Case Manager – Youth Services Team Up (Bilingual) (Grant Funded)

Description

About Us

For over 46 years, A Safe Place has been a beacon of hope in Lake County, empowering survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking to rebuild their lives. Join our mission to provide safety, foster independence, and create brighter futures.

As part of our team, you’ll transform lives daily—whether by directly supporting survivors or building the systems that sustain our work. Together, we create a resilient community where every survivor finds hope, safety, and the strength to thrive.

Position Summary

The Team Up Case Manager provides trauma-informed direct services to youth and families impacted by gun violence in the Waukegan-North Chicago Corridor. This position ensures that residents at high risk of emotional, physical, educational, and behavioral challenges are connected to holistic wraparound resources. Through intake assessments, individualized case plans, and counseling, the Team Up Case Manager supports emotional healing and positive development, serving as a critical link between families, service providers, and A Safe Place’s mission to build a violence-free society.

Who Thrives in this Role

This position is perfect for compassionate professionals who are passionate about youth development and committed to breaking cycles of community violence. If you’re energized by field-based work, motivated by impact, and skilled at navigating trauma with care and cultural humility, this role was made for you.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree in social work, counseling, or a related field required. OR A bachelor’s degree with relevant experience may be considered
• Experience: 1–2 years of direct case management or counseling with youth exposed to violence, trauma, or systemic barriers
• Language: Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred; additional languages are a plus.
• Licensure/Certification: Must complete all agency-required training post-hire (e.g., 40-Hour Domestic Violence, IM+CANS).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Core Attributes

Knowledge:

• Youth development, wraparound services, and community engagement models
• Harm reduction, public health models, and violence intervention frameworks
• Domestic violence response models and systems of care for high-risk youth and families
• Local gang dynamics, firearm-related risk factors, and the community landscape of North Chicago and Waukegan
• Stakeholder coordination, coalition-building, and multi-agency collaboration best practices
• Community-based resources, referral networks, and local/state agency systems collaboration
• Case management systems, documentation standards, and grant reporting requirements (especially DHS REIMAGINE TIBHS)
• Confidentiality laws, HIPAA compliance, and mandatory reporting obligations

Skills:

• Case planning, individual/family counseling, and resource navigation
• Trauma-informed engagement and de-escalation
• Plan and lead events, public presentations, and outreach activities
• Conduct comprehensive client assessments and develop individualized service plans
• Build rapport and maintain trust with high-risk individuals and families
• Deliver effective crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and de-escalation support
• Coordinate multi-agency care plans and community-based service referrals
• Communicate clearly and professionally with youth, families, partners, and funders
• Accurately document case progress, services delivered, and grant-related data
• Proficient in Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, and client tracking systems

Abilities:

• Respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies and crisis situations
• Prioritize and manage a high-demand caseload while meeting shifting community needs
• Communicate consistently and professionally with diverse stakeholders
• Adapt to evolving circumstances, including outreach in high-risk environments
• Maintain empathy and professional boundaries in emotionally intense situations
• Think critically and solve problems under pressure
• Stay engaged and resilient in physically and emotionally demanding contexts
• Remain flexible with variable schedules, including evenings and occasional weekends

Other Characteristics:

• High emotional intelligence in navigating sensitive conversations
• Demonstrate cultural humility and is deeply committed to racial equity, inclusive practices across all communities, and allyship for LGBTQIA and BIPOC survivors
• Bring lived experience or authentic cultural credibility within North Chicago and Waukegan
• Grounded in the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice, and healing-centered care
• Operate with integrity, accountability, and discretion when handling sensitive information
• Sound ethical judgment in trauma-exposed environments
• Believe in the power of second chances and the transformative potential of community-based care
• Passionate about grassroots leadership, youth empowerment, and systemic change
• Thrive in dynamic environments with a flexible, responsive, and solutions-oriented mindset

Scheduled Hours

Schedule varies based on school and late-night schedule, may include: 

• Monday & Tuesday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Wednesday & Thursday 10:30 am - 6:30 pm
• Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Requires flexibility to meet the community, program, and client needs. Two late days weekly and occasional weekends.

Work Conditions & Requirements

• Environment: Work is conducted in a variety of settings, including professional offices, school campuses, and community events.
• Service Commitment: Staff are expected to maintain approximately 70% direct service (60% for supervisors) and participate in at least 70% of scheduled staff meetings.
• Shelter Coverage: All employees are required to support up to two holiday shifts per year in our emergency shelter.
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to navigate multiple locations and lift up to 25 pounds; reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.
• Travel: Frequent travel throughout Lake County is required for community-based work and partner coordination.

Compensation

The hourly rate for this position ranges from $22.00 to $27.00, commensurate with experience and aligned with the grant-funded pay scale.

Benefits

Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; a Flexible Spending Account (FSA); a 401(k) retirement plan; generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays; and access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Pre-Employment Requirements

Pre-employment requirements include DCFS and criminal background checks, fingerprinting, professional reference and license verification, and clearance through the sex offender registry and the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

EEOC & Employment Disclaimer

A Safe Place is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Employment with A Safe Place is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice, subject to applicable laws and policies.

Why A Safe Place?

Join A Safe Place and become the advocate, connector, and change-maker our youth and communities deserve. Apply today—and be part of transforming lives, starting with your own.