THE SALVATION ARMY

NORTH & CENTRAL ILLINOIS DIVISION

Adele and Robert Stern Red Shield Community Center

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Navigator (Caseworker) SCaN Program

LOCATION/DEPT: Red Shield Corps

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

FLSA CATEGORY: Non-Exempt

STATUS TYPE: RFT

OUTCOMES

The Navigator (Caseworker) will serve as the primary contact for youth 14 to 24 years old who are high risk of violence in Englewood and West Englewood community. Youth will provided with robust coordinated care and case intervention that is youth-driven, community-based, and builds on relationships with youth. The Navigator (Caseworker) will also work alongside youth to identify their strengths, priorities, and steps to achieve long-term goals that will stabilize youth in their current environment. As a Navigator (Caseworker) you will ensure that youth are served in a culturally competent manner to meet their immediate needs and help youth feel safe. The Navigator should be active problem solvers with youth to address their immediate and long-term goals without judgment, and should encourage their self-esteem, motivation, wellness, and safety.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Outreach and engagement
   1. Receive and respond to internal or external referrals within 7-10 business days of referral.
   2. Recruit youth through community outreach and engagement with referral partners (e.g., law enforcement, schools, street outreach, community organizations, etc.).
   3. Conduct outreach to referred youth and parent/guardian (if applicable) to discuss the SCaN program's purpose and expectations, verify youth eligibility for the program, receive parent/guardian consent as needed, and enroll youth (e. g., phone call, virtual meeting, home visit, school visit, meeting with the youth and referral partner, etc.)
   4. Build a trusting and supportive relationship with youth through relentless engagement by consistently contacting youth to offer support and connecting with youth's existing network of family, friends, and other individuals involved in the youth's life.
2. Service planning and coordination with youth
   1. Once a youth agrees to enroll in SCaN, create a service and goal plan and assess areas of strength and priorities based on the youth's personal goals and needs, Navigator will co-develop an individualized service plan and long-term goals with youth.
   2. Leverage a robust network of service providers and connect youth with relevant services to support youth's goals and immediate needs (e.g., education, employment, mental health, safety, housing, legal, etc.)
   3. Establish a collaborative relationship with external service providers to serve as a supportive team for mutual clients.
   4. Identify and engage the youths' network of supportive and caring adults and help build the network as needed.
   5. Schedule a facilitate regular "support check-ins" with youth and service providers to assess progress and troubleshoot challenges.
   6. Provide continual support and address any barriers youth may face as they access a complete the services they are connected to through relentless engagement (consistent communication with youth and service providers separately or together)
   7. Provide continual support and address any barriers youth may face as they work towards achieving their goals through relentless engagement (consistent communication with youth and service providers separately or together)
   8. Assess and reassess youth's progress and adjust case plans as needed (e.g., adding/removing goals, adjusting service connections, etc.)
   9. Create transition plans for youth as they complete goals and prepare to exit the SCaN program (e.g., identifying a supportive network beyond the Navigator, listing out steps to complete additional goals, outlining what their future engagement with the delegate agency will entail, etc.)
3. Data Entry and Review
   1. Track and update all youth cases, including the youth case status, in CitySpan.
   2. Track and update each youth's service plan; communication with the youth, youth's support network, and partners; youth's goals, and youth's service connections in CitySpan.

Education and training

1. Participate in Active Contract Management meetings with DFSS and DFSS-sponsored professional development trainings.

Other duties as assigned

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Program Manager.

In contacts related to this position's duties, this individual acts as a representative of The Salvation Army and its mission.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved, as well as the timeliness, accuracy and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.

This individual should be able to follow all SCaN program model policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) and contract and required standards.

A 30, 60, and 90-day performance review will be conducted.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Associate Bachelor degree in social work, Non-Profit Management, Education, or related field preferred.
• At least two years of experience in case management or program management.
• Federal Fingerprint Background check required.
• Current Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid Certification required.
• Illinois Mandated Reporter Training required Certificate, & Acknowledgment of Mandated Reporter Status Form (annual)
• Safe from Harm required.
• Caseworker Certification Program (CCP) within 90 days of employment.
• Must be proficient in common office software programs: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office, and Excel.
• Valid Driver's License and Insurance

COMPETENCIES

• Willing to promote the mission of The Salvation Army.
• Critical thinking, conduct complex data analysis, articulate analysis and evidence based research, and creative problem solving.
• Willingness to learn and participate in Willingness to learn and participate in DFSS-sponsored professional development trainings, meetings, and conferences etc.
• Able to hold responsibility for a diverse number of projects and complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• An attention to detail, procedures, processes and policies.
• A positive attitude and the ability to be flexible considering changing job situations/priorities.
• Well organized; able to navigate multiple priorities at once, maintains flexibility in a work environment.
• Knowledge relevant to counseling youth: youth development, counseling modalities appropriate for youth, effects of abuse and trauma on youth.

POSITION LIMITATIONS

• This individual will only commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will keep the Program Manager informed on all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.
• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is required to do moderate physical work and must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use standard office equipment and PC.
• The work environment for this position includes an office environment with a low noise level.
• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or occasional continuous basis.
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as reference materials, files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead.
• Must be able to work with clients that have poor social skills, suffer from mental illness, have criminal backgrounds, trauma, and have substance abuse problems.
• Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors. This would include but not be limited to such actions: resolution of conflicts in a positive manner; courteous treatment of staff, clients and visitors; respect of others' property and person, professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors and subordinates. Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.