Hybrid Firearm Restraining Order Navigator en Lake County, IL

About the Department

Are you looking for a challenging role within an organization that provides rewarding compensation, an excellent benefit package, and career growth opportunities? If so, Lake County Government is the place for you. Comprised of nearly 3,000 employees, it is our goal to positively serve the residents of Lake County while working with a purpose. We believe our employees should take pride in the work they accomplish while truly respecting a collaborative work environment.

The Firearms Restraining Order (FRO) Navigator will work with community organizations and county departments to promote education and restrict access to firearms by children and individuals demonstrating dangerous behaviors. This position will support the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative’s (GVPI) ongoing community engagement and risk reduction efforts. A primary goal of this position is to support family members, mental health professionals, educators, and community organizations through the Firearms Restraining Order process to temporarily remove firearms from children and individuals at risk of harming themselves or others by preventing firearm homicides, suicides, and accidental deaths and injuries.

Position Duties

• Provide individual support and case management to civilian petitioners, family members, victims, and some respondents and some respondents as they navigate and access available resources in Lake County (counseling, transportation, housing, etc.).

• Offer feedback as the GVPI team crafts our messaging and public education materials about FRO's in a trauma-informed way.

• Work directly with the Domestic Violence Prosecutors and Domestic Violence Victim Specialists in our office as well as Law Enforcement to ensure that survivors of domestic violence are aware of the FRO and understand the process of how to file one.

• Assist in translating the complexity of the Firearm Restraining Order Law to lay audiences and community organizations.

• Develop, track, and execute a notification system for families and intimate partners to track the expiration of FROs to provide notice to intimate partners and families upon expiration of FROs.

• Partner with SAO Data Analyst, IL State Police, and Northwestern Researchers to track and analyze outcomes for the firearm restraining orders.

• Create and develop audience-specific educational materials on firearm risk reduction for key stakeholders, including educators, mental health professionals, social workers, and physicians.

• Create a regular newsletter/email with updates about statute changes, different components of the law, FRO reminders, resources, and trainings targeted to physicians, educators, mental health professionals, etc.

• Collaborate with GVPI staff and other SAO staff to identify grant opportunities to increase capacity around improving Firearm Restraining Order implementation and firearm risk reduction education.

• Staff GVPI/SAO events and distribute educational materials on Firearms Restraining Orders, Clear & Present Danger, and Karina’s Law.

• Design and distribute public-facing education materials in consultation with State’s Attorney’s Office Communications staff.

• Prepare, create, and disseminate public information campaigns on Firearm Restraining Orders, Clear & Present Danger, and Karina’s Law.

• Meet with other State’s Attorney’s Offices and other agencies working on Extreme Risk Protection Orders/Red Flags around the state and nationwide to explore best practices around the country.

• Conduct presentations to organizations, schools, the public, and more with the GVPI Team.

• Attend conferences and other trainings when possible and beneficial to the work.

• Participate in weekly GVPI Team meetings and other SAO meetings as necessary.

• Be knowledgeable of resources in the area and provide referrals to services when needed.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Ability to collect information and data, establish facts and communicate accurately.

• Ability to work independently, handle conflict and deal with demands, pressure and short deadlines.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks and identify priorities.

• Advanced knowledge of community resources and social agencies.

• Advanced knowledge of the criminal justice system and court procedures.

• Advanced understanding of social and economic problems also known as root causes.

• Advanced knowledge of suicide assessment and emergency response.

• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.

• Ability to analyze problems and develop effective solutions.

• Ability to handle difficult situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and impartially.

• Ability to secure the cooperation of others in difficult situations.

• Ability to interview effectively and evaluate information obtained.

• Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and write correspondence.

• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, co-workers and the public both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to communicate with people of various socioeconomic and racial backgrounds.

• Ability to work successfully with minors and adults under trying circumstances.

• Ability to establish effective working relationships with co-workers, court officials and community agencies.

• Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

• Ability to attend to details, and exercise sound judgment.

• Ability to observe situations analytically and objectively and to record them clearly and completely.

• Ability to provide training for staff, law enforcement, and community agencies.

• Ability to maintain confidential material.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to use a computer. Good knowledge of PC operations and software (word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet) as needed to perform duties is required

Education and/or Other Requirements:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, human services, public health, public policy, or a related field.

• Minimum two years of experience in a professional position or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Possession of a valid Driver’s License, supplemented by a satisfactory driving record.

• Successful completion of a background investigation and criminal history check.

• Ability to work evenings and weekends when necessary

Other Qualifications

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Lake County offers a competitive salary and benefit package. We also offer flexible working hours and a comprehensive wellness and training program. Visit our Prospective Employee page to get additional information on why you should work for Lake County!   

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screening and drug testing. 

Lake County is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (EOE).