Workforce Development Specialist; Back Yards

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission is to end the cycle of gun violence in Chicago using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles and teachings of nonviolence. Informed by a philosophy of nonviolence, Nonviolence Chicago will establish caring and sustained relationships with participants engaged in the cycle of violence. We emphasize partnerships with community members, leaders, social service providers, and local law enforcement to reduce community levels of violence.

We help create a safer, healthier environment for young adults, youth, and their families. These general approaches are specifically addressed using five major methods:
Community Violence Intervention (CVI)/Street Outreach, Individualized Service Provision, Victim Support Services, Behavioral Health and Nonviolence Training.

The Workforce Development Specialist will facilitate a professional job‑readiness curriculum focused on interviewing techniques, workplace competencies, and socio‑emotional skill‑building for participants from Back of the Yards. When not in the classroom, the specialist oversees participant management, including addressing individual needs, monitoring attendance and assignment completion, and evaluating socio‑emotional skill development. The specialist also completes case notes and provides referrals for additional services when needed.

• Facilitate a professional job‑readiness curriculum for participants from the community.
• Oversee overall participant management, including addressing individual needs, monitoring attendance and assignment completion, and evaluating socio‑emotional development.
• Complete case notes and provide referrals to outside organizations for additional services.
• Assess workforce program effectiveness and provide feedback to supervisors on innovative growth ideas.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director to develop and maintain positive, long‑term relationships with local apprentice programs and employers, creating a pipeline to job placement for program participants.
• Attend community employment‑service activities, connect with employers, job‑readiness training programs, and community organizations, and market the program.
• Assist with planning and execution of a graduation for each cohort of participants.
• Complete required trainings, including cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) training and facilitator coaching.

• Passionate commitment to social justice, equity, and violence reduction in Chicago.
• Minimum two years of experience facilitating workforce training/job readiness training or conducting one‑on‑one career coaching with justice‑involved individuals.
• High School diploma/GED required;
  Bachelor’s degree preferred or at least two years of experience working with formerly incarcerated and/or street‑involved individuals and awareness of trauma reactions.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license and ability to travel independently throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
• Basic computer skills, including research, data entry, email communication, and word‑processing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of the South and Westside communities and current street conflicts.
• Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice, and trauma‑informed practices.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups, lead, and organize presentations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form with a diverse population.
• Ability to meet deadlines, collaborate as part of a team, and respond well to supervisor direction and follow‑up.
• Strong sense of compassion and patience for serving an underserved population.

Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $50,000 and commensurate with experience. Benefits include Health, Life, and 401(k) plans.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the organization complies with applicable state and local nondiscrimination laws in every location where facilities are operated, covering all employment terms and conditions.