The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment.

General Summary:

Educational Skills Facilitator will be a part of a multidisciplinary team of staff providing employment and wraparound supports to individuals who have arrest and/or conviction records primarily residing in IDOC location of Mt/ Sterling IL. Quincy IL reduce recidivism, and restore communities. approached by local court representatives and community policing representatives seeking ways to partner. Funds have traditionally limited our services to those on parole. Now with the award of Restore. Renew. funds from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, the will play a crucial role in expanding the Belmont-Cragin Office’s capacity to provide more holistic services to a broader population to include anyone with an arrest or conviction record, providing greater access to Safer’s services of individuals residing in the Belmont-Cragin community.

This position is responsible for facilitating a wide variety of group sessions concerning a variety of topics, including, but not limited to: job readiness, trauma, coping skills, digital literacy, and basic skills designed to reflect the needs of the clients seeking to obtain employment or otherwise improve their current circumstance with the help of Safer Foundation programs and services. And receive referrals from the multidisciplinary team and will enroll clients in classes and coordinate with the referring staff person on participation and progress. this

will be flexible and client-centered adjusting curriculums, plans, and approaches to the presenting needs of the clients or environment. Upon direction from the Program Manager, will occasionally participate in team events and activities,

Performance Results Description

The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.

Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity and Evidence Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interface and Service

• Promptly respond to referrals from Safer staff of clients recommended for group classes.
• Ensure referral to enrollment metrics are met including a 24-72 hour enrollment from time of referral
• Screen referred clients for technology needs and make recommendations for such clients to be able to attend virtual or in person classes.
• Utilize Safer Skills Training Curriculums and other evidenced-based curricula to assemble a customized group plan and schedule.
• Implement one-off groups as situational topics arise
• Coordinate with the team by participating in staffings, trouble-shooting issues, reporting on progress, and highlighting successes.
• Identify guest speakers as appropriate to attend group sessions with consultation from the Program Manager and Clinical Operations Director.

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment

• Participate in occasional team-based outreach events as directed by the Program Manager.
• Communicate with the public during such activities representing Safer Foundation and services, engaging individuals and maximizing interest, addressing immediate needs when appropriate under the direction of the Program Manager and following up for long term engagement.
• Refer leads to appropriate staff member for follow-up.

Tracking, Document, and Reporting

• Document class schedules in the agency’s electronic record system.
• Routinely check the system for enrollment
• Monitor attendance and report back to referring staff person for no-shows.
• Coordinate with the Program Manager regarding meal costs for individuals attending in-person classes.
• Promptly issue certificates (within 24-48 hours) for clients that complete recommended group sessions and confirm completion with referring staff persons to signal the individual’s readiness to proceed with employment placements or other services at Safer.
• And any other duties needed to help drive to our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our organization’s values.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Passion for social justice.
• Ability to work with high-risk populations with complex needs.
• Client-centered ideology.
• Cultural competency (cultural and linguistic) as it relates to cultures and trauma experienced by formerly incarcerated individuals and as it relates to a predominantly Latino and African American client base.
• Unwavering commitment to quality services.
• Strong display of professionalism at all times.
• Strong ethical principles and display of personal and professional boundaries.
• Self-motivated, resourceful and outcome-driven with the capability to function in a fast-paced, start-up work environment.
• Adaptable and teachable; displays a willingness to learn and further develop skills
• Emotional Self-Awareness; Possesses knowledge of personal strengths, weakness, and triggers and the ability to self-regulate emotions.
• Able to operate in a team environment; engaging specific teams to navigate / escalate crisis situations in the moment; bringing potential resources to the team to help clients as whole, coordinating with leads on specific issues, and more.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to pay attention to detail, prioritize, and multitask.
• Must have knowledge of group dynamics, group safety and expertise to facilitate groups; experience facilitating groups concerning job readiness, CBT, and related topics with a similar population is desired.
• Group facilitation skills, and classroom (in person and virtual) management skills, including the ability to deal appropriately and professionally with possible crisis situations within the group.
• Knowledge of workforce development and employment services for chronically unemployed individuals or individuals experiencing poverty.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the needs of and barriers faced by individuals with arrest and conviction records, as it pertains to behavioral health, physical health needs, housing, expungements, justice-supervision, and more.
• Applied knowledge of motivational interviewing, mental health first aid, and de-escalation techniques is highly desired. Knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; and the assessment of behavioral disorders.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Previous experience working in the Belmont-Cragin community working with low-income individuals and/or families is a plus.
• Previous experience performing crisis intervention for a high-needs population is a plus.
• Experience using an electronic health record system and/or case management system desired.
• Hands-on experience and self-sufficiency with Microsoft productivity tools, including Outlook (for email), Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and online collaboration tools (video conferencing, Zoom/Teams, messaging).
• Fluency in English and Spanish is preferred.
• individuals currently or previously living in the Belmont-Cragin area or otherwise having experience and ties to the community are encouraged to apply.
• Individuals with criminal records and other lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field Plus
• A minimum of 1 years’ experience working at a social service organization or behavioral health provider as a group facilitator is required. Lived experience will be considered if the applicant can demonstrate applicable experience doing similar work.