- 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
Preferred:
- Knowledge of local social service and behavioral health resources
- Experience with advocacy, intake, care coordination, or crisis intervention
Compensation and Benefits:
We offer a competitive benefits package including:
- BCBS IL Medical Dental, Vision
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA)
VOA Illinois provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal or local law.
Reasonable accommodations will be considered to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities upon request.
